ECE3142 · Digital communication

Overview

Digital communication techniques drive almost every part of the modern world. The vast volume of data that modern society depends on is transmitted across wired and wireless digital physical channels. This unit introduces the essential models and techniques for understanding channel operation, providing a foundation for you to design your own simple digital communication systems using simulation tools. The key aspects of digital communication explored include modulation techniques such as quadrature modulation (QAM) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and their representations, the effects of noise on communication channel performance via bit error rate (BER), along with techniques to reduce these effects. Information theory concepts such as capacity, diversity, and error correction codes will be introduced. The unit explores the trade-offs between these concepts and how they apply to channel modelling, ending in advanced topics such as multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennas, which are crucial to the performance of modern wireless communication systems (5G/6G). This unit forms part of the "Telecommunications infrastructure" and “Networks for connectivity' minors but can be taken as a stand-alone elective unit.

Areas of study: Minor: Networks for connectivity Minor: Telecommunications infrastructure

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Continuous assessment: 40% Final assessment 60% This unit contains threshold hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Formulate mathematical and statistical models for digital communication systems to understand their properties and capabilities.
2. Analyse the effects of noise on communication systems to determine their fundamental limits and apply modulation, filtering and error correction techniques to minimise bit error rates.
3. Discuss the performance characteristics, including advantages and limitations of digital modulation techniques including higher order modulation schemes, multicarrier modulations and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems.
4. Simulate physical layer communication systems using industry-standard tools to quantify and visualise the effects of modern performance improvement techniques.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3 - 6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6 - 9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.