Units
Introduction To Telecommunications
Unit code: ENB242
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
Telecommunications systems and the principles underlying their operations are introduced starting from mathematical preliminaries such as the Fourier series and the Fourier transform. Analogue modulation techniques (AM and FM), systems and circuits for generation and demodulation, analogue to digital conversion, pulse modulation and base-band digital data communication techniques are studied using time and frequency domain analyses.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Telecommunications systems enable information to be exchanged over a distance. Telephones (fixed lines and cellular), communication satellites, optical fibres, lasers, radio and television, facsimile machines, modems, etc. are examples of elements that go into telecommunications networks that we use everyday. They enable us to transmit and receive audio and video in analogue or digital form, printed text and digital data generated by computers. The study of techniques used in analogue and digital communications is essential for all electrical engineers. This unit covers the fundamental mathematical techniques needed to analyse and eventually design and implement telecommunications systems. It is placed in year 2 of the course as it assumes a background in differential and integral calculus obtained in year 1 and lays the foundation for future studies in communications, signal processing and systems.
Aims
This unit aims to provide the fundamental mathematical techniques required to model, design and implement telecommunications systems and devices in later units.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Derive the Fourier series and Fourier Transform representations of continuous time signals
2. Describe the behaviour of a linear time invariant system in both frequency and time domains
3. Demonstrate the basic principles of Amplitude and Angle Modulation
4. Describe the functions of the various components of a Telecommunications system.
Content
The following topics will be covered:
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Teaching Mode
Hours per week: 4
Lectures: 2
Tutorials: 2
Lab: 1 session
ENB242 will use a combination of lectures, tutorials and laboratory experiments with real world examples to realise the learning outcomes of the unit. The fundamental theories and principles will be introduced through lectures. In tutorials problem solving tasks of varying levels of complexity will be structured to draw out the concepts covered in the lectures. Laboratory exercises will enhance the learning experiences in this unit.
Lectures: You will attend a 2-hour lecture every week which will present the fundamental theoretical principles that govern the operation and design of measurement systems, and analog control systems. Lectures will include worked examples which are intended to assist with the problem solving exercises covered in tutorials.
Tutorials: You will attend 2 hours of tutorials every week. One hour will be devoted to problem solving while the other hour will be devoted to Matlab based exercises. These Matlab classes will be held in computer labs and will in many cases focus on the use of Matlab to analyse signals and illustrate the application of the theory covered in lectures.
Laboratory Experiments: There will be one laboratory experiment. You are expected to work in small groups and produce a brief report. Pre-lab work may be required and if so will form part of the assessment. You may be prevented from participating in an experiment if pre-lab work is not completed to a satisfactory level.
Assessment
Assessment for this unit consists of problem solving tasks, a laboratory report, and a final exam.
Formative Assessment:
You are required to complete ongoing problems throughout the semester related to key concepts to support your learning and prepare you for the final exam.You will receive written feedback on problem solving and project-related laboratory tasks throughout the assessment, oral feedback during the project presentation and written feedback on your final group report.
Assessment name:
Virtual Tutorials
Description:
You are required to solve a number of individualised problems on Fourier series.
Relates to objectives:
1. Derive the Fourier series and Fourier Transform representations of continuous time signals
2. Describe the behaviour of a linear time invariant system in both frequency and time domains
Weight:
10%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 13
Assessment name:
Project (applied)
Description:
Group Project & Lab Reports
You will be given a set of problems to solve, relating to several real world telecommunications problems and will submit a laboratory report.
Relates to objectives:
3. Demonstrate the basic principles of Amplitude and Angle Modulation
4. Describe the functions of the various components of a Telecommunications system.
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Week 8
Assessment name:
Examination (Theory)
Description:
Students will be required to solve problems related to all aspects of this unit
Relates to objectives:
1. Derive the Fourier series and Fourier Transform representations of continuous time signals
2. Describe the behaviour of a linear time invariant system in both frequency and time domains
3. Demonstrate the basic principles of Amplitude and Angle Modulation
4. Describe the functions of the various components of a Telecommunications system.
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Examination period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Type: Required
Author: Proakis, J.G. and Salehi, M..
Title: Contemporary Communication Systems using Matlab
Publisher: Brooks Cole
Year: 2000
Type: Required Software package -
Author: Mathworks
Title: Student Edition of Matlab
Publisher: Mathworks
Type: Reference
Author: Roden, M.S.
Title: Analog and Digital Communication Systems
Publisher: Prentice-Hall
Year: 1996
QUT Blackboard web site for unit ENB242
Additional Cost
Please note that the Student Edition of Matlab is not a compulsory purchase, and you are free to use the version of Matlab existing on the QUT network.
Risk assessment statement
You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.
You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory under the supervision of the lecturer/tutor and technical staff of the School. In any laboratory practicals you will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes or steel capped shoes).
You will undergo a health and safety induction before the commencement of the practical sessions and will be issued with a safety induction card. If you do not have a safety induction card you will be denied access to laboratories.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 02-May-2012
