Course Module Description
General module information
Title: Communication and Media Technologies
Type: course module
Language of instruction: English
ECTS points: 5 ECTS
Period: 1 February 2016 — 30 June 2016
Placement
4th semester, ITCOM 4, Communication and media technologies
Module coordinator
Copenhagen: Reza Tadayoni (coordinator), Maiken Keller (secretary)
Academic content and relationships to other modules/semesters
The formal study plan description of the module can be found here (page X):
http://www.sict.aau.dk/digitalAssets/112/112034_itcom-study-plan-sept-2015.pdf (page 30).
The course starts with the basic technologies like modulation spectral efficiency and channel capacity.
Then the course deals with the communication link, including spectrum resources, radio propagation. The
course is further concerned with the network architecture and the major parameters, which are important in
design of network infrastructures. Finally, some examples of communication systems are given with focus
on wireless and mobile. The course gives the theoretical /technical understanding necessary for the
semester project.
Objectives and learning goals
The objective of this course is to give the students an understanding of the Communication networks
(Mobile / Wireless), their architecture, topologies and standards.
Students who complete the module must have knowledge about:
• the structure of a communication network, including the specific characteristics of communicative
versus distributive networks
• different network topologies and architectures and their advantages and disadvantages in relation
to specific applications
• the reference models used in communication networks, including the OSI and TCP/IP reference
models
• different modulation and multiplexing technologies
• different transmission media technologies
• radio propagation
• QoS parameters and services classes
• mobility issues in communication networks
• the main mobile and wireless communication standards and the major media infrastructure
technologies, including digital TV and radio
Extent and expected work load
Since it is a 5 ECTS course, the workload is expected to be 150 hours for the student. There will be a
number of lectures (about 10) for the different subjects, and there will be group work and lab exercises.
4 mandatory assignments will be given during the semester.
In Moodle, information about primary and supplementary literature is provided, and it is expected that you
have read the literature belonging to each lecture before the actual lecture is given. This means that with
10 lectures/exercises of 4 hours you have used 40 hours, leaving about 5 hours per lecture to read the
literature and review the slides and other material before and after the lecture; 30 hours to complete
exercises and assignments; and finally 30 hours for preparation for the exam. It is strongly recommended
that you use this amount of hours for the course to be able to pass the examination.
Pre-requisites for participation
The prerequisites for participation are listed in the study plan:
http://www.sict.aau.dk/digitalAssets/101/101072_95364_bsc-itcom-150129.pdf
Examination
Internal individual oral examination based on the assignments. The students must deliver 4 assignments
during the course with strict deadlines. During the examination, the students draw a number that indicates
the assignment number, which will be the point of departure for the examination. The questions will
however go beyond the assignment and relate to the whole curriculum.