Module Details

Module Code: ELTR7007
Title: Wireless Comms Principles
Long Title: Wireless Communications Principles
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2020/21 ( September 2020 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5230 - Electronic Engineering
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module is intended to develop the student's understanding of wireless communications principles. The student will study transmitter and receiver architectures, antennas, modulation schemes and noise with applications to the design of wireless communications links.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Design simple wireless communication links including power budgets and antenna requirements.
LO2 Describe and specify performance parameters for radio transmitters and receivers at block diagram level.
LO3 Compute relevant system parameters for simple passband modulation schemes including ASK, PSK and FSK.
LO4 Evaluate the effect of electronic noise in a typical receiver front-end and quantify the impairment of communication systems due to noise using standard simulation tools
LO5 Discuss the role of standards organisations in the field of communications engineering and determine systems requirements using selected communications 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).
13985 ELTR7007 Wireless Comms Principles
13987 ELTR6019 Telecomms and Networking
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
Modulation and Wireless Communications
Principles of modulation. Suppressed carrier modulation: DSB-SC, passband binary modulation schemes, ASK/FSK/PSK. Power and bandwidth considerations. Modulators and detectors for passband schemes. Envelope detection, coherent detection and carrier synchronisation.
Wireless Communications Link Design
Propagation of EM waves and propagation examples, e.g. MW propagation, UHF propagation, multipath propagation effects. Common antenna systems, dipole, loop, parabolic. Antenna arrays, antenna parameters, gain, radiation pattern, beamwidth, radiation resistance. Friis formula and wireless link budgeting.
Transmitter and Receiver Architectures
Block diagrams of typical transmitters. High level and low level modulation, upconverters, power amplifiers. TRF and superheterodyne receivers, single and double conversion types. Down converters, image-reject mixers. Introduction to digital and software techniques in radio.
Noise
Noise sources and classification: thermal noise, shot noise, antenna noise. Signal-to-noise ratio, noise power, noise figure and noise temperature. Noise performance and comparison of modulation schemes. Receiver sensitivity.
Standards in Telecommunications
Role of standards organisations. Selected communications, emissions and electromagnetic compatibility standards. Impact of standards requirements on system design and the role of the engineer.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
A program of laboratory based exercises, e.g. simulation and measurement exercises. Assignments on the relevance and scope of standards in communications engineering.
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Assessment on modulation and transmission systems.
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 course material Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Simulations and experiments to enhance understanding of communications systems Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent study and 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 course material Every Week 1.50 1.5
Lab Contact Simulations and experiments to enhance understanding of communications systems Every Week 1.50 1.5
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent study and assignments Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Leon Couch. (2013), Digital and Analog Communications systems, 8th. Pearson, [ISBN: 9780132915380].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Simon Haykin, Michael Moher. (2009), Communication Systems, 5th. Wiley, [ISBN: 9780470169964].
  • Simon Haykin, Michael Moher. (2007), Introduction to analog and digital communications, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ, [ISBN: 0471432229].
  • Paul H. Young. (2004), Electronic communication techniques, 5th. Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., [ISBN: 0130482854].
  • I. Otung. (2001), Communication Engineering Principles, 1st. Palgrave, [ISBN: 0333775228].
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 5 Mandatory
CR_EELXE_7 Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Engineering 5 Mandatory