Fundamentals of Networking and Signal Processing

Course objectives

General The aim of the course is to introduce students to the economics of digital markets, which are often dominated by large platforms. Students are expected to gain insight into the main features of digital markets, such as: network effects; complementarity, compatibility, and standards; switching costs and lock in; scale economies. They are also expected to comprehend and assess how these specific features of technology and demand can affect market structure, firms’ strategies, and public policy in digital markets. At the end of the course, students should be able to use methods and models of microeconomics and industrial organization to understand and analyze the competitive dynamics in digital markets. Knowledge and understanding The course introduces students to the new information economy and the economics of digital markets. Students are expected to gain insight into how the specific features of technology and demand affect market structure, firms’ strategies and business models, as well as public policy in digital markets. Applying knowledge and understanding By the end of the course, students should be able to use methods and models of microeconomics and industrial organization to understand and analyze the competitive dynamics in the new information economy, and specifically in digital markets. Making judgements Lectures, practical exercises and problem-solving sessions will provide students with the ability to assess the main strengths and weaknesses of theoretical models when used to explain empirical evidence and case studies in the new information economy. Communication By the end of the course, students are able to point out the main features of the new information economy and digital markets, and to discuss relevant information, ideas, problems and solutions both with a specialized and a non-specialized audience. These capabilities are tested and evaluated in the final written exam and possibly in the oral exam. Lifelong learning skills Students are expected to develop those learning skills necessary to undertake additional studies on relevant topics in the field of the new information economy with a high degree of autonomy. During the course, students are encouraged to investigate further any topics of major interest, by consulting supplementary academic publications, specialized books, and internet sites. These capabilities are tested and evaluated in the final written exam and possibly in the oral exam, where students may have to discuss and solve some new problems based on the topics and material covered in class.

