This course examines modern digital communications networks, with particular emphasis on wired networks at the physical layer and the TCP/IP network model above the physical layer. The study of digital communications systems includes waveform sampling, time multiplexing, line coding, digital modulation, and clock recovery techniques. Time and frequency domain analysis are the basis for study of bandwidth considerations, filtering, and channel and communication system modeling. Network topology, traffic representation, and link capacity assignment schemes are analyzed. Cost and time delay optimization for centralized and distributed networks are investigated. Queuing theory is presented with application to buffer modeling, buffer design considerations, and throughput constraints. Basic network design algorithms and flow control schemes are also covered. A communications system project brings these concepts to reality.
