Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - ENSC 805 G100

Digital Communications (3)

Class Number: 2167

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Tue, Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 21, 2026
    Fri, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Recommended: ENSC 380 or equivalent, ENSC 280 or equivalent.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course discusses the fundamental techniques used in the physical layer of a digital communication system. The main topics are as follow: digital modulation, including complex baseband representations, the concept of the signal space, optimal demodulation, bit error probability analysis, as well as timing and carrier recovery; error control techniques, including soft decision decoding and the Viterbi algorithms; and various kinds of equalization (linear, decision feedback, and maximum likelihood sequences estimation). Sub topics of the equalization section include pulse shaping and eye diagrams. The emphasis may vary slightly in different offerings.

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.