Technological University of the Philippines – Manila

College of Engineering
ECE Department

Assignment 1
Introduction to Digital Communication

NAME DATE
SECTION INSTRUCTOR

Instruction: Answer the following questions.

Part 1: Key Concepts in Digital Communications

1. Define Digital Communication.

• What is digital communication? Explain its significance in modern communication systems.
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2. Key Terms in Digital Communications:

Match the following terms with their correct definitions:
• Modulation
• Bit Rate
• Sampling
• Quantization
• Encoding
a. _______________: The process of converting analog signals into a series of numbers for digital
representation.
b. _______________: The number of bits transmitted per second in a communication system.
c. _______________: The process of converting information into a digital form for efficient transmission and
storage.
d. _______________: The process of converting analog signals to digital by measuring the signal at discrete
intervals.
e. _______________: The process of varying a carrier signal according to the digital data to transmit
information.

3. Briefly explain how digital communication differs from analog communication.

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Part 2: Examples of Digital Communication Systems

1. Identify and describe at least three examples of digital communication systems commonly used today.
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2. Explain the role of digital communication in each of the systems identified above.
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Part 3: Difference Between Analog and Digital Communication

1. Fill in the table below comparing analog and digital communication:

Feature Analog Communication Digital Communication
Signal Type
Bandwidth Requirement
Noise Resistance
Transmission Quality
Example

2. Why might some analog communications still be in use despite the advantages of digital communication?
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Part 4: Block Diagram of a Typical Digital Communications Network

1. Study the block diagram of a typical digital communication system below:

[Information Source] → [Input Transducer] → [Source Encoder] → [Channel Encoder] → [Channel] → [Channel
Decoder] → [Source Decoder] → [Output Transducer] → [Receiver]

2. Explain the function of each block in the diagram:

• Information Source:
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• Input Transducer:
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• Source Encoder:
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• Channel Encoder:
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• Channel:
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 • Channel Decoder:
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• Source Decoder:
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• Output Transducer:
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• Receiver:
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3. Provide an example of each block in the context of a real-world digital communication system (e.g., mobile
phone communication).
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Part 5: Critical Thinking

1. Discuss the importance of digital communication in today's society. How has it impacted the way we
communicate?
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2. Predict how digital communication might evolve in the next decade. What innovations do you foresee?
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