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2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
ELEC1410 Communications Systems
20 creditsClass Size: 150
Module manager: Dr D C McLernon
Email: d.c.mclernon@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2013/14
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
In order to pass this module, students must obtain a mark of at least 30% in the final examination, as well as obtaining an overall mark of at least 40% for the module.Objectives
This module gives students an introduction to modern communications systems including the mathematical treatment of analogue and digital signals in the time and frequency domain. In laboratory work, students gain familiarity with signal waveforms and their frequency domain nature using the oscilloscope and perform measurements on a digital communication optical link. In lectures, students learn the fundamentals of modern communications and broadcasting systems and the application of mathematical tools to modulation, demodulation, sampling, data compression and spectral analysis.Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- understand the principles of the operation and application of a representative range of communications and broadcasting systems;
- demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of communication principles, including communication channels (wired and wireless), analogue and digital signals, the radio spectrum, modulation and coding techniques;
- demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the mathematical principles behind signal analysis and be able to apply mathematical methods, tools and notations to the analysis and solution of communications problems;
- apply mathematical methods and modelling techniques to the analysis of communications systems, including basic analogue and digital, and time and frequency domain signal concepts and Fourier analysis;
- apply a systems approach to the analysis and design of communication systems;
- show confidence with the use of measurement equipment such as signal generators and oscilloscopes;
- show an understanding of user needs, design and economic and environmental issues relevant to selected contemporary consumer products for communications.
Syllabus
Introduction to telecommunications systems, mobile and wireless communications, computing and the internet.
Digital audio and video media and fundamentals of digital signal representation and data compression.
Advantages/disadvantages of digital communications.
Digital TV and Radio broadcasting. Spectrum management.
Basic concepts associated with signal and spectra; continuous and discrete systems.
Sampling and quantization of analogue signals and the definition of discrete and digital signals; trigonometric Fourier series.
Principles of digital processing and errorless transmission; error correction coding and decoding.
Channel capacity, digital modulation, introduction to frequency, time and code division multiplexing.
Frequency domain concepts of magnitude spectrum, phase spectrum and bandwidth. The mathematical basis of Fourier Series and determination of spectra of simple periodic functions of time.
Introduction to signal processing; lowpass, highpass and bandpass filters.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Lecture | 30 | 1.00 | 30.00 |
| Practical | 6 | 3.00 | 18.00 |
| Tutorial | 12 | 1.00 | 12.00 |
| Private study hours | 140.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 63.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 203.00 | ||
Private study
60 hours reading (2 hours per lecture);50 hours preparing and practising numerical examples for tutorials;
30 hours revision for exam.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Student progress will be monitored at tutorials and in lab classes. The January test will give quantitative feedback on student progress.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| In-course Assessment | January test (1 hour) | 20.00 |
| Report | Laboratory Log Book Report | 20.00 |
| In-course Assessment | Examples Sheets | 10.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Re-sit will be 100% exam based
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
In order to pass this module, students must obtain a mark of at least 30% in the final examination, as well as obtaining an overall mark of at least 40% for the module.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 10/04/2014
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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