Module Details

Module Code: ELTR8008
Title: Digital Communications
Long Title: Digital Communications
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 2 - 2019/20 ( January 2020 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5230 - Electronic Engineering
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: Digital techniques are central to nearly all modern telecommunications systems and networks. This module addresses both foundational principles, i.e. information theory and discrete Fourier analysis, applied techniques, i.e. digital carrier systems and error control coding, as well as modern systems such as OFDM and WCDMA.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Evaluate and report on the performance of multilevel PSK and QAM modulation schemes in the presence of noise and other impairments using simulation methods.
LO2 Discuss the principles of operation of advanced modulation schemes such as OFDM and CDMA.
LO3 Use the methods of information theory to compute the capacity of communications channels and efficiently encode discrete information sources.
LO4 Specify and design block and cyclic codes to perform error detection and correction in noisy data transmission systems.
LO5 Analyse the spectral characteristics of communications signals and noise using the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT).
LO6 Operate as a team to develop end-to-end communications system models and document their design and performance to engineering standards.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
13986 ELTR7008 Digital Comms Principles
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Single Carrier Communications Systems
Review of modulation schemes, e.g. BPSK BFSK, MPSK, MQAM. AWGN impairments and signal space concepts, ML and MAP decoding. Bit error probability and error rate charts for system performance. System design and evaluation.
Carrier Recovery
Coherent carrier recovery schemes – Mth power loop, remodulation loop, Costas Loop. Effect of carrier recovery on error performance. Early-Late gate synchronization.
CDMA
Interference suppression and pulse noise jamming, Process gain and performance. Pseudonoise (PN) spreading sequences, orthogonal sequences, and correlation properties. Direct sequence (DS-SS) and frequency hop systems (FH-SS). Applications: CDMA and WCDMA cellular networks, GPS.
OFDM and Advanced Techniques
Power efficient modulation, MFSK, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), parallel modulator and IFFT implementations. MIMO, equalisation. Overview of 5G cellular systems.
Information Theory
Information measure, source entropy and redundancy, Kraft Inequality and Source Coding Theorem. Huffman’s encoding algorithm. Binary symmetric channel, mutual entropy and capacity. Shannon's Capacity Theorem, SNR and bandwidth trade-off.
Error Control Coding
Error control coding, Random and burst errors. Interleaving. Hamming distance, linear generator and parity check matrices, Hamming codes. Cyclic codes, generator and parity check polynomials, CRC generation – systematic form, alternative dual code forms. Shift register based encoding and decoding.
Discrete Fourier Analysis
Review of Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and inverse. Definition of power spectral density (PSD). Estimation of PSD, periodogram, modified periodogram. Properties of common window functions, Bartlett/Welch method.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 25
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,4,5
Assessment Description
Use of simulation tools, e.g. MATLAB/Simulink, or Software Radio systems for the investigation of digital communications engineering concept. Documented with short reports.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 1,2,4,5
Assessment Description
A system design exercise drawn from real world examples. A team will review the literature, implement models incorporating FEC, modulation, channel simulation and decoding. The team will characterise their performance against specification and document to an engineering standard in a report of 10-15 pages
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 60
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Presentation of theory with worked examples and case studies Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Laboratory software simulation: Matlab/Simulink usage Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Self study, review of lecture material, preparation for assignments Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Presentation of theory with worked examples and case studies Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Laboratory software simulation: Matlab/Simulink usage Every Second Week 1.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Self study, review of lecture material, preparation for assignments Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 8.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • B. Sklar, F. J. Harris. (2020), Digital Communications: Fundamentals and Applications, 3rd. Prentice Hall, [ISBN: 9780134588568].
  • Ian Glover, Peter Grant,. (2010), Digital Communications, 3rd. Prentice Hall, [ISBN: 9780273718307].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • U. Madhow. (2014), Introduction to Communication systems, 1st. Cambridge University Press, [ISBN: 9781107022775].
  • Yuan Jing,. (2010), A Practical Guide to Error-Control Coding Using MATLAB, Artech House, [ISBN: 9781608070886].
  • Ha H. Nguyen, Ed Shwedyk. (2009), A first course in digital communications, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, [ISBN: 9780521876131].
  • Mosa Ali Abu-Rgheff. (2007), Introduction to CDMA wireless communications, Academic, [ISBN: 9780750652520].
  • Richard G. Lyons. (2011), Understanding Digital Signal Processing, chapters 3-4, Prentice Hall, [ISBN: 9780137027415].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_EELES_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronic Engineering 7 Mandatory