Design and Implementation of a Signal Processing Course to Integrate Master Studies in Sustainable Transportation and Electrical Power Systems

In this paper, we present the motivation, implementation and operation of a digital signal processing course, aiming to equalize the knowledge of international students enrolled in an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Sustainable Transportation and Electrical Power Systems. Since students can apply from all over the world, exhibiting non-homogeneous electrical engineering educational background, the master integrates an initial leveling semester that includes a Digital Signal Processing and Communications course unit. In this course, the fundamental concepts needed to understand the application of signal processing in the context of the master are chosen aiming to provide students solid applied skills and competences. The selection of the laboratory exercises, simulations and projects is focused on bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and analysis tools, often abstract in this field, and their practical counterparts. This allows students to acquire a solid understanding on how to obtain and analyze signal features relevant for problems in their area of study.

I. Introduction

The European Commission has identified the energy and transportation sectors as two of the most important areas for guaranteeing future sustainable economic development [1]. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Sustainable Transportation and Electrical Power Systems (EMJMD STEPS) represents a specialized degree in the electrical engineering area, with focus on the growing needs for highly skilled professionals and technological solutions in the aforementioned sectors [2].