Module Details

Module Code: COMM C3601
Module Title: Digital Communications
Title: Digital Communications
Module Level:: 7
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Donnacha Lowney
Module Author:: Darren Kavanagh
Domains:  
Module Description: The aim of this module is to provide the student with knowledge and understanding in relation to the analysis and design of modern digital communication systems. The module focuses on the digital conversion processes; digital modulation schemes; data transmission principles; fundamental information theory and error correcting codes; as well as multicarrier and spread spectrum communication systems.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Apply knowledge of sampling and analogue to digital conversion processes.
LO2 Explain and compare the various digital modulation schemes.
LO3 Demonstrate knowledge of digital data transmission principles.
LO4 Examine fundamental information theory concepts and analyse error correcting codes.
LO5 Evaluate multicarrier and spread spectrum communication systems as well as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Sampling Analog to Digital Conversion
(i) sampling theorem, (ii) pulse code modulation (PCM), (iii) PCM in Carrier Systems (iv) digital multiplexing (v) differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) and adaptive differential PCM (ADPCM), (vi) Vocoders and Video Compression.
Data Transmission Principles
(i) digital communication systems (ii) line coding (iii) pulse shaping (iv) scrambling (v) digital receivers (vi) eye diagrams.
Information Theory
(i) Measure of information, (ii) source encoding (iii) Binary Symmetric Channels (BSC) (iv) channel capacity (v) Shannon’s equation (vi) frequency selective channel capacity (vii) Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems.
Error Correction Codes
(i) Redundancy (ii) linear block codes (iii) cyclic codes (iv) effects of error correcting (v) convolutional codes (vi) trellis diagrams (vii) code combining and interleaving (viii) soft decoding and Soft-Output Viterbi Algorithm (SOVA) (ix) Turbo Codes (x) Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) Codes.
Multichannel and Multicarrier Communication Systems
(i) Multichannel communications in AWGN (ii) single carrier Vs multicarrier modulation (iii) capacity of a non-ideal linear filter (iv) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) – modulation and demodulation (v) an FFT Implementation of an OFDM system (vi) spectral characteristics of multicarrier signals (vii) bit and power allocation and peak to average ratio in multicarrier modulation (viii) channel coding considerations for multicarrier modulation.
Spread Spectrum Communication Systems
(i) Model of Spread Spectrum Communication System (ii) Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) (iii) frequency hopped spread spectrum signals (iv) Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) (v) other types of spread spectrum (vi) synchronisation of spread spectrum systems.
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
(i) technical details of the radio interface (ii) hardware implementation (iii) security (iv) end applications.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment20.00%
Practical20.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Examination % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Class Assessment
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 10
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 4,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
CA Assignment/Research Exercise
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 14 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Students will complete a set of practical assignments and computational exercises in the laboratory with reports as deliverables.
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 60
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
The written examination will evaluate the extent of the student’s knowledge of the major learning outcomes.
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery will consist of lectures/tutorial sessions. Every Week 3.00 3
Practicals Contact Delivery will consist of practical sessions using measurement and test equipment and computational environments for modelling and simulation of communications systems. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Learning Time Non Contact Reading, assignments, study, tutorials, practical laboratory experiments and applied computational modelling and simulation exercises. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Contact Hours 5.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • B. P. Lathi and Zhi Ding. (2009), Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems, 4th. Oxford University Press, [ISBN: 978-019533145].
  • John G. Proakis and Masoud Salehi. (2007), Digital Communications, 5th. McGraw-Hill Education, [ISBN: 978-007295716].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Behrouz Forouzan. (2014), Data Communications and Networking, 5th. McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math, p.1264, [ISBN: 0073376221].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: