CMR Institute of Technology, Bengaluru

Department of ECE
Digital Communication (18EC61)
Note These are the frequently asked and most expected questions in VTU exams. From VTU exam point of
1 view, you are strongly advised to learn to answer these questions first and only later take up other
questions.
Note Module-5 is the easiest of all. Study all topics of module-5 and consider answering module-5 questions first
2 in VTU exam.

Module-1
S.No. Question Assign Ques
ment tion
No. No.
1 Define Hilbert Transform. Draw the magnitude response and phase response of Hilbert 1 1,2,3
transformer. List the properties of Hilbert transform.
(VTU, June 2018, 6 Marks)
2 Define Hilbert transform. What are its applications? Prove that a signal 𝑔(𝑡) and its 1 1,39,3
Hilbert transform 𝑔˜(𝑡) are orthogonal over the entire time interval (−∞, ∞).
(VTU, Dec 2018, 5 Marks)
3 Obtain the Hilbert transform of 1 4,5,6,
i. 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑒 −𝑗2𝜋𝐹𝑡 7
ii. 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜋𝐹𝑡 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝜋𝐹𝑡
(VTU, Dec 2019, 4 Marks)
4 Find the Hilbert transform of the signal 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐(𝑡). 1 13
(VTU, Jun 2019, 4 Marks)
5 Explain pre-envelope and complex envelope of bandpass signals. 1 16
(VTU Model Question Paper, 8 Marks)
6 Obtain the canonical representation of bandpass signals. 1 20
(VTU, Dec 2019, 8 Marks)
7 What is line coding? For the binary stream 011010, sketch the following line codes. 1 27
a) Unipolar NRZ
b) Polar NRZ
c) Unipolar RZ
d) Bipolar NRZ (Alternate Mark Inversion Coding) (AMI Coding)
e) Manchester
(VTU, June 2018, 6 Marks)
8 Define pre-envelope of a real valued signal. Given a bandpass signal 𝑠(𝑡), sketch the 1 16
amplitude spectra of 𝑠(𝑡), pre-envelope 𝑠+ (𝑡), and complex envelope 𝑠˜ (𝑡).
(VTU, June 2018, 4 Marks)
9 Derive the expression for the complex lowpass representation of bandpass systems. 1 36
(VTU, Dec 2019, 8 Marks)
10 Write a note on HDBN signaling. 1 35(a)
(VTU, June 2018, 8 Marks)
11 Determine the pre-envelope and complex envelope of RF pulse defined by 1 38
𝑥(𝑡) = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 ( 𝑡 ) cos(2𝜋f𝑐𝑡).
𝑇
(VTU, Dec 2018, 6 Marks)
12 Compare the power spectra of various line codes in terms of bandwidth, DC component, 1 27
noise immunity, and synchronization capability with a neat sketch.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 5 Marks)
13 Express bandpass signal 𝑠(𝑡) in canonical form. Also explain the scheme for deriving the 1 20
inphase and quadrature components of the bandpass signal 𝑠(𝑡).
(VTU, Dec 2018, 6 Marks)
 14 Explain with relevant expressions the procedure for computational analysis of a bandpass 1 36
system driven by a bandpass signal.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 6 Marks)
15 What is the advantage of HDB3 code over conventional alternate mark inversion (AMI) 1 35, 42
code? Code the pattern "1010000011000011000000" using HDB3, B3ZS, B6ZS and
AMI encoding.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 4 Marks)
(Note : AMI coding means NRZ Bipolar Signaling)
16 Derive an expression for the power spectral density of polar NRZ signals and plot the 1 31,32,
spectrum. 33,34
(VTU Model Question Paper, 6 Marks)

Module-2
S.No. Question Assign Ques
ment tion
No. No.
1 Explain Gram-Schmidt Orthogonalization procedure. 2 1
(VTU, June 2018, 6 Marks)
2 Explain the geometric representation of signals. Show that the energy of the signal is equal 2 2,5
to squared length of the vector representing it.
(VTU, June 2018, 8 Marks)
3 Explain the geometric representation of a set of 𝑀 energy signals as a linear combination 2 2
of 𝑁 orthonormal basis functions. Illustrate for the case 𝑁 = 2 and 𝑀 = 3, with necessary
diagrams and expressions.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 8 Marks)
4 Using the Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization procedure, find an orthonormal basis 2 7
for this set of signals and construct the corresponding signal-space diagram.
