MIT Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Fall 2000 Catalogue Supplement

6.976 Advanced Special Subject in Information and Control Engineering (H)

MW 9-10:30, NEW ROOM 35-338
Prof. Vincent Chan, Room 35-308, 8-8222, Prof. Eytan Modiano, Room 33-219, 3-7483
Prereq.:
3-0-9

Qualifies as a subject in the Communications Control Signal Processing Engineering Concentration

Summary

This course will introduce applications, technologies, architecture concepts and analytical methodologies of space communications and networks. Technologies will be discussed in the context of architectural building blocks and the span of high level system architectures will be explored highlighting the similarities and differences between space and terrestrial systems. Topics include: satcom systems overview, services and service abstractions, RF communications subsystems, laser crosslinks, networking and design examples.

Prerequisites: linear system theory, probability, and graduate level introductory communication theory course such as 6.401/6.450 or equivalent.

Topics

1. Overview and applications of satellite communications and networks (1/2)

2. High level architecture concepts (1)

3. Space communication links (5)

- RF links (3.5) - communication channel (path loss, antenna gain, noise, fading) - nonlinear amplifiers - bandwidth efficient modulation and coding - adaptive systems and antenna arrays - Optical crosslinks (1.5)

4. Multiple access (1) - Frequency allocation and reuse - Frequency, time and code division multiple access, spread spectrum

5. Networks (2.5) - Data link and medium access control - Routing - Transport layer - Internetworking

6. Design examples (1)

7. Design exercises (1)