Communications Systems Engineering

Increase your knowledge of the basic principles of data communications. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the following topics: analog and digital transmission, voice, video and data processing, open systems interconnect (OSI) model, client-server architectures, bridges and routers, local area and wide area networks, and modern state-of-the-art technologies. An introduction to Ethernet, TCP/IP, other high-speed protocols, broadband communications, and wireless communications is also presented. Participants actively learn through case studies that provide "real-world" scenarios of modern data communication systems.

Familiarize yourself with a "systems analysis approach" to the design and development of modern enterprise networks and systems. Learn how to analyze requirements and technical goals using the latest methods, technologies and tools. A typical communications system design process is discussed including identifying your customer's needs, goals and network configurations; transmission media and technology alternatives, e.g. copper wire, coaxial cable, fiber optics, wireless; system test and reliability; cost and performance analysis; leased versus private facilities; and regulatory and administrative considerations.

Learn what it takes to effectively troubleshoot and analyze enterprise networks. A practical hands-on approach provides participants with a complete and comprehensive experience in all of the latest communications technologies that are in demand today. Utilizing the Network Instruments Observer 9 protocol analyzer, participants increase their understanding of network communications and learn how to scientifically diagnose and repair the most common network problems. This course also provides participants with the information they need to achieve the Network Instruments Certification.

Increase your understanding on how IP works, how upper layer protocols (TCP, ICMP, etc.) use underlying IP transport mechanisms to provide useful network services and how IP addressing and routing allows data to be exchanged in a global network. Learn practical IP design and troubleshooting techniques including analyzing network traces and network performance analysis. Participants benefit from this course by expanding their knowledge of TCP/IP network design and become more proficient in designing and implementing IP addressing and routing schemes.

Gain insight on how to deter intrusions into high-profile networks and information systems. Learn about the many software "tools" available to increase security against hackers and other unwelcome "guests." Increase your knowledge on how to secure your network by learning how to use these "tools" and configure them. Practical, hands-on instruction provides participants a thorough knowledge of NAT (Network Address Translation), PAT (Port Address Translation), Firewalls, Reflexive Access Lists, CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol), MD5 Hashing, and VLAN's (Virtual LAN's).

Increase your understanding of the unique balance between the technical and strategic issues facing the wireless communications industry today. Participants gain practical knowledge on wireless communications technologies, business trends, and other issues. Enhance your understanding of topics that include: cellular concept and capacity, propagation effects, network evolution paths to 3G and associated IP, modulation, strategic marketing trends in 2.5G and 3G, WLAN, Bluetooth, CDMA, GPRS/EDGE/UMTS, market forecasts, multiple access and major cellular systems including GSM, TDMA and CDMA.

Proper design of wireless systems requires a thorough engineering analysis of the components and system parameters being considered. This course benefits individuals involved in the design and development of wireless communications electronics systems. This is a broad course describing various components used in any transmitter and/or receiver systems. The course covers wireless system architectures and performances as well as provides a comprehensive overview of automatic gain control (AGC), power amplifiers (PA), low noise amplifiers (LNA), oscillators (OSC), voltage controlled oscillators (VCO), phase-locked loop (PLL), modulators (MOD), demodulators (DEMOD), mixers, analog-to-digital converters (ADC), digital-to-analog converters (DAC), and antennas (ANT).

Explore the exciting field of digital communications and networking from a hardware perspective, specifically digital hardware design. Familiarize yourself with data transfer protocols necessary for the hardware implementation of a WAN or a LAN. Participants learn how to incorporate IP (Intellectual Property) into an IC design (i.e., microprocessor, RAM, etc.) to form a SoC (System on a Chip). Learn how to create a simplified 3-layer LAN configured for data transmission with a development board using Verilog or VHDL.

Increase your knowledge of DSP technology by learning the mathematical modeling of signals and mathematical techniques to solve complex tasks in contrast to conventional analog techniques. The digital signal processing system is reviewed detailing analog-to-digital conversion, signal processing, and digital-to-analog conversions. Participants learn how to perform fundamental digital filtering along with classical filter design methods, realizations of finite impulse response (FIR) filters, and infinite impulse response (IIR) filters. Software tools are used to simulate and analyze digital signals.

Gain new insights on the inner workings of Digital Television (DTV). Enhance your knowledge of the principles of television transmission and the advantages and challenges of data delivery through terrestrial, satellite and cable networks. Gain an understanding of the DTV layered architecture, DTV transmission requirements, multiplexing, MPEG switching, audio components, and compatibility with traditional analog TV. Enhance your knowledge of topics that include: decoding issues, display problems, format conversion, baseband data stream handling, and conditional access.

The rapid development of digital technology has lead to increased use of electronic encryption and the need for secured communications. Increase your familiarity of the mathematics behind cryptology and basic cryptographic algorithms. Learn real and practical cryptographic systems that are used for communications such as IPSec, Secure Sockets Layer Security (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TSL), and virtual private networks (VPN), as well as methods for securing information, digital signatures, and DRM (Digital Rights Management). Further your understanding of the technical issues of implementation and proper use of cryptography.