Learning objectives
The goal of the course is to provide the student with basic knowledge on architectures and protocols for communication networks. The course will also overview the main issues related to the transmission and reception of audio and video contents through a communication network.
At the end of the course the student will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in order to analyze and design architectures and protocols of a communication network for the transmission and reception of multimedia content.
Prerequisites
No previous knowledge is required.
Course unit content
Network architectures and protocols. The Internet. Digital representation of information and encoding of multimedia data. Architectures and protocols for multimedia communications.
Full programme
PART 1: Introduction and communication networks
- Introduction to the concept of digital information
- Introduction to communication systems and networks
- Protocol architectures and communication models
- Hints on lower architectural levels: physical and access layers
- Internet and the TCP/IP suite
PART 2: Multimedia communications
- Digitalization of the information and its processing
- Encoding of multimedia information
- Protocols for multimedia communications
- Overview on the main wireless technologies suitable for multimedia communications
Bibliography
Lectures will be based on material produced by the instructor and available to the students. Other reference books are the following.
[1] A. Pattavina, “Reti di telecomunicazione - Networking e Internet”, McGraw-Hill, 2007.
[2] Z. Li, M. Drew e J. Liu, “Fundamentals of Multimedia”, Springer, 2014.
Teaching methods
The course is divided into theoretical lessons and classroom exercise sessions. There will be some complementary laboratory sessions to also acquire practice with proper software tools.
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination is based on a written test possibly followed by an oral discussion. It is foreseen the use of on-going evaluation.
Other information
Related information and material will be published on a properly prepared course webpage.