Study information

Communications Engineering - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLECommunications Engineering CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECM3166 MODULE CONVENERDr Isaac Luxmoore (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12 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 and because of this our communication systems need to deal with ever-increasing amounts of information, to operate at ever-increasing speeds and to use lower and lower powers. 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: ECM2117 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)
This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council. The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current (AHEP-V3) and new (AHEP-V4) versions of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document.
 
This module contributes to AHEP-V3 learning outcomes: SM2p, SM2m, SM4m, EA1p-EA4p, EA1m-EA4m, D2p, D2m, EP1p, EP1m, EP2p, EP2m, EP4p, EP4m, EP9p, EP11m, G1p, G1m
 
This module contributes to AHEP-V4 learning outcomes: C1, C2, C3, C4, C12, C13, C16, C18, M1, M2, M3, M4, M12, M13, M16, M18
 
A full list of the referenced outcomes is provided online:
 -  The AHEP documents can be viewed in full on the Engineering Council’s website, at /http://www.engc.org.uk/
 
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 Describe 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
3 Explain and devise basic analog and digital radio systems
4 Describe and design basic wireless communication systems
5 Define the operation and performance characteristics of optical fibre communication channels
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
6 Demonstrate understanding of theoretical principles through application to complex problems that cannot be solved by memory
7 Utilise mathematical software (Matlab) to model various communication systems and sub-systems
 
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:
8 Monitor your progress through tutor-marked assignments (TMA) and self-assessment questions (SAQ)
9 Assess the effectiveness of your learning strategies, including time management, and modify appropriately
10 Use a variety of information sources to understand and supplement lecture material

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Eleven teaching weeks covering 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
Not applicable      
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 20 Written Exams 60 Practical Exams 20
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Written exam  60 2 hours - January Exam All None
Coursework – TMA 1 10   All Written
Coursework – TMA 2 10   All Written
Practical – lab-based experiment on baseband pulse 20   All 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 Completed over summer with a deadline in August
       

 

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

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

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 ECM2117
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 3 (NQF level 6) AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 10th July 2018 LAST REVISION DATE Friday 2nd June 2023
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.