Sound Card Based ASK Communication System for Teaching Communication Principle Course

This paper deals with the issue of using the MATLAB tool in teaching the course of communication principles via constructing an Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) communication system. Different from conventional MATLAB based simulations, the constructed system transmits modulated signals through a wire audio channel by exploiting sound card. Synchronization is required before the received signal being demodulated. Many practical problems should be considered as in real system. The designed system can be extended easily, and not only stimulates students’ interest in communication course, but also helps them understanding the principles from system viewpoints.