Module Specification

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Avionics and Communications Systems
Code AERO250
Coordinator Prof JF Ralph
Electrical Engineering and Electronics
 
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2020-21 Level 5 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims

To develop an understanding of basic communication systems, avionic systems, including radar, navigation and aircraft vision systems.


Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

 

Co-requisite modules:

 

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Be able to demonstrate their analytical skills to the design of simple avionic systems, indluding radio communications, radars and elementary EMC engineering

(LO2) Be able to demonstrate the use of the Friis and Radar Equations, as well as the concepts of noise and interference

(LO3) Be able to demonstrate their familiarity with, and ability to manipulate, the decibel notation that is used extensively in radar and radio systems

(LO4) Be able to demonstrate a familiarity with basic intertial and GPS navigation systems

(LO5) Be able to demonstrate an understanding of aircraft vision systems

(S1) Independent learning


Syllabus

 

1-2 Introduction : Communication systems; analogue and digital systems; signal bandwidth; signal to noise ratio; channel capacity; trade-offs in communication system design; modulation.

3-5 Amplitude Modulation: General idea of AM modulation; DSB-LC, DSB-SC, SSB and VSB modulations; modulation index, bandwidth and spectrum; AM demodulation; comparision of different AM systems in terms of power efficiency and bandwidth.

6-7 Angle Modulation: Frequency modulation (FM) and phase modulation (PM); narrow-band FM and PM; Carson's rule; modulation index, bandwidth and spectrum; generation and demodulation of FM signals.

8 Sampling: Sampling theorem; signal reconstruction; aliasing.

9 Digitisation & Quantisation: Signal digitisation and quantisation for aerospace systems.

10 Pulse Modulation: Quantising, encoding and line coding; pulse code modulation (PCM); pulse amplitude modulation, pluse width modulation and pulse phase modulation (PAM, PWM an d PPM); comparison of different pulse modulation methods.

11 Digital Modulation: Digital data transmission; amplitude shift keying, frequency shift keying and phase shift keying (ASK, FSK and PSK), comparisons; M-ary modulation.

12 Multiplexing: Frequency division multiplexers (FDM); time division multiplexers (TDM), spread-spectrum.
13 Block diagrams of radio and radar systems.

14 The radio frequency spectrum, radar and radio communication.

15 Basic electromagnetic wave theory and propagation

16 Radiation patterns of representative antennas - gain, directivity and efficiency

17 The Friis equation and the radar equation
18 I maging Radar: SAR and DBS

19 Radar Cross Section of Basic Objects.

20 An introduction to inertial navigation and GPS.
21 Aircraft Vision Systems and Infrared Imaging.

22 Aircraft Data Buses.

23 EMC and Safety Critical Systems.

24 Review


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Due to Covid-19, one or more of the following delivery methods will be implemented based on the current local conditions and the situation of registered students.
(a) Hybrid delivery, with social distancing on Campus
Teaching Method 1 - On-line asynchronous lectures
Description: Lectures to explain the material
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: On average two per week

Teaching Method 2 - Synchronous face to face tutorials
Description: Tutorials on the Problem Sheets
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average one per week

(b) Fully online delivery and assessment
Teaching Method 1 - On-line asynchronous lectures
Description: Lectures to explain the material
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: On average two per week

Teaching Method 2 - On-line synchronous tutorials
Description: Tutorials on the Problem Sheets
Attendance Recorded: Yes
No tes: On average one per week

(c) Standard on-campus delivery with minimal social distancing
Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lectures to explain the material
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average two per week

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description: Tutorials on the Problem Sheets
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average one per week


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 24

  12

      36
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 114
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Assessment 1 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. Assessment Schedule (When) :2  3 hours    70       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Class Test      30       

Reading List

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.