Unit information: Communications in 2016/17

Unit name	Communications
Unit code	EENG22000
Credit points	10
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Armour
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	EENG11002; EENG17300
Co-requisites	EENG21000
School/department	School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This unit covers the basics of digital and analogue information transfer over wired and wireless links. Topics include baseband and bandpass (M-FSK, M-PSK, M-QAM) modulation formats and associated error control coding, pulse shaping, symbol timing and carrier recovery techniques, together with bandpass analogue modulation techniques.

Fundamentals Communications:

Overview of communication systems. Factors affecting system capacity: bandwidth, noise, distortion. Quantitative metrics for Communications. Shannon's capacity theorem and bandwidth efficiency.

Baseband Digital Modulation:

PAM binary and multi-level signalling, Implications of inter-symbol interference and pulse shaping, Nyquist filters, matched filters, root raised cosine filters. Generation and interpretation of eye diagrams.

Bandpass Digital Modulation:

Introduction to the generation, detection, spectra and performance of digital modulation methods: Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK), Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), Minimum Shift Keying (MSK), Phase Shift Keying (PSK), Phase Shift Keying (DPSK). Binary and Multilevel modulation schemes. Coherent, non-coherent and differentially coherent detection methods.

Laboratory:

Modem design exercise

Error Control: Automatic Repeat Request and Forward Error Correction as strategies for error control. The pros and cons of each and the implications of error control in the context of Shannon Capacity.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Describe the fundamental limitations on the performance of communication systems
2. Evaluate the performance of communications systems both qualitatively and quantitatively
3. Calculate the theoretical capacity of a channel as a function of bandwidth and SNR
4. Apply engineering trade-offs in using different modulation techniques and be able to select appropriate techniques for different applications
5. Outline the practical challenges associated with different modulation methods
6. Apply the above to design, implement and evaluate a communications modem and compare theoretical capacity and practical system capabilities.

Teaching Information

Lectures and Laboratory classes

Assessment Information

Modem laboratory report, 20% (ILO 6)

Exam, 2 hours, 80% (ILOs 1-5)

Reading and References

• Bateman, A., Digital Communications Design for the Real World, Prentice Hall, 1998 , ISBN:0201343010

• Haykin, S., Communication Systems, 4th ed, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN:0471178691

• Young, P., Electronic Communication Techniques, 5th ed, Prentice Hall, ISBN:0130482854

• Sklar, B., Digital Communications: Fundamentals and Applications, 2nd ed, Prentice Hall, 2001, ISBN:0130847887