Unit Outline

This unit introduces the fundamental concepts of modern communication systems. On completion of this unit you will be able to design and construct a digital communication system. The unit begins with an introduction to signaling theory and the modulation theorem. The communication channel will then be explained using additive white Gaussian process. Minimising the distortion while demodulating the signal in the presence of noise will be shown with considering the effects of noise equivalent bandwidth, signal to noise ratio and bandlimited processes. This all relates to the fundamental Nyquist signaling theorem. Design trade-offs in amplitude and angle modulation using suppress carriers. Demodulation design considerations in power and bandwidth limited systems for coherent and noncoherent carrier phase locked receiver will be investigated. The fundamentals of digital signal theory is then explored to create signal constellation diagrams using Gray coding. Amplitude, frequency and phase shift keying will be introduced, with explaining the maximum aposterior probability and maximum likelihood detectors for non-dispersive channels. Design consideration of bandwidth and power efficiency, carrier-to-noise ratio, and selecting modulation schemes will be shown. The unit concludes with introduction to information theory, with application of the source coding theorem using the Huffman algorithm and Lempel-Ziv method. These are fundamental communication topics required for advanced telecommunication systems used in any embedded systems, automation, advanced communication systems and which are studied later in the degree.

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 the key components and technologies in modern communication systems.
2	Evaluate the design objectives of transmitters and receivers while considering communication channel impairments.
3	Analyse function and efficiency of analogue and digital communication systems.
4	Design transmitter and receiver components to achieve communication.
5	Assess the performance of communication systems by simulation and practical demonstration.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	ENG204 Signals and Linear Systems ENG234 Analog Circuit Design

Alterations as a result of student feedback

First unit offering, no previous student feedback available.

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:	Practical laboratory	Week 7	20 %	LO2, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Communication system design	Week 8	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Simulation project	Week 13	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 4:	Final exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Practical laboratory

Task Description:

Students will form groups and conduct a series of experiments during 2x 3-hour practical laboratory sessions on campus to illustrate various concepts regarding analogue communication systems. In the first session students will investigate proper modulation of signals onto carrier waves. In the second session students will investigate various pulse shaping filters to illustrate the effects of conversion to digital communication system. The groups will be assessed via a record of their measurements and calculations completed during the sessions and follow-up individual verbal responses to questions.

Task Length:

Completion of proforma and response to questions during 2x 3-hour laboratory sessions.

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Design and evaluate the efficiency of modulation schemes.	LO2
2	Construct a transmitter and receiver to achieve reliable communication.	LO4, LO5
3	Design and evaluate the performance of various pulse shaping filters.	LO2
4	Report findings and specified requirements of pulse shaping implementations.	LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Communication system design

Task Description:

In this session students will solve a series of problems regarding the design of a communication system to transmit through an AWGN channel. Optimal detection and demodulation in AWGN channels will be investigated. This session will conclude with the student submitting their work for assessment.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain fundamental concepts relating to communication systems	LO1
2	Apply frequency and time domain methods to analyse different modulation schemes.	LO3
3	Investigate the effect of channel impairments on communication systems.	LO2

Assessment Task 3: 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:

10 page report

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


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 4: Final exam

Task Description:

Final examination

Task Length:

3 hour written exam

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain how modern communication system transmits through a communication channel with known impairments.	LO1
2	Apply frequency and time domain methods to analyse the effects of modulation scheme.	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.

Specifically, to demonstrate attainment of the ILOs, you must achieve

an average mark of 40% on test and simulation project parts related to ILO1 to pass ILO1

an average mark of 40% on test and exam questions related to ILO2 to pass ILO2

an average mark of 40% on exam questions related to ILO3 to pass ILO3

an average mark of 40% on simulation project and exam questions related to ILO4 to pass ILO4

an average mark of 40% on practical laboratory and simulation project parts related to ILO5 to pass ILO5

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.