Unit Outline
School of Engineering
College of Sciences and Engineering
ENG436
Communication Systems
Semester 2, 2023
Haihan Sun
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
 
Unit Coordinator
Haihan Sun
Email: haihan.sun@utas.edu.au
 
 
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit introduces the fundamental concepts of modern communication systems for engineering students specialised in electronics and communication engineering and other electrical engineering streams. Analog communication system concepts are briefly discussed to set the scene for digital communication techniques. Concepts in digital communication include: - Baseband and passband concepts - Digital modulation - Channel equalisation for the AWGN and multipath fading channels - Error detection and correction This unit is the discipline knowledge required for design and application of basic communication system or study of more advanced communication topics.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1
Explain major components and technologies in modern communication systems including analog modulation and digital modulation techniques, communication channels, communication errors and communication system performance measures.
2
Explain the design objectives of transmitters and receivers, and impairments that can impact the communication channel.
3
Apply frequency domain and time domain methods to model typical analog and digital communication systems and analyse system function and efficiency.
4
Design basic components in transmitter and receiver to achieve effective communication.
5
Assess the performance of basic communication systems by simulation.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
ENG234 AND ENG332
Alterations as a result of student feedback
The tutor will be the same, and there are no modifications to the unit outline compared to last year.
 
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
Weekly workshop covering unit content
2
Weekly
Computer Laboratory
Simulation laboratory
3
Study Period 2 times
Attendance/Engagement Expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 
How will I be Assessed?
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT TASK 1:
Laboratory 1
Week 5
10 %
LO2, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 2:
Laboratory 2
Week 7
10 %
LO2, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 3:
In-semester test
Week 10
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
ASSESSMENT TASK 4:
Simulation project
Week 13
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
ASSESSMENT TASK 5:
Exam
Exam Period
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Laboratory 1
TASK DESCRIPTION:
The laboratory will require the construction of an analog communication system. The student will investigate various concepts regarding reliable communication. Students will be individually questioned during the laboratory session to assess their understanding of the practical session.

TASK LENGTH:
3-hour laboratory session and submission of 7 page report.
DUE DATE:
Week 5
WEIGHT:
10 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME
1
Explore and explain design objective and justify system design
LO2
2
Construct a transmitter and receiver to achieve reliable communication.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 2: Laboratory 2
TASK DESCRIPTION:
The laboratory will require the construction of various pulse shaping filters to investigate the effects on a communication system. Students will be individually questioned during the laboratory session to assess their understanding of the practical session.

TASK LENGTH:
3-hour laboratory session and submission of 7 page report.
DUE DATE:
Week 7
WEIGHT:
10 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME
1
Explore and explain design of pulse shaping filters
LO2
2
Measure communication system's performance using pulse shaping filters
LO4
 
 
Assessment Task 3: In-semester test
TASK DESCRIPTION:
Two-hour written invigilated closed-book test covering the first nine weeks of the unit. This includes information theory, large-scale path loss, line coding, AWGN and multipath channel models, digital modulation, detection and demodulation in AWGN channels, detection and demodulation in multipath fading channels, introduction to OFDM, block error correction coding.

TASK LENGTH:
2-hour written test
DUE DATE:
Week 10
WEIGHT:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME
1
Explain fundamental concepts relating to communication systems
LO1
2
Apply frequency and time domain methods to analyse problem for solution
LO3
3
Analyse and design communication systems while considering channel impairments.
LO2
 
Assessment Task 4: Simulation project
TASK DESCRIPTION:
An investigation and design project to model a multipath fading communication channel and measure the performance of the communication system as a whole. The project definition is broad and includes several sub-problems that require both a theoretical and simulation analysis to complete.

TASK LENGTH:
12 page report
DUE DATE:
Week 13
WEIGHT:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME
1
Design an appropriate communication systems to meet specifications.
LO2
2
Design a digital communication system
LO4
3
Simulate the system and evaluate the performance
LO5
4
Discuss measured communication system performance
LO1
5
Analyse system function and efficiency using time and frequency domain methods.
LO3
 
Assessment Task 5: Exam
TASK DESCRIPTION:
The final exam is conducted in the formal examination period. See the Examinations and Results page: http://www.utas.edu.au/exams/ on the University's website, or access your personal exams timetable by logging into the eStudent Centre - Personal Exams Timetable for specific date, time and location closer to the examination period.

TASK LENGTH:
3 hour written exam
DUE DATE:
Exam Period
WEIGHT:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME
1
Explain how modern communication system transmits through a communication channel with known impairments.
LO1
2
Apply frequency and time domain methods to analyse problem for solution.
LO3
3
Analyse and solve problems raised from practical system design issues
LO4
4
Design a communication system to mitigate the effects of a communication channel.
LO2
 
 
 
How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
 
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
 
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late Penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.