CE330-6-AT-CA:
Telecommunication Principles
2020/21
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus & Apprenticeship Location
Autumn Special
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 08 October 2020
Friday 18 December 2020
15
03 August 2020
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
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This module aims to provide a detailed description of the data link layer of telecommunications systems and its interface with the physical layer of these systems. It starts by using the OSI model to place these layers in the context of the entire telecommunication system. It then describes the principal methods for the quantitative description of link signals, which then enables the fundamental link layer transmission media to be described as well as of baseband transmission. A discussion of link layer flow control and error correction naturally leads to description of link layer protocols. Finally, the transmission of digital signals over analogue links and analogue signals over digital lines are discussed. A coursework assignment will be set on the detailed planning of satellite up and down links.
This module is one of the most important modules for students who want to stay in the area of electronics engineering & computer science. It will teach the basic principles of telecommunication systems covering a wide range of topics such as signal basics (e.g., time versus frequency domains), baseband digital transmission (e.g., design guidelines & fundamental limits in sampling and then converting analog signals to digital signals), data transmission (e.g., with and without channel coding in view of noise and interference), modulation & demodulation (e.g., QAM versus PSK constellations), protocol basics (e.g., ARQ for retransmission). To enlighten the students, some practical problems as well as future trends (e.g., what is 5G and how 6G will evolve?) of communication systems will also be introduced.
This module will enable the students to gain a systematic understanding on a series of fundamental principles of telecommunication systems, qualitatively and quantitatively. The students will be able to apply these principles to analyse, design, and calculate a number of basic parameters (e.g., sampling rate, transmission rate, minimum signal-to-noise ratio) associated to typical telecommunication systems. The students will also gain a conceptual understanding on practical design challenges, evolution, and future trends of modern communication networks. By completing the three major assignments and with the aid of MATLAB for demonstration of key concepts, this module aims to develop the students’ interests, helping them pave a solid foundation to pursue a career in electronics engineering and/or computer science. Specifically, the students will gain different essential abilities to carry out the following tasks:
1. Demonstrate a full understanding of the main features of the OSI model.
2. Give comparative descriptions of the main properties of transmission media.
3. Show a full understanding of the principles of data encoding and error correction.
4. Show a full understanding of link-layer error correction and flow control techniques.
5. Describe link-layer protocols.
6. Describe how analogue transmission can be achieved over digital links.
7. Describe how digital transmission can be achieved over analogue links.
8. Show an understanding of how signals can be manipulated by means of integral transforms.
9. Use logarithmic techniques.
Outline Syllabus
1. Introduction:
* Telecommunications history;
* Communications model;
* Data communications networking;
* Computer communication protocols;
* OSI model.
2. Signal Basics:
* Time/frequency representation of signals and pulses;
* Bandwidth;
* Bit rate and symbol rate;
* Spectral efficiency.
3. Transform theory:
* Transform theory;
* Understand and manipulate signals in time;
* Frequency and probability domains.
4. Logarithm usage:
* Use dB units to design systems and investigate power levels.
5. Baseband Digital Transmission:
* Transmission model (noise, interference, sampling, decision);
* Pulse shaping;
* Inter-symbol interference;
* Eye diagram;
6. Transmission Media:
* Two-wire open system;
* Twisted pairs lines;
* Coaxial cables;
* Optical fibres;
* Satellite;
* Microwave;
* Radio.
7. Data Transmission:
* Basics;
* Bit serial;
* RTZ and NRTZ:
* Communication mode:
* Synchronous and asynchronous transmission;
* Packetisation;
* Character bit and frame synchronisation;
* Error detection;
* Flow control;
* Data compression;
* Transmission control circuits.
8. Protocol Basics:
* Error control;
* Idle RQ;
* Continuous RQ (selective and go-back-N);
* Link utilisation;
* Flow control;
* Sequence number;
* Link management.
9. Data Link Control Protocols:
* Introduction;
* Control-oriented protocols (simplex, half-duplex, duplex);
* Bit-oriented protocols;
* HDLC;
* Multilink procedure;
* Link access;
* Logical link control.
10. Attenuations and Distortions:
* Attenuation;
* Distortion;
* Noise (impulsive and white);
* Energy/bit;
* Propagation delay;
* Shannon-Hartley law.
11. Physical Layer Interface:
* Current loop;
* RS232;
* RS-449;
* X.21.
12. Transmission of Digital Signals over Analogue Lines:
* PSTN
* Modems;
* ASK;
* FSK;
* PSK;
* m-PSK;
* DPSK.
13. Transmission of Analogue Signals over Digital Lines:
* PCM, sampling;
* Sample-and-hold;
* Aliasing distortions;
* Quantisation distortion;
* Signal-to-quantisation noise ratio;
* Pre- and post-filtering;
* Grey code;
* Non-linear quantisation;
* Companding/expanding (A and ? law);
* Data rate for speech;
* Audio and video;
* Digital multiplexing and digital hierarchy;
* Data reduction;
* DPCM.
14. Demodulation:
* Non-coherent demodulation;
* Synchronous demodulation;
* Phase locked loop.
Due to COVID-19, this module will be live taught via Zoom for Academic Year 2020/21. All the lectures will be fully recorded and then uploaded to Moodle. After each lecture, there will be a one-hour Q&A Help Session with Zoom, during which questions regarding to this module will be addressed. There won’t be any lab for this module. Three major assignments will be given in Weeks 3, 6, 9.
This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non-essential items, please refer to the module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Assignment 1 |
|
33.33% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 2 |
|
33.33% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 3 |
|
33.34% |
| Exam |
Main exam: 180 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Zilong Liu, email: zilong.liu@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Zilong Liu, Professor Stuart Walker
No
No
No
Dr Yunfei Chen
University of Warwick
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 633 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
633 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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