EEE3023 : Digital Communication Systems
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Martin Johnston
- Lecturer: Dr Stephane Le Goff
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to further the students’ knowledge of modern digital communication systems, by studying the encoder-decoder (CODEC) and modulator-demodulator (MODEM) blocks in more detail and introducing transmitter and receiver design. It will also introduce the modelling of wireless channels and methods to mitigate against multi-path fading effects.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will give an overview of modern digital communications at the physical layer, with emphasis on coding techniques and filter design to improve data rates and mitigate the effects of the communications channel on which we are transmitting and receiving. This includes source and channel coding, security, receiver design and methods to combat multi-path fading.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Writing of summatively assessed lab report in semester one |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 4 | 5:00 | 20:00 | Tutorial sheets to test the students’ knowledge of the different topics covered in semester two |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 82:00 | 82:00 | Reviewing lecture notes; general reading |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 24:00 | 24:00 | Revision for final exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | Two 1-hour in-person lecture each week in semester two. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Final exam in semester two assessment period. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | 2-hour in-person lecture each week in semester one. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Formatively assessed Matlab exercises in semester two |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 9 | 2:00 | 18:00 | 2-hour computer lab session implementing a digital communication system in Matlab in semester one. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures provides the core material and synchronous tutorial sessions give students the opportunity to query material taught in that week. Problem solving is also introduced and practiced through synchronous tutorial sessions.
Computing lab sessions provide an opportunity to gain experience in implementing the different components of a communication system and validate the theory introduced in lectures.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 75 | 2-hour in-person closed-book exam |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 25 | Written report on Matlab implementation of a communication system: 1000 word limit |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 2 | M | Small Matlab exercises released throughout semester two to help students understand encoding and decoding. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The examination allows students to demonstrate their ability to solve engineering problems focused on communications, based on the knowledge and methodologies presented in the course material. The laboratory report assesses technical writing skills and provides the opportunity for the students to apply programming skills to validate the theory taught on the course. The formative Matlab exercises will assess the students’ current level of understanding of the material taught throughout semester two and provide useful feedback on strengths and weaknesses.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- EEE3023's Timetable