About This Course:

Introduction to EECS II: Digital Communication Systems is designed for students who want to understand the structure and operation of communication systems that form the foundation of the digital age. The course systematically explores the conceptual layers of digital communication systems through the three essential components of information transfer: bits, signals, and packets.

Students learn about time- and frequency-domain representations, superposition, probabilistic analysis, and centralized and distributed algorithms used in communication systems—both theoretically and through practical applications. With programming assignments and experiments on real-world communication channels, theoretical concepts are directly translated into engineering practice.

Throughout the course, students develop not only a solid grasp of digital communication fundamentals but also abstraction skills, system design principles, and performance optimization strategies that form a strong foundation for broader topics in electrical engineering and computer science.

Prerequisites:

This course is suitable for students with basic knowledge of mathematics and physics. Prior programming experience is helpful but not required.

Instructors:

Prof. Hari Balakrishnan is a faculty member in MIT's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He specializes in networks, mobile systems, and data transmission. His academic work has made significant contributions to internet infrastructure and reliable communication systems.

Prof. George Verghese is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at MIT. His research focuses on signal processing, system dynamics, and control theory. Well-regarded among students, he is known for his ability to translate theory into practical insight.