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EEEN20060

Academic Year 2025/2026

Communication Systems (EEEN20060)

Subject:
Electronic & Electrical Eng
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Electrical & Electronic Eng
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Xu Wang
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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.

About this Module

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 Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): A series of laboratory assignments, assessed on the basis of written reports, code and achievement of goals. Timing is indicative only. Week 4, Week 7, Week 11 Graded No
30
 No
Exam (Open Book): Open-book exam, allowing access to printed lecture materials available in Brightspace and a folder of handwritten notes. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Two online quizzes at intervals during the trimester. The timing shown is indicative only.
Quiz scores will be added and converted to a grade.		 Week 5, Week 10 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Barry Cardiff Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Xu Wang Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33 Fri 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
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