Faculty of Computing,
Engineering and Technology
MODULE HANDBOOK
COMMUNICATIONS
CE00038-2
Prepared by :
Alison Carrington
Date :
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Module Handbook / CE00038-2 / Communications / Sept. 2008 / Issue No. 1.
Module Overview
This module provides an introduction to analogue and digital communication
principles and techniques, including optical fibre communications, applicable to a
wide range of communication systems. Analogue and digital forms of communication
are considered and topics including modulation classifications, methods and
multiplexing are introduced. Noise and its affect on communication system
performance are considered. Applications to networks and systems, including radio
and satellite systems are considered. Learning is through classroom based lectures
and tutorials and laboratory based using software packages such as Matlab.
Assessment is based on integral laboratory based assignments and a final
examination.
Module Tutors and Contact Details
Module Tutors
Telephone
Room
Website
email
Alison Carrington
Mostafa Abdel-Aleem
(01785 35) 3292
(01785) 35 3255
C203
http://www.fcet.staffs.ac.uk/alg1
a.l.carrington@staffs.ac.uk
M.E.AbdelAleem@staffs.ac.uk
Module Learning Outcomes
1) Explain analogue and digital communication
Knowledge &
principles and systems.
understanding
2) Apply appropriate analytical techniques to critically
Analysis
evaluate communication processes and systems.
3) Use equipment and simulation models and the
Application
analytical skills to critically evaluate results and relate
them to theory.
4) Communicate ideas effectively.
Communication
Pattern of Delivery
Credits
Independent
Study Hours
Learning Hours
Total Learning
Hours
15
114
36
150
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Module Handbook / CE00038-2 / Communications / Sept. 2008 / Issue No. 1.
Lecture/Tutorial /Laboratories Guidance
This module is a 15 credit module with a total learning time of 150 hours. Averaged
over a 12 week semester this means that you should be working an average of 12.5
hours per week on this module.
The total learning time comprises 36 hours Learning hours (class contact) and 114
independent study hours. The 36 learning hours comprise 24 hours of lectures and
tutorials
(2 hours per week for 12 weeks) and 12 hours laboratory based ( 4
timetabled sessions of 3 hours each in weeks 7, 8, 9 and 10 on a Friday at
0900hrs for full-timers and weeks 4, 6, 8 and 10 on a Tuesday at 1500hrs for
part-timers).
Much of the material presented in class will be supported by handouts. Such
handouts are intended to present a wider background than is covered in class and
should be read in conjunction with the lecture notes. Examinations will normally be
based on the material presented in class.
Integral with the classroom based activities are laboratory based assignments,
designed to assist in the learning process.
Independent Study (or student centred learning) has 114 hours allocated. This
means that you should be doing about 9.5 hours per week on this module in addition
to the timetabled lecture and laboratory sessions.
In order to cover the module to the breadth and depth required for an honours
module, it is essential that you work the hours allocated to independent study.
Activities in independent study hours time include reading through the topics
presented in class, working on tutorials, using the library to read around topics
already covered, and to prepare yourself for the topics still to be covered. This time
should also be used to prepare yourself for the laboratory assignment, and writing up
the formal laboratory report.
Assessment
Assessment for this module is based on:

An Examination, of duration 2 hours, weighted at 50%

A log book record of laboratory based assignments and a written report on
one assignment, weighted at 50%.
To Pass the Module.
In order to pass the module you must obtain the minimum pass mark (grade point 2)
in both elements of the assessment , and obtain an average aggregate mark (based
on the 50/50 weighting) of at least 40% (grade point 4).
Work handed in after the set deadlines (i.e. late) will be awarded zero marks in
accordance with the Modular Framework Regulations (see your Student
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Module Handbook / CE00038-2 / Communications / Sept. 2008 / Issue No. 1.
Handbook). If there is a valid reason for late submission, the procedure for
extenuating circumstances must be followed which includes the requirement for
documentary evidence (eg a medical certificate if illness was the reason) and the
work may be accepted if the reason is considered to be sufficient justification.
Academic Dishonesty
Work submitted for assessment which is not your own work (eg copied from the
internet, from books, from each other or from other sources) will be disqualified and
awarded zero marks. The penalties for academic dishonesty are very severe and
may mean that you will fail this module with chance to resit. All work submitted must
be properly referenced and cross referenced to the relevant parts in the report.
Attendance
If you are to achieve your best, you must attend the lectures and tutorials, attend and
make good use of the laboratory sessions, and read the handout notes in
conjunction with the material covered in lectures.
Laboratories
Four laboratory sessions are timetabled for this module. You must attend your
specified time-slots in the laboratory; it will be difficult to make the time up later.
Laboratory based work is part of the teaching and learning process and is intended
to re-inforce the topics covered in lectures and link theory to practice. Therefore
make full use of the laboratory sessions allocated.
Keep a good log book record while you are in the laboratory; don’t use bits of paper
and then go away to write your log book, this does not make effective use of your
time.
Assessment will be based on the laboratory log book and one formal report.
Further information on the laboratory assignments will be provided during the
module.
Module Monitoring and Feedback
Feedback between students and module tutors is an important part of the module
monitoring process within the School and University, and towards the end of the
module you will be asked to complete a questionnaire for this module. As the module
tutors we will also ask you, from time-to-time, for your comments on the module. If
you perceive any problems, or have any issues or concerns that you wish to raise,
please ask the tutors in the class so that we can resolve them as quickly as possible,
(don’t wait for the questionnaire or for us to ask). You may also raise any issues
through your class representatives on Student/Staff Liaison and Award Management
Committees.
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Module Handbook / CE00038-2 / Communications / Sept. 2008 / Issue No. 1.
Proposed Teaching Plan
The table below shows the proposed teaching plan and is for guidance only.
Depending on how we progress and for reasons not yet forseen, what we actually do
might be different. It will be useful for you, for revision purposes, if you write in the
space provided, what we actually cover week-by-week.
Week/Date Topic Covered
1
Introduction and overview. Module assessment. Reference
block diagram.
Tutor
AC/MA
2
Amplitude Modulation. Double sideband, single sideband.
MA
3
Amplitude Modulation. Principle of AM applied to radio
transmitters and frequency division multiplexing.
MA
4
Frequency Modulation.
MA
5
Optical fibre communications.
MA
6
Digital modulation, ASK, FSK, PSK.
AC
7
Digital modulation, ASK, FSK, PSK.
AC
8
Noise, sources, noise figure.
AC
9
Noise temperature, calculations.
AC
10
Multiplexing, (FDM, TDM, CDM) and mobile communications.
AC
11
Contingency week, revision, examples.
AC/MA
12
Contingency week, revision, examples.
AC/MA
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Module Handbook / CE00038-2 / Communications / Sept. 2008 / Issue No. 1.
Reading list
There are many excellent (and expensive) text books on “communications”. Some
cover the broad area of communications, some focus on more specific topics such
as network communications, which in itself is a broad area.
You should use the library and familiarise yourself with the wide range of text
books and find those with a presentation style that suits you.
The following books are recommended reading for this module:
1) Ifiok Otung, 2001,
‘Communication Engineering Principles’, Palgrave, ISBN 0-333-77522-8
2) Ferrel G. Stremler, ‘Introduction to Communication Systems’. Addison
Wesley.
3) Leon W. Couch, ‘Digital and Analog Communication Systems’. Macmillan.
4) Modulation
5) Noise
These are separate books in a series:
“Introductory Topics in Electronics and Telecommunications”
by F.R.Connor, Edward Arnold.
Handout notes will be issued to cover most of the topics covered in class. Please
read them.
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Module Handbook / CE00038-2 / Communications / Sept. 2008 / Issue No. 1.