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 Digital and Wireless Communications
Code ELEC477
Coordinator Dr X Yi
Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Xinping.Yi@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2022-23 Level 7 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims

To provide an extensive coverage of the theory and practice of digital and wireless communication systems. To allow students to be able to design and develop digital and wireless communication systems, with an awareness of all the main factors involved and of existing and emerging technologies.

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

Co-requisite modules:
 

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) On successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate a knowledge in applying the module topics to: Specify the requirements for a digital or wireless communication system, Design the optimum receiver for a communication system, Analyse the performance of a communication system, Critical thinking ability from evaluating and responding to issues such as unachievable or impractical specifications and impossible performance claims.

(LO2) After completion of the module, the student should have a good knowledge and understanding of: The nature of data and how it is stored and communicated. The limitations imposed on communication system performance and design by various factors, How noise arises in communications systems, and its effects of noise upon communications system behaviour and performance. Sources and effects of mobile radio propagations. Design of the optimum receiver and analysis of error probability for digital communications. How to achieve the goals of a communication system by trading off system parameters such as signal-to-noise ratio, error probability and bandwidth expenditure, Various multiuser communication techniques.

(S1) Time and project management - Personal organisation

(S2) On successful completion of the module, students should be able to show experience and enhancement of the following discipline-specific skills: Applying signal and system design to the engineering problems associated with communication systems, e.g., how to combat wireless fading channels, Identifying the channel degradation sources and their effects in a communications system, Simulation of a communication system via MATLAB.

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S4) Critical thinking and problem solving - Problem identification

(S5) Critical thinking and problem solving - Creative thinking

Syllabus
 

Introduction: Review of the purposes and contents of the course. Communication system model. Analogue vs. digital communications.

Important system parameters for communications, Tradeoffs in system design.

Noise and Random Processes Probability and random processes, Noise in communication systems, Channel capacity with noise.

Binary Digital Transmission Line coding Binary modulation: ASK, FSK, BPSK and DPSK Signal Space.

Optimum Receiver and Error Probability Optimum receiver (matched filter), Performance analysis: bit error rate (BER), symbol error rate (SER)

M-ary Modulation MASK, MFSK, MPSK and MQAM Performance analysis Tradeoffs among system parameters.

Channel Degradation Path loss Shadowing Fading.

Wireless Communication Technologies Multiuser technologies: FDMA, TDMA and CDMA, Evolution of wireless communications, Multiple-Input Multiple-Out (MIMO) Systems, Raised-cosine filtering, equalization OFDM.

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. It is anticipated that both a) & b) will be in operation for semester 1.
(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: Tu torials on the Problem Sheets
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: 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
(477) Written Exam There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 1 examination period  0    100       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             

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