Writing Lecture Diary

• Lecture Diary summarizes the essential elements of a lecture, gives critical view of the discussed topic(s) and points out your own way of understanding. Therefore, its purpose is to develop critical thinking and reassure that you have got a grip what was discussed.

• It is strongly recommended that you use library / Web to get more information; especially for the facts you don't understand. You may also discuss the lecture topics at the tutorials.

• Don't speculate - give arguments for your statements and observations! The best way to give criticism is to first analyze the current theory (status) and then to suggest a justified and applicable improvement!

• A well-done Lecture Diary is also a splendid tool for preparing to exam!

• Lecture Diary is also a diagnostic tool: If it appears that you have difficulties in writing it you have not been able to follow the lecture. In this case, try to find the reason as soon as possible!

• Note that you probably don't have time to write the diary during the lecture (you make only short notes) but you should write the complete version as soon as possible (when you still remember the lecture).
  
• Familiarize yourself with the example Lecture Diary at the end of this document

Contents
Discuss what were the essential elements of this lecture? (Do not copy lecturing slides but use your own words!) Use figures! You may use Mind Mapping chart to show the logical connections of the lecture topics.

Motivation
Discuss why these concepts and this information is important for science, society and you. Suggest if the studying of this topic could be made more fruitful.

Understanding
Give a critical point of view of a single lecturing topic: How this could be applied, why it should be applied! Discuss what you could not comprehend! How this lecturing topic could be illustrated?

Applications
What is a consequence of this topic with respect of applications? Where and how this topic is applied?
 
 

LECTURE DIARY 1.4.2005 (example)

Student: Mathew Matts 22341G (matts@hut.fi)

Lecture topic: Exponential Modulation

Contents: This lecture discussed about exponential modulation that is used for instance in FM-radios. In analysis of FM we noticed that it can not be analyzed as simply as linear modulation techniques. Therefore one must use a set of special cases to find out how it works. This is done gradually such that first narrow band modulation is discussed and then wideband modulation with tones and finally wideband modulation with arbitrary modulation signal. This was used also to determine the required bandwidth. Detection of FM was discussed. It was interesting to note that FM and AM detection carries some similarities as shown in the figure below:

                                                                           

Motivation: Considering EM is important for two reasons. First is gives a set of ideas to analyze non-linear systems. One can see that their analysis is not necessary more difficult than analyzing linear systems but one needs to have a grip how problems can be simplified or to extract the essential elements. Secondly, analyzing EM forms basics to understand phase shift keying modulation, for instance its spectral presentations.

Understanding: In this lecture understanding of FM-AM conversion was interesting. It is a handy way to convert phase changes to amplitude changes for detection. One must use limiters to cut-out channel introduced amplitude distortion. Also channel may introduce FM-AM conversion that is alleviated by equalizer. Therefore, this is an interesting topic having many applications. Also software radio was discussed that I got so interested that I went to the Web and found an interesting article (http://www.nml.org/n_1999-3.htm). Only a brief look revealed that the introduction of A/D conversion can change receiver structure a great deal. However, signal properties are still the same - only their processing is now based on making DSP-based calculations. I wonder if there exists any simulation tools that can be used to study software radios more closely?

Applications: EM is used because it can dramatically improve post detection SNR still this is paid by increased transmission bandwidth. EM is applied in analog radios and in TVs sound channel. Various phase modulation techniques as QPSK and M-PSK are a form of EM. GSM - system applies Gaussian Shift Keying that is a filtered phase modulation technique having narrow bandwidth and smooth envelope. In the web page I found that in modern digital systems, as in satellite or in cellular communications, M-level EM is practically always combined to efficient channel coding as Turbo-coding or concatenated coding.

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Practical notes

In order to realize flexible diary management, please follow the listed simple rules:

1. Deadline : Lecture diaries should be returned to the mailbox within one week from the lecture. 
2. Place of return: To the mailbox (2nd floor of E-wing).
3. Note on diary format :
• Follow the lecture diary guidelines given in the section above.
• For typesetting use word processors or clear handwriting.
• Include your name, student number, and email on the left top corner as well as lecture title.
4. In case you fail to return a diary in time or wish to return your diary by email, please contact the lecture assistant