EEEN20060 Communication Systems

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module provides an introduction to electronic communication systems from an engineering viewpoint. The aims are to provide a good understanding of practical communication systems, and to develop the ability to analyse and design simple examples of such systems. Lectures will be supported by practical and project work, and independent learning will be expected. The project work will involve a significant amount of programming, using the C language, to implement example communication protocols.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Describe and explain the principles, structure and operation of a variety of communication systems;
2. Analyse a communication system or a part of a communication system, solve related problems and perform the relevant calculations;
3. Design a communication system or a part of a communication system to meet specified requirements, or compare alternative designs;
4. Implement a simple communication system using an appropriate mix of hardware and software;
5. Acquire knowledge independently, work in a team and communicate the results of their work.

Indicative Module Content:

- Concepts of communication systems; the OSI layers; network topology; etc.
- Introduction to the physical layer (covered in more detail in other modules): how to send information on wires or without wires; introduction to the problems arising.
- Link layer protocols: how to send information reliably using an imperfect physical layer; concepts of error detection, frame structure, re-transmission, etc.
- Medium access control: methods of sharing a communication channel (wired or wireless) between many devices; examples of practical protocols.
- Networks: means of communicating across a network of interconnected devices; addressing, routing, etc.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

30

Practical

18

Specified Learning Activities

12

Autonomous Student Learning

60

Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Teaching in this module will consist of a series of lectures, delivered in a lecture room to a live audience.
Learning should happen in these lectures and during private study.
Learning should also happen during the laboratory sessions, where students will have to solve problems, design protocols and implement those designs, applying the knowledge gained in the lectures. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Familiarity with basic principles of electricity, concepts of signal, frequency, etc., at the level of EEEN10010.

Mathematical skills including calculus and probability.

Computer programming in C, at the level of EEEN20010.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Communication Systems (ECEN20030)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment(Including Essay): A series of laboratory assignments, assessed on the basis of written reports, code and achievement of goals. Timing is indicative only. n/a Graded No

30

Quizzes/Short Exercises: A series of five online quizzes at intervals during the trimester. Timing shown is indicative only.
Quiz scores will be added and converted to a grade.
n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

10

Exam (Open Book): Open-book exam, allowing access to one textbook and one folder of notes. n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

60


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Written feedback will be provided on reports submitted on the laboratory work during the trimester. Where these are group reports, there will be feedback to the group. Where these are individual reports, there will be feedback to the student who submitted the report. Automated feedback will be provided on the online quizzes. For the terminal examination, students can request to view their script.

Name Role
Dr Barry Cardiff Lecturer / Co-Lecturer