𝑇
𝑠1 𝑡 = 1, 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤
3
2𝑇
𝑠2 𝑡 = 1, 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤
3
𝑇
𝑠3 𝑡 = 1, ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 𝑇
3
𝑠4 𝑡 = 1, 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 𝑇
(VTU Model Question Paper, 9 Marks)
5 Using Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization procedure, find a set of orthonormal basis 2 20
functions to represent the following signals. Draw the signal space diagram.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 8 Marks)

6 Derive the expressions for mean and variance of correlator outputs. Also show that 2 15
correlator outputs are statistically independent.
(VTU, June 2018, 8 Marks)
 7 Obtain the maximum likelihood detection rule for the signal detection problem. 2 16
(VTU, June 2018, 10 Marks)
8 Explain the correlation receiver with neat diagrams and explanation of detector and the 2 17
maximum likelihood detector blocks.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 8 Marks)
9 Explain the matched filter receiver. Obtain the expression for the impulse response of the 2 18
matched filter.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 8 Marks)
Module-3
S.No. Question Assign Ques
ment tion
No. No.
1 Explain the signal space representation for binary phase shift keying modulation. Also, 3 2
derive the expression for probability of error for binary phase shift keying.
(VTU, June 2018, 10 Marks)
2 With a neat block diagram, explain the generation and coherent detection of QPSK signals. 3 4
(VTU, June 2018, 6 Marks)
3 With a neat block diagram, explain the non-coherent detection of binary frequency shift 3 10
keying technique.
(VTU, June 2018, 4 Marks)
4 Derive an expression for probability of error of binary frequency shift keying technique. 3 3
Also, draw the block diagram of BFSK transmitter and coherent receiver.
(VTU, June 2018, 10 Marks)
5 For the binary sequence given by "10010011", illustrate the operation of DPSK. 3 8
(VTU, June 2018, 2 Marks)
6 Derive the expression for error probability of binary PSK using coherent detection. 3 2
(VTU, Dec 2018, 6 Marks)
7 Binary data are transmitted over a microwave link at the rate of 106 bits per second. Power 3 11
spectral density of noise at the receiver input is 10−10 Watt/Hz. Find the average carrier
power required to maintain an average probability of error 𝑃𝑒 ≤ 10−4 for the following
cases.
(a) Binary PSK using coherent detection
(b) DPSK
Note : take 𝑄(3.7) = 10−4
(VTU, Dec 2018, 6 Marks)
8 Define bandwidth efficiency. Tabulate and comment on the bandwidth efficiency of M-ary 3 12
PSK signals for different values of M.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 4 Marks)
9 With neat block diagrams and expressions, explain binary FSK generation and non- 3 3,10
coherent detection scheme.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 6 Marks)
10 Explain the generation and optimum detection of differential phase shift keying with neat 3 8
block diagram.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 6 Marks)
11 What is the advantage of M-ary QAM over M-ary PSK system? Obtain the constellation of 3 7
QAM for M=4 and draw signal space diagram.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 4 Marks)
12 Given the input binary sequence 1100100001, sketch the waveforms of the inphase and 3 5
quadrature components of modulated wave and sketch the QPSK signal.
(VTU Model Question Paper, 5 Marks)
 Module-4
S.No. Question Assign Ques
ment tion
No. No.
1 With a neat block diagram of digital PAM system, obtain the expression for inter symbol 4 2
interference (ISI).
(VTU, June 2018, 6 Marks)
(Note : Derive upto equation 4)
2 State and prove Nyquist condition for zero ISI. 4 2
(VTU, June 2018, 6 Marks)
(Note : Derive upto equation 11)
3 For the binary data "11101001", determine the precoded sequence, transmitted sequence, 4 8
received sequence and decoded sequence.
(VTU, June 2018, 4 Marks)
4 Explain the design of bandlimited signals with controlled ISI. 4 6
(VTU, June 2018, 10 Marks)
(Note : Bandlimited signal with controlled ISI implies duobinary coding)
5 What is zero forcing equalizer? With a neat block diagram, explain the operation of linear 4 16
transversal filter.
