Module and Programme Catalogue

Search site

Find information on

2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ELEC1420 Communications Systems

10 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Des McLernon
Email: d.c.mclernon@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The teaching and assessment methods shown below will be kept under review during 2021-22. In particular, if conditions allow for alternative formats of delivery, we may amend the timetable and schedule appropriate classes in addition to (or in place of) any online activities/sessions. Where learning activities are scheduled to take place on campus, it may be possible and/or necessary for some students to join these sessions remotely. Some of the listed contact hours may also be optional surgeries. Students will be provided with full information about the arrangements for all of these activities by the module staff at the beginning of the teaching semester.‘Independent online learning’ may involve watching pre-recorded lecture material or screen-casts, engaging in learning activities such as online worked examples or mini-projects, etc. Students will be expected to fully engage with all of these activities. The time commitment for independent online learning, and also the frequency and duration of online sessions are approximate and intended as a guide only. Further details will be confirmed when the module commences.Where assessments are shown as Online Time-Limited Assessments, the durations shown are indicative only. The actual time permitted for individual assessments will be confirmed prior to the assessments taking place.

Objectives

This module gives students an introduction to the basic building blocks of modern communications systems. It introduces familiarity with the technical concepts of both wired and wireless communication networks and prepares them for more advanced studies in the coming years.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Describe the operating principles of basic communication systems and networks, including communication channels (wired and wireless), analogue and digital signals, the radio spectrum, basic modulation and coding techniques.
2. Identify the basic modules of a typical communications system and classify the performance of various communications systems.
3. Apply mathematical and computational methods to analyse basic communications signals and functions, including analogue-to-digital conversion, modulation and error-correction.
4. Discuss the key features of a representative range of communications systems.


Syllabus

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

Review of communications signals
RC Low-pass filters; concepts of low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters
Concept of bandwidth/spectrum
Analogue versus digital signals
Sampling theorem (non-mathematical)
A-to-D & D-to-A converters; quantisation
Overview of the basic building blocks of communications systems
Concepts of bits and symbols
The concept of modulation, e.g., line codes and RF modulation
Introduction to digital modulation, e.g., BPSK and QPSK
Introduction to data compression (e.g., in HDTV, Cellular mobile)
Introduction to error correction and detection (e.g., repetition codes, parity bits)
Communication case studies taken from satellite communications, cellular mobile, and digital TV
Concepts of basic digital signal processing (DSP)

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
On-line Learning21.002.00
Laboratory41.004.00
Examples Class161.0016.00
Independent online learning hours22.00
Private study hours56.00
Total Contact hours22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

Students are expected to use private study time to consolidate their understanding of course materials, to undertake preparatory work for seminars, workshops, tutorials, examples classes and practical classes, and also to prepare for in-course and summative assessments.


Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students studying ELEC modules will receive formative feedback in a variety of ways, including the use of self-test quizzes on Minerva, practice questions/worked examples and (where appropriate) through verbal interaction with teaching staff and/or post-graduate demonstrators.

Methods of assessment


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment1 hr 00 mins30.00
Online Time-Limited assessment1 hr 00 mins30.00
Online Time-Limited assessment2 hr 00 mins40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)100.00

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 29/06/2021 16:47:29

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD

© Copyright Leeds 2019