CE702-7-SP-CO:
Digital Communications
2024/25
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
27 June 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
CE701
(none)
(none)
MSC H64112 5G and Emerging Communication Systems,
MSC GH64N1 Computer Systems Engineering
The module will provide an understanding of the principles and practices of modern digital communication systems. It reviews baseband and band-pass techniques, pulse code modulation, and studies modern methods of transmission, including multiplexing and multiple access.
The module introduces wired and wireless transmission techniques including those used in current broadcast and mobile communications systems. Representative transmission systems selected for study include digital radio, television and WiFi and communication satellites. Operation principles, link budgets and design of basic components of transmission systems are described and discussed in detail.
This module aims to define the principles and practices of modern digital communication systems. It introduces a number of standard techniques for transmission including multiplexing and multiple access for wired and wireless transmission systems.
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
1. Explain the principles of baseband and band-pass digital transmission.
2. Assess bit error rates of digital communication systems.
3. Discuss physical layer aspects of radio networks.
4. Design and explain antenna principles.
5. Develop an RF link plan for reliable digital transmission and asses failure probability for given system parameters.
6. Describe practices of modern multiplexed transmission systems.
7. Discuss the principles of digital transmission over cable and RF networks, and explain examples of current practices.
8. Explain satellite and terrestrial systems design.
Outline Syllabus
Digital transmission principles
Baseband pulse transmission, signal spectrum and bandwidth. Quantization distortion, pulse shaping, ISI and eye diagrams. Digital modulation systems: PSK, QAM and OFDM. Effects of noise. Detection of digital signals, MAP and ML detections, matched filters, decision regions. Performance assessment. Constellation diagrams, MER, error control coding.
The EM spectrum and management.
Comparison of wired and wireless transmission systems.
Physical layer components, radio propagation and antennas, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) links.
RF link planning for reliable digital transmission and evaluation of failure probability given system parameters, including link budget and Fresnel Zone calculations.
Communication satellites: geo-stationary/LEO/MEO orbits, frequency allocations, FDMA, TDMA, CDMA OFDMA.
Transmission Systems: point to point RF, broadcast radio & TV, cellular comms networks, WiFi, DSL, PCM telephony, optical fibre.
No information available.
This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non - essential items, please refer to the module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Progress Test (In person, MCQ Moodle Test, Closed Book) |
|
33% |
| Coursework |
Digital Communication System Simulation in MATLAB – Practical Assignment using MATLAB & Report |
28/02/2025 |
67% |
| Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Early Exams
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Syed Shah, email: syed.shah@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Syed Shah
School Office, csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770
Yes
No
Yes
Dr Anthony Olufemi Tesimi Adeyemi-Ejeye
Available via Moodle
Of 1 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
1 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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