Digital Communication Course with GNU Radio | IIT Bombay Prof. Kumar Appaiah
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 167 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Communication and Signal Processing |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 18 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the World of Modern Communication with GNU Radio
In today's hyper-connected world, the principles of digital communication form the backbone of everything from your smartphone's 5G connection to high-speed fiber-optic internet. Understanding these principles is crucial for any aspiring engineer or industry professional. A new, comprehensive 12-week course, Digital Communication using GNU Radio, offered by a leading expert from IIT Bombay, provides the perfect blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical experience to master this vital field.
Meet Your Instructor: Expert Guidance from IIT Bombay
This course is led by Prof. Kumar Appaiah of the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Bombay. Prof. Appaiah brings a wealth of academic and industry expertise to the table. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and has valuable industry experience as a Senior Engineer at Qualcomm Flarion Technologies. His research focuses on signal processing for optical and wireless communication systems, ensuring the course content is both cutting-edge and industry-relevant.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is meticulously designed for a specific audience to ensure maximum benefit:
- Students: Third and Fourth-year Undergraduate (UG) and first-year Postgraduate (PG) students in Electrical Engineering (EE) or Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE).
- Industry Professionals: Engineers and technical participants working in communication engineering seeking to solidify their fundamentals and gain practical software-defined radio (SDR) skills.
- Prerequisites: A solid understanding of Signals and Systems and Probability and Random Processes is required to fully grasp the course material.
Why This Course is a Game-Changer
The unique value of this course lies in its practical approach. Instead of just learning theory, you will use the powerful, open-source GNU Radio software framework. This allows you to design, simulate, build, and analyze real-world communication system models visually and with ease. From simple analog modulators to complex Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems, you will see the theory come to life.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is structured to take you from foundational concepts to advanced topics systematically. Here is a week-by-week breakdown:
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | The GNU Radio Signal Model |
| Week 2 | Complex Baseband Model and Analog Modulation |
| Week 3 | Transmission Spectrum, Bandwidth and Pulse Design |
| Week 4 | Digital Modulation, Detection and Noise |
| Week 5 | Digital Modulation, Detection and Noise (contd.) |
| Week 6 | Symbol Errors and Bit Errors |
| Week 7 | Matched Filtering, Synchronization and Channel Estimation |
| Week 8 | Matched Filtering, Synchronization and Channel Estimation (contd.) |
| Week 9 | Digital Equalization |
| Week 10 | Channels with Inter-Symbol Interference and OFDM |
| Week 11 | Introduction to Binary Error Control Coding |
| Week 12 | Miscellaneous Topics on GNU Radio and Digital Communication |
Essential Reading Material
To complement the lectures and hands-on sessions, the course references several authoritative textbooks, including:
- Fundamentals of Digital Communication by Upamanyu Madhow
- Principles of Digital Communication by Robert Gallager
- Digital Communications, Fifth Edition by John G. Proakis
Industry Relevance: Your Pathway to Top Tech Firms
The skills acquired in this course are directly applicable in the world's leading technology companies. Industries involved in designing chipsets, communication protocols, network infrastructure, and consumer devices actively seek professionals with this expertise. This course is highly relevant for roles at companies like:
- Qualcomm, Samsung, Huawei (Mobile & Wireless Tech)
- Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta (Consumer Tech & Platforms)
- Marvell (Semiconductors & Infrastructure)
By completing this course, you will not only gain a deep understanding of digital communication fundamentals but also develop proficiency with GNU Radio, a highly sought-after skill in research, development, and testing roles within the communications sector.
Conclusion: Build Your Future in Communications
The Digital Communication using GNU Radio course is more than just an academic module; it's a practical toolkit for the modern communication engineer. Under the guidance of Prof. Kumar Appaiah, you will bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and their real-world implementation. Whether you aim to excel in academia, crack placements at top tech firms, or upskill for your current role, this 12-week journey provides the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in the dynamic field of digital communications. Enroll today and start building the systems that will connect the future.
Enroll Now →