Unit Outline
ENG316
Networking and Antennas
Semester 1, 2024
Benjamin Millar
School of Engineering
College of Sciences and Engineering
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Benjamin Millar
Email: Benjamin.Millar@utas.edu.au
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
 

This unit studies and explores communication technology among multiple users. The layered network model will be discussed with emphasis on those widely applied such as wired and wireless networks in the real world. Both technical aspects of communication networks such as radio propagation and transmission line theory for antenna design, as well as significant applications around Internet of Things will be explored. Students will be exposed to networking technologies and hands-on experience on some critical hardware and system design aspects. This unit will enable students to be familiar with, explore, and appreciate modern communication networks and technology.
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.
Apply principles of computer and data networks, including layered structure, protocol and its functionalities, administration and control.
2.
Design and apply typical wired or wireless data networks by identifying major technical features, technologies and functionalities for a particular application.
3.
Evaluate computer and data networks performance by experiments or simulation.
4.
Analyse wave propagation characteristics on distributed media to solve typical problems involving transmission lines in both the time and frequency domains.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
KMA252 and ENG233
Alterations as a result of student feedback
 
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Tutorial
No Description
2
Weekly
Lecture (On Campus)
No Description
1
3 times per week
Practical
Weeks 6 & 7.
3
Once only (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 or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, 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
Week 6
10 %
LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Antenna - Semester test 1
Week 8
15 %
LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Simulation laboratory
Week 11
10 %
LO3
Assessment Task 4:
Networking - Semester test
Week 12
20 %
LO1
Assessment Task 5:
Antenna - Semester test 2
Week 13
20 %
LO4
Assessment Task 6:
Design report
Week 14
15 %
LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 7:
Assessed tutorial
Refer to Assessment Description
10 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Laboratory
Task Description:
Students will form groups and conduct a series of experiments on campus to illustrate various important concepts regarding transmission line theory.
Task Length:
2x 3-hour laboratory sessions
Due Date:
Week 6
Weight:
10 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Demonstrate with laboratory equipment transmission line principles
LO4
 
Assessment Task 2: Antenna - Semester test 1
Task Description:
90 minute written invigilated closed-book test covering the first half of the unit's Antenna content.
Task Length:
90 minute invigilated closed book test
Due Date:
Week 8
 

Weight:
15 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Solve problems regarding typical scenarios involving transmission lines in both the time and frequency domains.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: Simulation laboratory
Task Description:
Student will be tasked to create a network simulation that will confirm to assessment task's requirements. The task involves the adaptation of a basic network structure to meet requirements.
Task Length:
1x 45-minute invigilated online simulation laboratory.
Due Date:
Week 11
Weight:
10 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Design and simulate a network to meet required specifications.
LO3
 
Assessment Task 4: Networking - Semester test
Task Description:
90-minute written invigilated test covering all theoretical networking content.
Task Length:
90-minute invigilated test
Due Date:
Week 12
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Understand and apply theoretical principles of networking
LO1
 
Assessment Task 5: Antenna - Semester test 2
Task Description:
90 minute written invigilated closed-book test covering all the unit's Antenna content.
Task Length:
90 minute invigilated closed book test
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
20 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Solve problems regarding typical scenarios involving transmission lines in both the time and frequency domains.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 6: Design report
Task Description:
This assignment is designed for students to investigate a computer network required in a practical situation, then, to apply the knowledge, concepts, and principles to characterise and design an appropriate computer data network. They also need to simulate their design to assess the performance and discuss the outcomes. A written report is required to communicate the details in a professional manner.
Task Length:
1x Written report - Maximum 10 pages (appendices excluded)
Due Date:
Week 14
Weight:
15 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Apply networking principles to design.
LO1
2
Design a typical wired or wireless data networks using modern technologies and functionalities for a particular application.
LO2
 
Assessment Task 7: Assessed tutorial
Task Description:
Networking (6x sessions): In these sessions students will use network simulation software to implement and test certain networking concepts. These sessions will conclude with the student submitting their work for assessment.

Antennas (6x sessions): In these sessions students will solve a series of problems. These sessions will conclude with the student submitting their work for assessment.
Task Length:
12x 2-hour assessed tutorial sessions weekly
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
10 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Simulate principles of networks, which include various different protocols and their functionalities, administration and control.
LO1
2
Simulate wired or wireless networks and understand features, technologies and functionalities for a particular application.
LO2
3
Evaluate computer and data networks performance by experiments or simulation.
LO3
4
Solve problems relating to propagation characteristics on distributed media using fundamentals of transmission lines in both the time and frequency domains.
LO4
 
 
 

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.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
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.