Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Revolutionary developments in the field of Digital Communication Technology have enabled dramatic improvement in the characteristics of communication systems to meet the performance requirements for transmission of information for private, business and industrial and military applications. It is important for you as an Electrical Engineer to understand the fundamentals and applications of digital communication techniques.

Aims

This unit aims at providing you with an in depth understanding of the theory and applications of digital communications techniques. This is a highly technical unit and an emphasis will be put on the solution of technical problems and knowledge required to solve these problems.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Implement matched filters to detect signal in the presence of Additive White Gaussian Noise.
2. Use Huffman, Lempel and Ziv coding techniques for data compression.
3. Explain how various digital modulation schemes are implemented.
4. Explain & apply the principles of synchronisation in the context of digital communications.
5. Differentiate between and analyse the different types of multiplexing techniques and their applications.

Content

• Introduction to Digital Signal Processing


• Information Theory


• Coding Theory


• Base Band Pulse Transmission and Detection


• Digital Modulation Theory


• Synchronisation


• Multiplexing


• Spread Spectrum Communication


• Introduction to Data Communication Networks, Standards and Protocols

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode:
Hours per week: 5
Lecture: 4 hours per week
Tutorial: 1 hour per week

This is an intensive technical unit that integrates theory with practical through laboratory work and industry applications and examples, ongoing problem solving in tutorials and the practical project.

Assessment

The assessment for this unit will test your understanding of the theory and applications of digital communications techniques. A total 20% of the assessment is based on a Matlab project. A total of 20% will be based on a problem solving task. A final examination worth 60% will test your knowledge and problem solving skills on an individual basis.Questions are encouraged during lectures. Oral feedback is given during lectures and tutorials and class feedback on overall progress on assessment tasks. Written feedback is given for the project and problem solving task solutions are made available via Blackboard.

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: A Matlab based project carried out on an individual basis.
Relates to objectives: 1. Implement matched filters to detect signal in the presence of Additive White Gaussian Noise.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Wk 9

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: You will apply theory to practice through solving problems & applied examples.
Relates to objectives: 2. Use Huffman, Lempel and Ziv coding techniques for data compression.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Test your knowledge and understanding of contents 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Relates to objectives: 3. Explain how various digital modulation schemes are implemented.
4. Explain & apply the principles of synchronisation in the context of digital communications.
5. Differentiate between and analyse the different types of multiplexing techniques and their applications.
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam 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: Prescribed Textbook
Author: Sklar
Title: Digital Communications
Year: 2001
Publisher: Prentice-Hall
Edition: 2nd Edition

Type: Recommended Textbook
Author: Haykin
Title: Communications Systems
Year: 2000
Publisher: Prentice-Hall
Edition: 4th Edition

On-Line: QUT Blackboard

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 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: 03-May-2012