Study information

Communications Engineering - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLECommunications Engineering CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECM3166 MODULE CONVENERDr Isaac Luxmoore (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 30
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Communications lie at the heart of our modern-day society so our communication systems need to deal with ever-increasing amounts of information, to operate at ever-increasing speeds, use lower and lower powers and protect personal data. In this module you will learn how to modern communication systems, such as wired and wireless technologies and optical fibre systems, meet such demands and, importantly, how to design modern communication links from a systems level perspective.

Prerequisite module: ENG2017 or equivalent.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The purpose of this module is to develop the subject-specific knowledge, understanding and skills, required to design and analyse modern-day communication systems. It develops the signal and system theory framework necessary to further your understanding of the operating and performance-limits of analog and digital communication systems. Furthermore, it applies such theory to real-world communications examples, including analog and digital radio, fibre-optic communications and wireless systems.

Finally, the module describes in detail the design and implementation of a range of modern-day digital communication systems, such as digital mobile communications links, computer communications, radio and TV broadcasting systems, optical fibre communications.

 

 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes.  The Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed on this module and identified in brackets below.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1.  Develop a detailed understanding of the operation and design of sub-systems and circuits commonly used in analog and digital communications systems (e.g. modulators, demodulators, transmitters, receivers, equalisers, detectors);

2. Develop and apply mathematical models to describe the behaviour of signals and linear systems in both the time and frequency domain, using Fourier techniques to move between the two; (M1, M2, M3, C1, C2, C3)

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

3. ApplyUtilise mathematical software (Matlab/Python) to model various communication systems and sub-systems; (M3, C3)
4. Use experimental methods (systems design, circuit analysis, signal processing) to investigate a model communications system; (M12, C12)
5. Adopt a holistic and proportionate approach to the mitigation of security risks; (M10, C10)  

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

6. Monitor your progress through tutor-marked assignments (TMA) and assess the effectiveness of your learning strategies (including time management).
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The syllabus will cover the following topics:

  • Overview of a typical communications system -analog and digital communications
  • Source coding - PCM, delta modulation
  • Channel coding- Hamming codes, block codes, convolutional codes
  • Line codes - NRZ, AMI, bi-phase, WAN and LAN line codes
  • Linear time invariant systems; impulse response and frequency response
  • Ideal and non-ideal communication channels - wire, radio and optical channels
  • Baseband pulse and digital signalling - ISI, Nyquist signalling, PRML signalling
  • Case study - the optical data storage channel
  • Bandpass signalling - ASK, FSK, PSK, BPSK
  • Noise - bandlimited white noise, PSD and PDF
  • The matched filter
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 50 Guided Independent Study 100 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 11 Tutorials
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 17 Laboratory work
Guided independent study 100 Guided independent study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Self-assessment worksheets 8 hours 1-3, 5,6 (MC 1-3, 10) Verbal feedback and worked solutions
Lab tasks 6 hours 1-4, 6 (MC1-3) Verbal feedback)

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 30 Written Exams 70 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Written exam  70 2 hour exam 1-3, 5 (MC 103, 10) Exam mark
Coursework - problem sheets 10 Single problem sheet with questions and programming exercise  1-4,6 (MC 1-3,10) Written
Practical – lab-based experiment on baseband pulse 20 Approx. 5 hour lab exercise and written report 1-4,6 (MC 1-3,10) Written

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
All above Written exam (100% - 2 hours) All Referral/deferral period
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by a single written exam only worth 100% of the module. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 40%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

Lathi, B P

Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems

4th

Oxford University Press

2010

978-0-19-538493-2

Couch L W

Digital and Analog Communication Systems

8th

Person

2013

978-0-273-77421-1

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Lathi, B P Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems 4th Oxford University Press 2010 978-0-19-538493-2
Set Couch L W Digital and Analog Communication Systems 8th Person 2013 978-0-273-77421-1
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 3 (NQF level 6) AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Friday 22nd March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Tuesday 3rd September 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH Communication Systems, Signals, Networking, Mobile Telephony, Wireless Communications

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.