Module Identifier COM5010  
Module Title INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEMATICS  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Dr Mora McCallum  
Semester Available all semesters  
Pre-Requisite CO11020 , Available only to students taking the Diploma/MSc in Computer Science scheme in Singapore.  
Course delivery Contact Hours   34 hours of contact time plus about 65 hours of self study, practicals and assessment.  
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/COM5010  

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:

Learning outcomes


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

Syllabus


1. Introduction


2. History of Communications
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
The range of applications, their characteristics, requirements and usage.


4. Basics of Data Communication
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
Bus, Ring, Star topologies; Cost of attaching devices to networks; Media access and sharing strategies.

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


7. Standards
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
ISO Model, IP, TCP, UDP, FTP, Telnet.


9. Security of Information Systems
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