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EEEN40060

Academic Year 2024/2025

Digital Communications (EEEN40060)

Subject:
Electronic & Electrical Eng
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Electrical & Electronic Eng
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Mark Flanagan
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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 characterisation and analysis of fading channels and an introduction to diversity techniques. 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, Rician, and Nakagami-m fading)
* Capacity of AWGN channels and OFDM
* Diversity techniques for fading channels (selection combining, maximum ratio combining) and their performance analysis.

About this Module

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 characterise and 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 each computer simulation 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
Duc Tung Bui Tutor
Ahmed Magbool Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 5, 8, 10 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 7, 11 Thurs 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 13:00 - 13:50