commDSK: A tool for teaching modem design and analysis

While many communication topics are difficult for undergraduate students to internalize, demonstrations and laboratory experiences have been shown to greatly stimulate the learning process. This paper describes a highly successful combination of theory, demonstrations, lab exercises, and real-time DSP experiences using MATLAB and the Texas Instruments C6711 digital signal processing starter kit This approach, when also combined with state-of-the-art measurement equipment, has proven highly successful in reinforcing modem design and analysis techniques.