Signal Processing and Communications (SPC) is the foundation of today’s information society. Villanova offers introductory and advanced instruction in statistical signal processing, communication systems, DSP, wireless communications, 5G wireless networks, radar systems, and detection and estimation. Students have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research in:
Wireless and Cellular Communications
Acoustic Signal and Array Processing
Waveform Design
Co-existence and Dual Function Systems
Signal Processing for Healthcare and Biomedical Systems
GPS Technologies
Satellite Communications
Radar Imaging and SAR
Compressive and Sparse Sensing
Reconfigurable Systems and Arrays
Ultrasound Signal Processing for Structural Health Monitoring
Machine Learning and Deep Learning for Communications
Physical Layer Security
Multi-user and Massive MIMO
Millimeter Wave Communication
Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access
The SPC concentration is supported by the Center for Advanced Communication, a world-class research facility that has been on the forefront of numerous innovations such as through wall radar imaging and novel uses of radar in health care. The center operates five research laboratories: Antennas, Wireless Communications, Radar Imaging, RFID and Acoustics and Ultrasound.
Degree Requirements
Ten courses (30 credits) are required to complete a Master’s in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Signal Processing and Communications (SPC). The following core courses are required:
The course introduces advanced topics in digital signal processing with an emphasis on applications. Topics include sampling, aliasing, data quantization, discrete time signals and systems, z-transform, discrete Fourier transform, Fast Fourier Transform, design of frequency selective digital filters, optimum filtering, all with real world applications to communications, radar, biomedical engineering and imaging fields.
Discrete and continuous random variables, conditional and joint distributions, random vector and stochastic processes, correlation and spectra of stationary processes under linear transformations, smoothing and prediction in mean square estimation. Prerequisite: Background in statistics and probability.
Basic topics in digital communications, including: modulation schemes, maximum likelihood symbol detection and sequence estimation, Viterbi algorithm, carrier and symbol synchronization, bandlimited channels, intersymbol interference modeling, channel equalization, MIMO systems, multiuser communications.
Prerequisites:
ECE 3720 and ECE 3770
Credit Hours:
3
Last Offered:
Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2021
Principles of cellular and wireless communication system, including frequency reuse, hand-off, interference and capacity; modulation techniques; propagation; channel modeling and equalization; diversity; multiple access techniques including FDMA, TDMA and CDMA; wireless standards (AMPS, IS-54, IS-95); digital cordless standards.
Radar systems are introduced in a framework of electronic systems integration which represents a unification of engineering theory and practice. A comprehensive set of radar principles are presented which form a foundation for the radar range equator. Systems applications are presented which illustrate the potentials and limitations of radar.
This course covers several topics on fifth generation (5G) of wireless systems with a specific focus on the physical layer and air interface technologies. 5G systems are being developed by industry for deployment starting in 2020. In comparison to 4G systems, 5G systems are to support for 10 times higher the peak data rate, 10 times lower latency, and 10 times higher number of connected devices. We then look at the opportunities and challenges introduced by using mmWave frequency bands, massive MIMO, cloud-RAN, and full-duplex communications. Pre-requisites: Undergrad Signal Processing and Communication.
Applied mathematics course tailored to the needs of EE graduate students. Topics: i) Complex variable theory, ii) Sturm-Liouville problem, eigen-function expansion and special functions, iii) Matrix theory, eigen value and diagonalization, iv) Fourier analysis, multi-dimensional Fourier series and transforms, and v) Partial differential equations. Various examples from engineering and physics will be incorporated as appropriate.
Vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, invariant subspaces, decomposition theorem, Jordan forms, bilinear forms, selfadjoint operators, functions of operators, differential systems.
Credit Hours:
3
Last Offered:
Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2022, Summer 2021
CRSE Attributes:
NONE
Up to 3 additional courses should be selected to complement those above and to support your professional interests.
Degree plans must be submitted before registering for your first semester. Students in the five-year BS/MS program must submit their plans before registering for fall semester of their senior year.
Academic Advisor
Students with a concentration in Signal Processing and Communications must work with an academic or research advisor to prepare and submit an approved degree plan. The academic advisor must be one of the full-time faculty members listed below. The academic advisor for students who are on sponsored projects is the research advisor.
“Villanova offers a strong research-oriented graduate school program. It has extremely qualified faculty willing to help students excel in their areas of interest.”
“The professors in Electrical Engineering are very easy to work with and the program itself is tailorable. I appreciated how I was able to select classes that matched my professional interests.”
Mark Schaff, Systems Engineering Lead, The Boeing Company
