| Unit name | Communication Systems & Spectral Analysis |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EEMEM0001 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Doufexi |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
The unit will give you an understanding of how modern communication systems work. The aim is to provide an insight into the choice of access techniques and designs employed in existing and future generation networks. The unit examines digital modulation schemes, and coherent and non-coherent detection techniques. A summary of the various frequency bands and systems in use today is provided. Radiowave propagation is then discussed, covering path-loss, antenna gain, multipath, shadowing and fast fading. The unit will show how diversity techniques can be used to improve performance. This unit also provides you with an understanding of the theory, interpretation, design and application of signal processing techniques. Spectral descriptions of continuous-time and discrete-time waveforms are reviewed and related, and the FFT algorithm is used as a spectral analysis tool.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit will give you a holistic picture of the fundamental knowledge of communication systems and spectral analysis required by a holder of an MSc degree. It also provides the underpinning material to support the understanding of Communication Systems taught in subsequent units within our MSc programmes. This unit is mandatory for the relevant PGT programmes of study.
An overview of content
The unit will introduce and build your skills on communication systems and spectral analysis. The following topics will be considered:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will gain in-depth understanding of modulation techniques, signal processing and technologies underpinning contemporary communication systems. You will understand how the channel affects the design of the communication system and that different modulation schemes can be used for different environments and signal quality. You will explore techniques such as diversity to improve the performance.
Learning Outcomes
The unit will incorporate a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities, including lectures, pre-recorded material, self-directed exercises, and independent reading on the topics covered within the unit.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
During the course there will be formative coursework. You will receive feedback for reflective self improvement. This will directly contribute to your preparation for the unit’s summative assessment.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit will be assessed by a single closed book exam in the TB1 assessment period. The exam will assess all ILOs.
When assessment does not go to plan
In the event of unsatisfactory performance in the examinations, there may be an opportunity to resit the closed-book exam during the reassessment period.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EEMEM0001).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
