EEE8128 : Communications and Signal Processing (Coursework)
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Tongyang Xu
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To ensure students have a sound knowledge of the fundamental concepts of simulation techniques for wireless communication systems.
To provide experience and develop skills in the simulation of communication systems using MATLAB.
To develop skills in mapping theoretical concepts to fast signal processing algorithms as required for modern wireless communications.
To ensure students can assess the complexity involved in the computation of digital signal processing algorithms and be able to recommend hardware specifications that meet the requirements.
Outline Of Syllabus
Part A
The bit error rate (BER) performance of a digital communication link using a state-of-the-art modulation scheme such as high order Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) in conjunction with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) will be investigated via MATLAB simulations in mobile wireless communications channels and in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) by utilizing functions available in the Signal Processing and Communications toolboxes and additional programming. This module aligns with the advancements in wireless communication technologies, particularly in the context of 5G and the requirements of future 6G systems. The MATLAB simulations will provide insights into the performance of state-of-the-art modulation techniques within the dynamic and challenging environments characteristic of modern and future wireless communication networks.
Part-B
Lecture on Matlab programming
Part-C
Lab exercise for Matlab programming tasks in Part-B
Part-D
Lab exercise for the communication system design tasks in Part-A
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 14:00 | 14:00 | Preparation of software code for computer assessment. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 35:00 | 35:00 | MIMO assignment in MATLAB and writing of report including formative assessment. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 35:00 | 35:00 | OFDM assignment in MATLAB and writing of report including formative assessment. |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Lab-based activities: MATLAB implementation of wireless communication algorithms |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Software development skills, in students own time. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Review of lecture notes and general reading. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Lectures delivered in class |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module will be taught off-line in class in a block teaching mode. The module will introduce the required background knowledge and give the students guidance on how to implement in MATLAB the different stages of the communication links under consideration. Each programming activity (1 hour) will be supported by a 1 hour lecture, where the theory behind the tasks to be completed is introduced, and the programming methods and software tools to be utilized are outlined. A set of guidance notes is also provided. Additional support will be provided by interleaved online Q&A sessions. The simulation techniques and software implementation of communication and DSP systems is most effectively taught with this hands-on approach, allowing the students to discover how signal processing theory can be applied in practice and how to diagnose problems. The students also have significant scope to show initiative and to investigate a variety of solutions to a given problem.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 75 | OFDM simulation and MIMO, 3000 word report to be submitted online. |
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 25 | MATLAB code development and implementation. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Problem-solving and Matlab programming skills. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The module is assessed via report writing and software code development. Report writing assesses the understanding of underlying theoretical concepts, while simulation, implementation and modelling is assessed via software code development in Matlab. The programming sessions consider the various concepts explained in the lectures and provide students with several practical problems encountered by R&D engineers in the telecommunication industry.
The formative exercises will be designed to progressively build upon each other, allowing students to apply their knowledge to solve real-world communication system challenges, develop their problem-solving and Matlab programming skills incrementally.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- EEE8128's Timetable