What the syllabus asks you to cover
Process of Analog to Digital Communication system, Source Coding, Pulse Modulation Technique, Pulse Code Modulation, Types of Quantization, Quantization Noise. Shannon Hartly channel capacity theorem. Multiplexing.
Start here for the core ideas. A dedicated GitBook topic page was not available; this original guide is introductory. Use the syllabus checklist and references below to study the remaining details.
Separate sampling, coding and modulation
Sampling converts time to a discrete index. Quantization maps amplitude to a finite set of levels. Binary coding assigns bits to those levels. Digital modulation maps one or more bits onto a waveform or constellation symbol. These are different operations and need not happen at the same place in every system.
Compare rates and errors
For an uncoded constellation of equally labelled symbols, each symbol carries bits. Thus before coding and framing overhead. Increasing constellation size can improve spectral efficiency but changes the required signal quality and receiver complexity.
Try it
An ideal QPSK mapper carries two bits per symbol. At 10 ksymbol/s, its uncoded bit rate is 20 kbit/s. This does not by itself establish the required bandwidth or the achievable error rate.
Check your understanding
Compare ASK, FSK, PSK and QAM. Explain how PCM differs from digital carrier modulation. Continue with decision regions, detection and error-probability exercises.
Pause and recall
Without looking back, explain the main idea, recall a key definition or formula, and describe when it applies. Include assumptions and units where relevant. Revisit any step you could not explain.