A First Course in Digital Communications

Covers the fundamentals in sufficient detail to allow students to master the basics without being overwhelmed

Communication technology has become pervasive in the modern world, and ever more complex. Focusing on the most basic ideas, this carefully paced, logically structured textbook is packed with insights and illustrative examples, making this an ideal introduction to modern digital communication. Examples with step-by-step solutions help with the assimilation of theoretical ideas, and MATLAB exercises develop confidence in applying mathematical concepts to real-world problems.

Right from the start the authors use the signal space approach to give students an intuitive feel for the modulation/demodulation process. After a review of signals and random processes, they describe core topics and techniques such as source coding, baseband transmission, modulation, and synchronization. The book closes with coverage of advanced topics such as trellis-coding, CMDA, and space-time codes to stimulate further study. This is an ideal textbook for anyone who wants to learn about modern digital communication.

About the Authors

Ha H. Nguyen received the BEng degree from the Hanoi University of Technology (HUT), Hanoi, Vietnam, in 1995, the MEng degree from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok, Thailand, in 1997, and the PhD degree from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, in 2001, all in electrical engineering. He joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, in 2001, and became a full Professor in 2007. He holds adjunct appointments at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, and TRLabs, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, and was a Senior Visiting Fellow in the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia from October 2007 to June 2008.

Ed Shwedyk is a Senior Scholar at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Manitoba, Canada. Since joining the Department in 1974, Professor Shwedyk has developed and taught many courses, including signals and systems, digital communications, information theory and coding, at both undergraduate and graduate level. In 1979 he received the Outstanding IEEE Student Counsellor Award for his role in setting up the first IEEE McNaughton Centre. In 2000 he won the University of Manitoba's Dr H. Saunderson Award for Teaching Excellence.