Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE CCE2314

 
TITLE Introduction to Communications

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Communications and Computer Engineering

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will introduce basic telecommunication concepts, including the telecommunications system model, telecommunications channels, relationship between bandwidth, bit-rate, capacity, transmission
delay, multiplexing, modulation techniques, media, antennas and transmission lines.

Study-Unit Aims:

The study-unit aims at introducing basic background of communication systems. The concepts of modulation, transmission, and multiplexing on theoretical noise-free channels will be covered. Moreover, the study-unit presents the basic theory of simple antenna designs.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Distinguish between different analogue and digital modulation techniques;
- Value the notion of bandwidth and how this is shared amongst users;
- Assess the behavior of signals as they propagate on a transmission line;
- Determine the matching required for maximum power transfer;
- Develop simple antennas.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Select the appropriate modulation scheme;
- Work the delay a signal would experience while travelling on the medium;
- Read antenna patterns from datasheets.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- An Introduction to Analog and Digital Communications, 2nd Edition, Simon Haykin, Michael Moher.
- Digital and Analog Communication Systems (7th Edition or later), Leon W Couch II Prentice Hall.
- Fundamentals of Applied Electromagnetics, Fawwaz T. Ulaby, Prentice Hall.

Supplementary Readings:

- Communication Systems, F.G. Stremler, Addison Wesley.
- Electronic Communication Systems, Wayne Tomasi, Prentice Hall.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study, Practicum & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Practical SEM1 Yes 10%
Practical SEM1 Yes 10%
Practical SEM1 Yes 10%
Examination (2 Hours) SEM1 Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Saviour Zammit

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit