INFO240 - Signal Analysis and Processing
D3 – 2005
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this unit is enable students to learn about the technology and theory of signal processing and analysis. The
focus is on one-dimensional digital signals such as digitised sound and speech signals but the unit lays the foundation
for understanding two-dimensional signal processing for signals such as images and video.
The first semester is on the theory of signal processing and analysis using time and frequency domain representations.
The second semester concentrates on the software and hardware technologies used for signal processing. The first half
of second semester covers programming techniques using the C programming language and the second half of second
semester covers the computer hardware technologies involved, in particular, input/output devices and the
hardware/software interface.
An extensive laboratory program is an important part of the unit in gaining practical experience and understanding
theory.
TEXTBOOK
The textbook used is 'INFO240 Unit notes'. Other books and references are recommended in the notes.
LECTURES AND TUTORIALS
Two one-hour lectures are scheduled for each week but not all lecture times will be used. Consult the class schedule
for times when lectures are on. Four tutorials and twelve laboratory sessions also will be conducted in three-hour
sessions.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment is based on three components:
Examinations (mid-year and end-of year, both 30%)
Laboratories and tutorials (16)
Assignments (4)
60 %
30 %
10 %
A satisfactory performance in ALL aspects of the unit is required to pass.
EXAMINATIONS
Two closed book written examinations of one and one-half hours duration will be conducted, one mid-year and one at
the end of the year. Calculators will be permitted in the exams according to the policy of the Division of Information
and Communication Sciences. Students may be excluded from attendance at these examinations if they fail to
complete the laboratory sessions and assignments satisfactorily.
Attention is drawn to Clause 9 of the Bachelor Degree Regulations in Part II of the University Calendar regarding the
effect of illness or misadventure upon performance in the final examination. The latest date for submission of requests
for special consideration as detailed in this clause will be strictly enforced. Students with unsatisfactory results in
either the laboratory OR assignment components of the unit will NOT be offered a supplementary examination.
LABORATORY SESSIONS
Attendance
Attendance at laboratory sessions is compulsory. Any student who is absent from more than two sessions may not be
permitted to sit the examinations.
Experimental work and reports are to be written during the laboratory sessions with reports submitted at the end of
sessions for marking. To ensure reliability between laboratory days, it is prohibited to use the computers in the
laboratory for any purpose other than as directed.
Safety precautions
No student will be permitted to enter the laboratory without proper footwear. THONGS OR SANDALS ARE NOT
ACCEPTABLE. NO FOOD OR DRINK may be taken into the laboratory.
ASSIGNMENTS
There will be 4 assignments consisting of problems involving concepts covered in the lectures. Depending on the
assignment students either work individually or pairs and submit solutions as instructed on the assignment sheets.
Marks may be deducted for assignments submitted after the due date specified at the head of each assignment sheet
unless there is an unavoidable reason supported by documentary evidence e.g. medical certificate.
PLAGIARISM
The University considers plagiarism a very serious breach of acceptable behaviour for which there are strong
penalties. The University's policy on plagiarism is contained in the Handbook of Undergraduate Studies.
GENERIC SKILLS
Besides gaining the specific skills and knowledge associated with the unit topics, more general skills that you will
acquire in the unit include: general computer skills, teamwork skills, problem solving skills, laboratory skills, report
writing skills and general mathematics skills.
DEADLINES FOR DISCONTINUANCE
31 March: Discontinuing the unit before this date will attract no HECS liability and the discontinuation will be
recorded as not effectively enrolled. Discontinuance after this data will attract HECS liability and a grade of F will be
recorded unless proof of unavoidable interruption is given.
See Bachelor Degree Regulation 12 for details.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
C programming
Develop a general ability to program in C.
Learn specific program techniques to process numeric information and code mathematical formula.
Understand how to code large programs using multiple source files.
Learn how to construct fairly complex line-based user interfaces.
Learn how to do I/O programming down to the bit-level.
Learn how to convert program specifications into code.
Learn how and gain practical experience the Borland C++ program development environment operates.
Hardware
Understand how the different hardware elements of a computer operate.
Learn how computer bus systems operate.
Learn how computer I/O operates at the hardware level.
Learn how serial communication systems operate.
Understand how computer memory systems operate.
Learn how to quantitatively analyse and assess computer system performance.
Signal analysis
Learn how to represent signals in continuous and discrete time.
Understand the mathematical process of convolution.
Learn theory of linear systems.
Learn about problems of sampling signals such aliasing.
Learn how Fourier series, Fourier transform, discrete Fourier transform are used to obtain a spectral representation of
a signal.
Learn how windowing in the time domain works and its benefits.
PREREQUISITES
Students need to have programming knowledge (COMP125) to do C programming part of the unit and do the
practicals, electronics knowledge (ELEC166) to do the hardware part of the unit and sufficient mathematics
knowledge (MATH136) to the signal analysis and processing part of the unit. In terms of programming knowledge
they need to know about variables, constants, programming statements, structured code, control statements, compilers,
programming environments and the ability to understands and write program of moderate complexity. To do the
hardware:part of the unit they need to have a basic understanding of electronic systems, digital logic circuits, be able
to read simple circuit diagrams and block diagrams and understand the concepts of voltage and current. To do the
signal analysis and processing part of the unit they need to know about basic functions (sine, cos, exponential, log), do
integrals, be able to work with series and have a basic understanding complex numbers (including exponential form of
a complex number).
Charles Lee (D1 unit coordinator)
Rein Vesilo (unit coordinator)
E6A 242, 9850 9142
E6A 233, 9850 9133
cl@ics.mq.edu.au
rein@ics.mq.edu.au
February 2005