CE702-7-AU-CO:
Signal Processing and Digital Communications
2026/27
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 18 December 2026
15
26 February 2026
Requisites for this module
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This module provides a rigorous introduction to the signal processing principles underpinning modern digital communication systems. It covers the analysis and representation of signals, sampling, spectral methods, and noise modelling. Building on this foundation, the module develops key principles and techniques in digital modulation, pulse shaping, and bit error analysis.
Students are introduced to foundational and advanced concepts, including MIMO systems and Sparse Code Multiple Access (SCMA), relevant to high-capacity wireless networks. Theoretical learning is reinforced through lab-based simulation and analysis.
The aims of this module are:
- To develop a solid foundation in the signal processing techniques and digital communication principles that form the basis of modern communication systems.
- To equip students with the analytical and practical tools needed to model, design, and evaluate core components of digital transmitters and receivers, including modulation, filtering, and error analysis, and introduces advanced methods relevant to emerging wireless standards.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Apply spectral and time-domain tools to analyse discrete-time signals and systems relevant to communication applications.
- Design and evaluate digital baseband transmission systems, including filtering, pulse shaping, and sampling strategies.
- Compare and implement digital modulation schemes such as QAM, PSK, and OFDM, and assess their spectral and noise performance.
- Interpret and compute error metrics such as bit error rate (BER) and SNR under various signal-to-noise and modulation conditions.
- Explain the mathematical foundations and performance benefits of advanced techniques (e.g., MIMO, etc.) and candidate multiple access schemes for next-generation communication networks.
- Simulate and analyse digital communication components using any preferred programming language or equivalent tools and critically interpret system behaviour under practical constraints.
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.
This module will be delivered via:
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 |
| 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
No
No
Yes
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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