EEEN40060 Digital Communications

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module deals mainly with the theoretical underpinning of modern digital communication systems. It will give a firm understanding of the principles behind modern physical-layer line and wireless communications. Digital modulation techniques and decision theory are described through the use of signal space theory. Students will analyse the structure and performance of a variety of digital modulation techniques including orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). The module also includes an introduction to digital communication over wireless channels, including an introduction to diversity techniques and MIMO systems. Students will be required to write computer simulations of various communication systems.

Specific topics include:

* Decision theory and optimum detection over the discrete memoryless channel
* Signal space theory (optimum receiver design, probability of error)
* Digital modulation techniques (BPSK, QPSK, MPSK, FSK, PAM, QAM, OFDM)
* Wireless fading channel models (Rayleigh and Rician fading)
* Diversity and MIMO techniques for fading channels (selection combining, maximum ratio combining) and their performance analysis (average probability of error, outage probability, channel capacity).

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module a student will be able to:

1. Describe various digital modulation schemes in terms of signal space theory.
2. Calculate performance metrics of standard transmitter/receiver pairs under various channel conditions.
3. Design and evaluate the performance of optimum and sub-optimum communication receivers.
4. Write computer simulations of various physical layer communications scenarios.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of how to mitigate the effects of fading in wireless channels.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Lectures

30
Tutorial

6
Total

116
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Classes will explain digital communication concepts and also provide many worked examples. Comprehensive electronic notes will be provided, and many extra worked examples and problems will be solved in class. The programming assignments will test the student's ability to translate the theoretical concepts into practical solutions to communication system design problems.



 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Learning Requirements:
EEEN30060 Communication Theory or equivalent.
EEEN30110 Signal and Systems or equivalent.
EEEN30050 Signal Processing or equivalent.
A sound understanding of the fundamentals of probability theory and random processes such as would be provided by STAT20060.
A good knowledge of linear algebra and calculus.
Proficiency in MATLAB programming.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): End-of-trimester written examination End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

80

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Two simulation assignments. Note that work submitted for each assignment will only be graded if it is submitted within two weeks of the assignment's submission deadline.
 Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

20

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

For the computer programming assignment, feedback will be provided indicating ways in which the submission could have been improved. This feedback may be provided at an individual level or at a group level.

Name Role
Ahmed Magbool Tutor