A Comprehensive Suite Of Tools For Teaching Communications Courses
- Conference
- Location
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Chicago, Illinois
- Publication Date
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June 18, 2006
- Start Date
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June 18, 2006
- End Date
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June 21, 2006
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Computers in Education
- Page Count
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13
- Page Numbers
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11.33.1 - 11.33.13
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--913
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/913
- Download Count
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489
Paper Authors
Robert Kubichek University of Wyoming
Robert F. Kubichek has been with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Wyoming since 1991. His current research interests include communications and signal processing with applications to speech and remote sensing. E-mail: kubichek@uwyo.edu
Thad Welch U.S. Naval Academy
Thad B. Welch, Ph.D, P.E., is with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD. He was a visiting scholar at the University of Wyoming in Fall 2004. His research interests include the implementation of communication systems using DSP techniques,DSP education, multicarrier communication systems analysis, and RF signal propagation. Commander Welch is a member of ASEE, IEEE, Tau Beta Pi, and Eta Kappa Nu. E-mail: t.b.welch@ieee.org
Cameron Wright
University of Wyoming
orcid.org/0000-0002-6029-1896
Cameron H. G. Wright, Ph.D, P.E., is with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY. His research interests include signal and image processing, real-time embedded computer systems, biomedical instrumentation, and wireless/satellite communications systems. He is a member of ASEE, IEEE, SPIE, NSPE, Tau Beta Pi, and Eta Kappa Nu. E-mail: c.h.g.wright@ieee.org
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
A Comprehensive Suite of Tools for Teaching Communications Courses
Abstract
Both the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Wyoming offer a wide variety of electrical engineering courses concerning communications. Additionally, required design courses offer opportunities for exposure to a wide variety of real-world communication systems and topics. Whether these courses are discussing the basics of analog and digital communications, or the details of advanced digital modulation schemes and error performance, until very recently, we have found it exceeding difficult to perform communications systems demonstrations and the subsequent signal analysis without a phenomenal amount of specialized hardware and personal effort. This all changed when both schools started using a National Instrument (NI) vector signal analyzer (VSA) and vector signal generator (VSG). Both of these functions are contained within a standalone PXI chassis. These hardware functions are enabled and controlled by LabView and the vast array of toolkits available from NI. This paper discusses the use of this hardware and software in both the lecture and design environment.
1 Introduction
Both the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Wyoming offer a wide variety of electrical engineering courses concerning communications. This includes, but is not limited to, Introductory Communications Theory, Modern Communications Systems, Data Networks, Fiber Optics, and Wireless and Cellular Communications Systems. Additionally, required design courses offer opportunities for exposure to a wide variety of real-world communication systems and topics.
Whether these courses are discussing the basics of analog and digital communications, or the details of advanced digital modulation schemes and error performance, until very recently, we have found it exceeding difficult to perform communications systems demonstrations and the subsequent signal analysis without a phenomenal amount of specialized hardware and personal effort. This all changed when both schools started using a National Instrument (NI) vector signal analyzer (VSA) and vector signal generator (VSG). Both of these functions are contained within the standalone PXI chassis shown in Figure 1. These hardware functions are enabled and controlled by LabView and the vast array of toolkits available from NI.
The use of spectrum analyzers in the classroom is not new. Mehrl, et al.1 proposed a PC soundboard based audio-band spectrum analyzer, while Morrow, et al. introduced more powerful real-time DSP hardware-based spectrum analyzers.2 Although these systems are useful, their limited frequency range severely restricts the range of applications that can be studied.
Kubichek, R., & Welch, T., & Wright, C. (2006, June), A Comprehensive Suite Of Tools For Teaching Communications Courses Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--913
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