ECE5042 - Communications theory

Leader: M Premaratne

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will cover aspects of physical layer communications which are relevant to modern communication systems. Digital modulation techniques, including quadrature modulation and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) will be covered. The effects on noise on bit error rates will be covered, along with techniques to reduce them, including matched filtering and equalisation. Information theory covers questions of capacity, diversity, and error correction coding. Finally the use of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication systems will be covered.

Objectives

• knowledge of the fundamental limits of communication in noisy band limited channels
• knowledge of digital modulation techniques and the advantages and disadvantages of different techniques
• understanding of the properties of different communication channels and how channels can be modelled mathematically. Knowledge of the properties of modern error correcting codes
• understanding of how orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and Multiple Input Multiple output (MIMO) multiple antenna systems can be used in modern communication systems and the advantages and limitations of their use
• understanding of the statistical nature of communications. Skills to design and simulate modern communication systems using industry standard simulation tools

Assessment

Continuous assessment: 20%
Research/project/assignment activity: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 60%. Students must achieve a mark of 50% in all three components to achieve an overall pass grade.

Contact hours

3 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory and practice classes and 6 hours of private study per week

Prerequisites

Knowledge equivalent to ECE2041

Prohibitions

ECE4042