Course Title: Digital Communication and Networking: Principles and Applications
Course Description: This course provides a comprehensive overview of digital communication and networking, covering fundamental principles, protocols, technologies, and applications. Students will explore topics such as data transmission, modulation techniques, networking protocols, network architectures, and emerging trends in digital communication systems.
Course Outline:
- Week 1: Introduction to Digital Communication
- Basics of digital communication systems
- Analog vs. digital signals
- Digital modulation techniques (ASK, FSK, PSK, QAM)
- Week 2: Data Transmission and Multiplexing
- Data encoding techniques (NRZ, Manchester encoding, differential encoding)
- Multiplexing techniques (FDM, TDM, CDMA)
- Channel capacity and Shannon’s theorem
- Week 3: Error Detection and Correction
- Parity check and cyclic redundancy check (CRC)
- Forward error correction (FEC) codes (Hamming codes, Reed-Solomon codes)
- Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) protocols
- Week 4: Digital Modulation and Demodulation
- Phase shift keying (PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)
- Frequency shift keying (FSK) and amplitude shift keying (ASK)
- Demodulation techniques (coherent and non-coherent detection)
- Week 5: Networking Basics
- OSI model and TCP/IP model
- Network protocols (TCP, UDP, IP, ICMP)
- Ethernet and wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) protocols
- Week 6: Local Area Networks (LANs)
- Ethernet standards (10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, Gigabit Ethernet)
- LAN technologies (switching, VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol)
- LAN security (MAC filtering, port security)
- Week 7: Wide Area Networks (WANs)
- WAN technologies (leased lines, DSL, cable, fiber-optic)
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and tunneling protocols (IPsec, SSL/TLS)
- WAN optimization and Quality of Service (QoS)
- Week 8: Network Protocols and Services
- DNS (Domain Name System) and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
- Routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, BGP)
- Network Address Translation (NAT) and firewall technologies
- Week 9: Wireless and Mobile Communication
- Wireless communication technologies (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular)
- Mobile networking protocols (GSM, CDMA, LTE)
- Mobile IP and handover mechanisms
- Week 10: Emerging Trends in Digital Communication
- Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication
- Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV)
- 5G and beyond: network slicing, edge computing, and massive MIMO
Course Assignments:
- Weekly readings and discussions on digital communication and networking topics
- Simulation projects using network simulation tools (e.g., Cisco Packet Tracer)
- Case studies on network design and troubleshooting
- Security assessment and analysis of network protocols
- Research paper or presentation on an emerging trend in digital communication
- Final project: Designing a network infrastructure for a specific business scenario
Course Materials:
- Textbook: “Data and Computer Communications” by William Stallings
- Research papers, industry reports, and standards documents on digital communication and networking
- Network simulation software (Packet Tracer, GNS3)
- Security tools and resources for network analysis
- IoT platforms and resources for digital communication applications
Assessment:
- Participation in class discussions and activities
- Quizzes and exams on digital communication and networking principles
- Assignments and projects demonstrating understanding of network protocols and technologies
- Security assessment report and recommendations
- Final project evaluation based on creativity, technical depth, and practical applicability
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of computer science, networking concepts, and programming fundamentals is recommended. Familiarity with basic concepts in digital communication will be beneficial but not mandatory.