Module Information
Module Identifier
EE23020
Module Title
Signals and Communication
Academic Year
2026/2027
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Assignments and Workshop Reports Two aspects to the report based on problems set to the students 2000 Words | 50% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Written exam | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Assignments and Workshop Reports Two aspects to the report based on problems set to the students 2000 Words | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Written exam | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Explain the basic concepts of information theory/noise and their importance in digital communication.
Categorise, review and compare communications systems and related real life applications based on their use, functionality and technology.
Apply mathematical techniques (Fourier, Laplace etc) in circuit analysis.
Show an understanding of the energy demands of communication links.
Brief description
This module provides the foundation knowledge on communications including the critical role of analogue and digital communications.
Aims
To provide knowledge of the fundamentals of linear systems theory and its application to the analysis of signals and system behaviour.
Basic communication systems will be explained including the critical role of analogue and digital communications in the modern world.
Basic concepts of information theory/noise and their importance in digital communications.
To understand the energy demands of the various communication links and their wide global role out.
Basic communication systems will be explained including the critical role of analogue and digital communications in the modern world.
Basic concepts of information theory/noise and their importance in digital communications.
To understand the energy demands of the various communication links and their wide global role out.
Content
The module covers detailed understanding of underlying theory, practical and the potential applications of modern communication technologies and future concepts. The module content includes:
Sinusoidal Signal Processing. Addition and multiplication of sinusoids of varying frequency, phase and amplitude. Energy and power in sinusoids.
Laplace Transform: The definition of Laplace transforms and their properties and applications, inverse Laplace transform, continuous-time poles and zeros concepts, circuit analysis by applying Laplace transforms.
Fourier Transform: The impulse response, transfer function, Fourier transforms for systems and signals and their applications, inverse Fourier transform, Fourier transform properties and their application to communication systems. Amplitude and phase Spectra. Bandwidth concepts. Power spectrum and power spectral density.
Z-Transform: Z transform and its applications.
Communication system overview: Introduction to elements of communication systems, coding, modulation, channels.
Analogue modulation and applications in the radio spectrum.
Digital Communication Schemes: Basic Mathematical analysis of ASK, FSK, BPSK. Coherent detection systems.
Baseband Transmission - Sampling. PAM.
Pulse code modulation and Differential pulse code modulation. Line coding. Multiplexing.
Energy demands of a communication links and relate to research that attempts to reduce this.
Briefly cover:
• Evolution of mobile technologies (1G to 4G)
• 5G and future of mobile technologies
Sinusoidal Signal Processing. Addition and multiplication of sinusoids of varying frequency, phase and amplitude. Energy and power in sinusoids.
Laplace Transform: The definition of Laplace transforms and their properties and applications, inverse Laplace transform, continuous-time poles and zeros concepts, circuit analysis by applying Laplace transforms.
Fourier Transform: The impulse response, transfer function, Fourier transforms for systems and signals and their applications, inverse Fourier transform, Fourier transform properties and their application to communication systems. Amplitude and phase Spectra. Bandwidth concepts. Power spectrum and power spectral density.
Z-Transform: Z transform and its applications.
Communication system overview: Introduction to elements of communication systems, coding, modulation, channels.
Analogue modulation and applications in the radio spectrum.
Digital Communication Schemes: Basic Mathematical analysis of ASK, FSK, BPSK. Coherent detection systems.
Baseband Transmission - Sampling. PAM.
Pulse code modulation and Differential pulse code modulation. Line coding. Multiplexing.
Energy demands of a communication links and relate to research that attempts to reduce this.
Briefly cover:
• Evolution of mobile technologies (1G to 4G)
• 5G and future of mobile technologies
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Creative Problem Solving | Ability to develop mathematical and computing skills used to model, drive and describe the physical world |
| Professional communication | Ability to plan, execute and report on an experiment, design or investigation |
| Reflection | Understanding the energy implications of communication systems |
| Subject Specific Skills | Understanding of fundamental concepts in Electrical and Electronic Engineering |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5