Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit will introduce communication protocol engineering and the software implementation of communication protocols using finite state machines as a communications protocol specification and their software implementation. Students will also learn software implementation of protocol data unit encoders and decoders using the Unix/C programming environment to manage buffer space, handle real-time communications protocol constraints and manage interrupts and polling of communications hardware.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will have
A knowledge and understanding of:

• design, role of software and implementation of communication protocols;
• description and implementation of finite state machines.

• implement protocol data unit encoders, decoders and circular buffers in software;
• handle polling and interrupt dispatch mechanisms and real time constraints on communications software performance;
• structure multithreaded and multiprocess communications software;
• analyse real-time and resource demands of communications protocols to determine appropriate implementation structures;
• evaluate communications software to determine that it meets the protocol and specifications;
• use the UNIX/C operating system environment for programming simple communication protocols using a finite state machine implementation;
• use operating system kernel facilities in their programs to ensure real-time protocol constraints are met by their communications software;
• test and verify that their software implementation meets the protocol specifications.

Assessment

Examination (2 hours): 30%; In-semester assessment: 70%

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs tutorials/wk

Prerequisites

Recommended knowledge: basic knowledge of networks, data communications and programming.

Prohibitions

CSE4883, FIT4014

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit5162/