In this course, the student will be introduced to the basic principles of spectral analysis and shown how this relates to a communication system, generation and detection techniques. The student will gain an overview of analogue and basic digital communication system modulation.

2 one hour teaching session per week (lectures/tutorials)

3 three hour laboratory sessions

None.

None.

70% Degree Examination

15% Laboratory

10% Numerical Simulations

5% in-class tests

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below.

Exceptions to Reassessment

It is not possible to offer practical work in laboratories or in-class tests outside of the normal timetabled sessions

The aims of this course are to:

■ introduce the basic principles of signals and communication systems by means of spectral analysis;

■ gain an understanding of linear systems and signal filtering;

■ gain an overview of analogue and basic digital communication system modulation, generation and detection techniques;

■ provide practical illustrations of the behaviour of electronic signals under filtering and modulation.

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

■ Employ the techniques of Fourier Series, Fourier Transforms and Convolution to translate functions between time and frequency domains;

■ Apply the properties of Fourier Transforms and Convolution to simple filters (e.g. RLC circuits) to determine the time domain and frequency domain response of linear systems;

■ Identify and explain the operation of various modulation and demodulation techniques and strategies as they apply to communication systems;

■ Determine the bandwidth requirements and limitations of common modulation techniques;

■ Use an oscilloscope and spectral analyser to analyse time and frequency domain waveforms.

■ Numerical simulation of communication systems and performance analysis in noisy channels.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.

To ensure that a student will be awarded the credits for a course, he or she must complete the course and reach a minimum level of attainment. This requires that a student:

1. be present at lectures, laboratories and tutorials on at least 50% of occasions at which attendance is monitored,

2. satisfactorily complete and submit the assignments from the laboratories and tutorials

3. attend the degree examination and gain a nonzero mark

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher partici-pa-tion 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.