Unit Outline

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 complex wired or wireless data networks for an application with a diverse range of requirements and equipment in line with modern technologies.
3.	Evaluate computer and data networks performance by analysis and experiments or simulation.
4.	Analyse wave propagation characteristics on distributed media to solve typical problems involving transmission lines.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	KMA154

Alterations as a result of student feedback

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 12 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.

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.