ECE 101 An Introduction to Information

Technology

Introduction to ECE 101

Course Objectives

• To introduce Information Technology as a key and integral part of Electrical Engineering

• To introduce some basic terms and concepts of Information technology and Electrical Engineering

• To introduce the different aspects of Electrical Engineering

• To introduce societal implications of IT and EE including ethics and professionalism

• Along the way, to have fun with our learning

Electrical Engineering

• Communications (including Telecommunications and Networks)

• Signal Processing• Computer Engineering• Control Systems• Electromagnetics and Microwaves• Electronics and Photonics• Power Engineering

Signals and Information

• Signal – A physical representation of a process, such as electronic impulses, light or sound waves

• Message – the Content of the signal, such as am or fm modulation, binary words

• Information – Knowledge that can be extracted from a message

Information Definition

• Definition – – Quantity needed by a system to complete a task

(Kuc)– Knowledge communicated or received

concerning a particular fact or circumstance (dictionary)

• Reliability of storing and communicating• Analog vs Digital

Information Path

InformationDestination

Information Processor

& Transmitter

InformationReceiver and

Processor

Source ofInformation

DigitalSensor

TransmissionMedium

Course Content -1• Information Introduction – its generation,

acquisition, storage, transmission, and reception (1)

• Acquiring information by means of sensors (2)• Processing information for transmission (3)

A/D (and D/A)• Manipulation of information (incl. Digital

Logic) (4)

Course Content -2• Computing Systems (5) that perform coding

and character formation• Information Theory (probability) (6)

– Measurement of information present in data• Information Coding (bar codes, information

compression) (7)– Code words from symbols – Detecting and correcting errors– Maximizing information transmitted– encryption

Course Content -3• Information Transmission (8)

– Channel capacity– Channel noise– Cellular telephone– Data packets and networks– Internet

• The Future of Information Technology (10)• Ethics & Professionalism (notes)

The Natural World is AnalogRef: Cyganski and Orr, Info. Technology

This continuous acoustical waveform can be detected by a device and converted into an analogous electrical waveform for transmission over a circuit.

Human speech is an example of analog communication.Speech causes air to vibrate with varying amplitude (volume) and frequency (pitch).

Digital and Analog Signals

AnalogContinuous smooth

variablesSlide ruleMercury thermometer“old” records VCRAnalog Computers

DigitalDiscrete, finite number

of variablesCalculatorDigital thermometerCDDVD(Digital) Computers

The Digital World• Rapid rise of digital information is due

largely to advances in electronic devices and computer hardware & software

• Computers routinely process information which is represented in digital form as binary digits = bits, 0’s and 1’s.

Digital Information

• Why choose digital information– Easy to use, manipulate, store, and transmit– More reliable

• Hence need a conversion, back and forth• Digital data is processed by logic gates,

which are formed into logic circuits to perform useful functions

• Logic circuits lead to computers

Information Processing

• Amount of information present in data is measured as the entropy

• Information can be coded for error detection and correction techniques for robust storage and encrypted for security

• Data are transmitted over a variety of channels• Computers are limited in their capacity to

manipulate data

Just a few typical applications

• Bar codes on products• USPS bar codes on mail• Credit and debit cards• CD’s and DVD’s• Cellular telephones• Computers and computing systems• Networks including internet• Digital clocks• Burglar alarms

A few personal notes

In our professional life,what is it that we all want?

SUCCESS! (among other things!) but what is success? SUCCESS IS

… IS THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF A WORTHWHILE GOAL.

What leads to Success at a University?

Attitude & Dedication to Excellence Organization of Time and Study Habits Perseverance and Patience Willingness to Ask Questions and Seek Help MORE THAN Academic background Native Intelligence

Success at a University - 1 BE ACTIVE

Risk failure in order to progress, failure is rarely fatal

Team work - requires respect of people Action often requires Change: Change is not

coming - it is here “Fire in your belly”: real interest now, not “instant gratification”; rewards follow later

Be Balanced

Success at a University - 2 Be Active Be Balanced Be Creative: what is the French for Engineers? ingenieur > engineer

most rewarding part of professional life: create something new - that is appreciated by others & helping others through teamwork

Be Dedicated to what is right and true, you won’t go wrong

Advice Treat school as your primary job, Be flexible, Listen and appreciate the views of others, be a

good team worker, Don’t always keep the focus on yourself, Admit to your mistakes, be real! Get excited! You are in an exciting, relevant, and

rewarding field!!

Welcome to a Great Profession

Be Dedicated & Creative Enjoy your work, Have fun! Rewards will be yours! $,£,L,DM,F,¥,!