The course covers how signals in digital communication systems are detected, the sources of signal noise and resultant communication system error rates. Students examine the fundamental limits on information transmission, consider codes for error detection and correction, and develop an ability to analyse practical digital communications systems. Additionally, aspects of the performance characterisation and design of digital communication is addressed.

3 lectures plus1 coding consultation session per week co-delivered with ENG4052

ENG4052

50% Examination

5 times 10% coding assignment reports (M level assignments contain additional performance investigations and analysis)

The aim of this course is to provide students with a foundational understanding of the fundamental physical limits on information transmission, practical knowledge of industrially relevant noise models and error correcting codes in digital data transmission, and the ability to assess, analyse and design communication systems

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ describe the components of a digital communication system

■ analyse practical techniques for characterising digital communication systems 

■ apply appropriate digital modulation and demodulation techniques 

■ explain the concepts of information, entropy, bandwidth, channel capacity, noise and aliasing in digital communication channels subject to induced noise

■ devise appropriate error detecting and correcting codes given a system specification

■ develop code to demonstrate modulation/demodulation, carrier recovery, OFDM, effects of noise on a communications channel, apply forward error correction techniques

■ critically assess the performance of digital communication techniques

develop a high-level design of an industrially relevant practical digital communication system

Students must attend the degree examination and complete at least 75% by weight of all components of the course's summative assessment.

Students should attend at least 75% of the timetabled classes of the course.

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation/submission rates. Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.