(VTU, June 2018, 6 Marks)
6 With a neat block diagram, explain the digital PAM transmission through bandlimited 4 2
baseband channels. Also obtain the expression for inter symbol interference.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 6 Marks)
(Note : Derive upto equation 4)
7 Explain modified duobinary coding with precoding. Illustrate the encoding for the binary 4 9,11
sequence "011100101". Assume previous precoder output as 1.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 7 Marks)
8 With a neat diagram, explain the timing features pertaining to eye diagram and its 4 12
interpretation for baseband binary data transmission system.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 3 Marks)
9 With neat sketches and expressions, explain raised cosine spectrum solution to reduce ISI. 4 4
(VTU, Dec 2018, 6 Marks)
10 What is the advantage of controlled ISI partial response signaling scheme? With block 4 6
diagram, explain the duobinary encoder with precoder. Mention the frequency response,
impulse response and its features.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 6 Marks)
(Note : partial response signaling means duobinary signaling)
11 With neat block diagram and relevant expressions, explain the concept of adaptive 4 17
equalization.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 4 Marks)
Module-5
S.No. Question Assign Ques
ment tion
No. No.
1 Explain the model of a spread spectrum digital communication system. 5 1
(VTU, June 2018, 6 Marks)
2 Explain the generation and demodulation of direct sequence spread spectrum signals with 5 5
necessary equation and block diagram.
(VTU, June 2018, 7 Marks)
3 Write a note on low detectability signal transmission as an application of direct sequence 5 16
spread spectrum.
(VTU, June 2018, 3 Marks)
4 With a neat block diagram, explain frequency hopped spread spectrum. 5 12
(VTU, June 2018, 7 Marks)
5 Explain the effect of despreading on a narrow band interference in direct sequence spread 5 6
spectrum analysis.
(VTU, June 2018, 6 Marks)
6 A direct sequence spread spectrum signal is designed to have the power ratio 𝑃𝑅 at the 5 11
𝑃𝑁
intended receiver 10−2. If the desired 𝐸𝑏 = 10 for acceptable performance, determine the
𝑁0
minimum value of processing gain.
(VTU, June 2018, 3 Marks)
7 Write a note on code division multiple access as an application of direct sequence spread 5 14
spectrum.
(VTU, June 2018, 4 Marks)
8 Explain the working of direct sequence spread spectrum transmitter and receiver with neat 5 5
diagram, waveform and expressions.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 8 Marks)
9 A slow frequency hopped/MFSK system has the following parameters. 5 13
(a) Number of bits per MFSK symbol = 4
(b) Number of MFSK symbols per hop = 5
Calculate the processing gain of the system in decibels.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 3 Marks)
10 List and briefly explain any 3 applications of direct sequence spread spectrum. 5 14,15,
(VTU, Dec 2018, 5 Marks) 16,17
11 Explain the terms processing gain and jamming margin. 5 7
(VTU, Dec 2018, 4 Marks)
12 What is a PN sequence? Explain the generation of maximum length (ML) sequences. What 5 2,3
are the properties of ML sequences?
(VTU, Dec 2018, 4 Marks)
13 In a DS/BPSK system, the feedback shift register used o generate the PN sequence has 5 9
length 𝑚 = 19. The system is required to have an average probability of symbol error due
to externally generated interfering signals that does not exceed 10−5. Calculate the
following system parameters in decibels.
(a) Processing gain
(b) Antijam margin
Assume 𝑄(4.25) = 10−5.
(VTU, Dec 2018, 4 Marks)
14 Draw the 4 stage linear feedback shift register with 1st and 4th stage is connected to 5 4
Modulo-2 adder. Output of Modulo-2 is connected to 1st stage input. Find the
output PN sequence and verify the properties.
(VTU Model Question Paper, 6 Marks)
15 With a neat block diagram, explain the CDMA reverse link based on IS-95. 5 18
(VTU Model Question Paper, 7 Marks)
16 With a neat block diagram, explain the CDMA forward link based on IS-95.
(VTU Model Question Paper, 7 Marks)
17 Write a short note on application of spread spectrum in wireless LANs. 5 17
(VTU Model Question Paper, 3 Marks)