CHM5010 - INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEMATICS

Module Identifier	CHM5010
Module Title	INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEMATICS
Academic Year	2001/2002
Co-ordinator	Dr Myra Wilson
Semester	Semester 1
Other staff	Mr David Price, Mr Frank Bott
Pre-Requisite	CH11020 , Available only to students taking the Diploma/MSc in Computer Science scheme in Aberystwyth.
Course delivery	Lecture	22 Lectures
	Practical	Up to 4 x 2hr
Assessment	Supplementary examination	Supplementary examination will take the same form, under the terms of the Department's policy.
	Exam	2 Hours	100%
Further details	http://www.aber.ac.uk/compsci/ModuleInfo/CHM5010

Brief description

The purpose of this module is to present an introduction to the problems encountered and the methods used in modern computer based communications systems.

Aims

This module aims to give an introduction to the area of Computer Communications and Telematics. The two main aims of the module are to:

provide sufficient foundation for students to study CHM5610 ;

provide sufficient experience of the subject matter to allow students to use the knowledge in their careers.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

plan networks that are cost effective and realistic in terms of products and services currently available;
critically assess proposed networking solutions;
investigate, and propose solutions to, problems of quality of service;
assess the effect of likely technological and regulatory developments on existing network applications.

Syllabus

1. Introduction - 1 Lecture

2. History of Communications - 2 Lectures
A brief history of the development of both the technology and regulation of communication systems. Common Carriers; UK carriers: British Telecom, Mercury, Kingston and the new market entrants. Internet and its history and evolution. The UK academic network and its development, regulation and operation.

3. Telematic Applications - 3 Lectures
The range of applications, their characteristics, requirements and usage.

4. Basics of Data Communication - 4 Lectures
Analogue and digital data transmission; Synchronous and Asynchronous transmission; Parallel and Serial transmission; Modems and the PSTN, concentrators, multiplexors; Co-ax, twisted pair, fibre optic media; Speed, distance, error rates of various transmission media.

5. Local Area Networks - 2 Lectures
Bus, Ring, Star topologies; Cost of attaching devices to networks; Media access and sharing strategies.

6. Wide Area Network technologies and services - 4 Lectures
Public Switched Networks and private lines; Kilostream, Megastream and similar services; N-ISDN; Examples of WANs.

7. Standards - 2 Lectures
The needs for standards and the area they cover; Standards setting process; Standards setting bodies; BSI, ISO, ANSI, IEEE, CCITT, IAB; IETF; De facto standards.

8. An Introduction to Internet and Other protocols - 3 Lectures
ISO Model, IP, TCP, UDP, FTP, Telnet.

9. Security of Information Systems - 1 Lecture
Need for security and its cost; Risk assessment; Simple techniques; Passwords and Badge readers; Deficiencies of simple approaches; The Orange Book standard.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Gordon Brebner. (1997) Computers in Communication. McGraw Hill ISBN: 0077091981
Lewis Mackenzie. (1998) Communications and Networks. McGraw Hill ISBN: 0077092732