SE2A2: Signals and Telecoms

Module Provider:

School of Systems Engineering

Number of credits:

20 [10 ECTS credits]

Level:

I (Intermediate)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn and Spring

Module Convenor:

Mr CG Guy

Pre-requisites:

CY1A2 EE1A2 EG1C2

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

CY2G2

Current from:

2005/6

Aims:
This module aims to show how information theory concepts can be applied to noisy channels, continuous sources and communications systems, to introduce techniques to describe and analyse signals, to introduce analog filters, and to provide understanding of the design and operation of telecommunications systems.

Assessable learning outcomes:
An ability to quantify information transfer in noisy channels, continuous sources and communications systems; to explain, apply and design coding techniques to minimise errors; to apply fundamental concepts to describe and analyse signals; to explain, analyse and design telecommunications systems; and to explain and apply analog filter techniques.

Additional outcomes:
EA2 topics: Design and analysis of information coding systems; signal analysis; design and analysis of telecommunications systems and analog filters.

Outline content:
Information and Signal Theory: Revision of Information Theory basics. Coding in noisy channels, Shannon's second theorem, coding methods. Information in continuous sources, ideal communication theorem, implications and applications. Gaussian distribution and application to error rates in noise. Random noise and its properties. More advanced time averages; autocorrelation, correlation, convolution and their properties. Fourier series, application to simple waveforms, complex form and applications; deductions and implications. Convolution Theorem. Theory and properties of Fourier Transforms, and their applications including autocorrelation, power spectrum, convolution and linear systems, and sampling theory.
Telecommunications: Amplitude modulation; DSB-LC, DSB-SC, SSB, VSB, modulators and demodulators. Frequency modulation; modulators and demodulators. Radio receivers; super-heterodyning. Effects of noise on communications systems; the performance of AM and FM systems in the presence of noise. Communication link budgets. PCM systems.
Analog filters: filter approximations; time-domain filters; passive filters; sensitivity; cascade synthesis; copying methods.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures supported by laboratory work

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
Assessment of Laboratory work
Relative percentage of coursework :
20%
Examinations:
One 3-hour paper in May/June
Requirements for a pass
40%
Reassessment arrangements
A resit examination in September.