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VINCENZO ERAMO Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Signal Processing Module (3 CFU) Prof. Stefania Colonnese Part I. Continuous-time signals: Convolution and filtering; correlation. Representation of signals in the Fourier domain. Spectrogram. Low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass filters. Bandwidth-limited signals. Sampling theorem. Part II. Discrete-time signals: Convolution and filtering. Fourier transform for discrete-time signals. Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) for finite-length sequences. Part III. Signal representation for transmission: Quantization. Karhunen-Loève Transform and principal component analysis. Principles of coding. Networking Module (6 CFU) Prof. Vincenzo Eramo Parte I [1.Ch.2]. Telecommunication Networks: Structure of a Telecommunications Network, Communication Architecture and Protocols (Lessons h. 8, Exercises h. 4). Parte II [1.Cap.9]. Wide Area Network (WAN): Static multiplexing, dynamic multiplexing, switching function, circuit- and packet-switched networks (Lessons h. 10, Exercises h. 8). Parte III [1.Chs.11-12]. Local Area Network: Architecture of an 802.3X Ethernet network, Logical Link Control layer, Medium Access Control layer, Routing Function in Ethernet Networks (Lessons h. 8, Exercises h. 2). Parte IV [1.Chs.14-15]. Internet: Internet Topology and Architecture, IPv4 Protocol, IPv4 Addressing, Internet Routing, UDP and TCP Transport Protocols (Lessons h. 14, Exercises h. 6).
Prerequisites
Background is not required
Books
[1] W. Stalling –“Data and Computer Communication”, Pearson Education Tenth Edition [2] Lecture notes: available on the course e-leaning page
Frequency
Attendance is optional.
Exam mode
ASSESSMENT TOOLS The examination consists of two written tests: -One written test of 1.5h relating to the Signal Processing module -One written test of 2h relating to the Networking module The written test for the Signal Processing module consists of - 10 short open-ended questions or short exercises graded with the assignment of a mark in the range [0,30]. The written test for the Signal Processing module is passed if a score of 18 or higher is achieved. The written test of the Networking module consists of: - 20 multiple-choice questions with the assignment of a mark in the range [0,15] -2 exercises on the dimensioning and performance of telecommunications networks and on the configuration of an Internet network with the assignment of a mark in the range [0,15] The overall mark for the written test in Networking is given by the sum of the marks obtained in the questions and exercises. The written test in the Networking module is passed if a mark equal to 18 or higher is achieved. ASSESSMENT METHODS Examination of knowledge of the representation of continuous-time and discrete-time signals in both the original and Fourier domains. Examination of knowledge of convolution and filtering operations for continuous-time and discrete-time signals. Verification of knowledge of signal representation for transmission. Examination of knowledge on the classification of the telecommunication networks and services; examination of skills in dimensioning of the physical resources in a TLC network; examination of skills in identifying a communication architectures and a network service suitable to satisfy the Quality of Service requirements; examination of knowledge on local area network; examination of knowledge about the Internet network. EVALUATION CRITERIA The final examination mark is expressed in thirtieths and the final mark is the weighted sum of the marks obtained in the two written tests Signal Processing and Networking with weights of 1/3 and 2/3 respectively. The achieved score corresponds to the achievement of the following objectives: sufficient knowledge (rating from 18 to 20); average knowledge (rating from 21 to 23); skills in sufficiently applying the knowledge (rating from 24 to 25); good skills in applying the knowledge (rating from 27 to 28); excellent skills in applying the knowledge (rating from 29 to 30 with honors).
Bibliography
J.F. Kurose, K.W. Ross , “Computer networking. A top-down apporach”, Eighth Edition, GLOBAL EDITION W. Stalling, “High-Speed Networks and Internets: Performance and Quality of Service”, Second Edition, Pearson Education J.G. Proakis, D.G. Manolakis, "Digital Signal Processing", Prentice Hall. (in inglese).
Lesson mode
The course consists of eight weekly hours for about twelve weeks.
STEFANIA COLONNESE Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Signal Processing Module (3 CFU) Prof. Stefania Colonnese Part I. Continuous-time signals: Convolution and filtering; correlation. Representation of signals in the Fourier domain. Spectrogram. Low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass filters. Bandwidth-limited signals. Sampling theorem. Part II. Discrete-time signals: Convolution and filtering. Fourier transform for discrete-time signals. Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) for finite-length sequences. Part III. Signal representation for transmission: Quantization. Karhunen-Loève Transform and principal component analysis. Principles of coding. Networking Module (6 CFU) Prof. Vincenzo Eramo Parte I [1.Ch.2]. Telecommunication Networks: Structure of a Telecommunications Network, Communication Architecture and Protocols (Lessons h. 8, Exercises h. 4). Parte II [1.Cap.9]. Wide Area Network (WAN): Static multiplexing, dynamic multiplexing, switching function, circuit- and packet-switched networks (Lessons h. 10, Exercises h. 8). Parte III [1.Chs.11-12]. Local Area Network: Architecture of an 802.3X Ethernet network, Logical Link Control layer, Medium Access Control layer, Routing Function in Ethernet Networks (Lessons h. 8, Exercises h. 2). Parte IV [1.Chs.14-15]. Internet: Internet Topology and Architecture, IPv4 Protocol, IPv4 Addressing, Internet Routing, UDP and TCP Transport Protocols (Lessons h. 14, Exercises h. 6).
Prerequisites
Signal Processing Module (3 CFU) Background is not required Networking Module (6 CFU) Background is not required
Books
[1] W. Stalling –“Data and Computer Communication”, Pearson Education Tenth Edition [2] Lecture notes: available on the course e-leaning page
Frequency
Attendance is optional.
Exam mode
ASSESSMENT TOOLS The examination consists of two written tests: -One written test of 1.5h relating to the Signal Processing module -One written test of 2h relating to the Networking module The written test for the Signal Processing module consists of - 10 short open-ended questions or short exercises graded with the assignment of a mark in the range [0,30]. The written test for the Signal Processing module is passed if a score of 18 or higher is achieved. The written test of the Networking module consists of: - 20 multiple-choice questions with the assignment of a mark in the range [0,15] -2 exercises on the dimensioning and performance of telecommunications networks and on the configuration of an Internet network with the assignment of a mark in the range [0,15] The overall mark for the written test in Networking is given by the sum of the marks obtained in the questions and exercises. The written test in the Networking module is passed if a mark equal to 18 or higher is achieved. ASSESSMENT METHODS Examination of knowledge of the representation of continuous-time and discrete-time signals in both the original and Fourier domains. Examination of knowledge of convolution and filtering operations for continuous-time and discrete-time signals. Verification of knowledge of signal representation for transmission. Examination of knowledge on the classification of the telecommunication networks and services; examination of skills in dimensioning of the physical resources in a TLC network; examination of skills in identifying a communication architectures and a network service suitable to satisfy the Quality of Service requirements; examination of knowledge on local area network; examination of knowledge about the Internet network. EVALUATION CRITERIA The final examination mark is expressed in thirtieths and the final mark is the weighted sum of the marks obtained in the two written tests Signal Processing and Networking with weights of 1/3 and 2/3 respectively. The achieved score corresponds to the achievement of the following objectives: sufficient knowledge (rating from 18 to 20); average knowledge (rating from 21 to 23); skills in sufficiently applying the knowledge (rating from 24 to 25); good skills in applying the knowledge (rating from 27 to 28); excellent skills in applying the knowledge (rating from 29 to 30 with honors).
Bibliography
J.F. Kurose, K.W. Ross , “Computer networking. A top-down apporach”, Eighth Edition, GLOBAL EDITION W. Stalling, “High-Speed Networks and Internets: Performance and Quality of Service”, Second Edition, Pearson Education J.G. Proakis, D.G. Manolakis, "Digital Signal Processing", Prentice Hall. (in inglese).
Lesson mode
The course consists of eight weekly hours for about twelve weeks.
  • Lesson code10621172
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseData Science
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDING-INF/03
  • CFU9
  • Subject areaFormazione informatica e dell'informazione