Overview
In this unit, you will gain experience in designing, dimensioning and simulating communication systems and networks. You will be introduced to the relevant communication principles and techniques, common signal transmission media, transmission mechanisms and modes and signal processing techniques used in communication systems. You will apply mathematical analysis techniques to study different telecommunications systems and their applications, including wireless and optical fibre communications. You will also be introduced to the concepts of data communication and local area network. In addition, this unit will provide you with opportunities to further develop communication skills through collaborative teamwork and individual presentations.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre requisites: (ENEE13018 Analogue Electronics AND ENEE13020 Digital Electronics) OR ENEX12002 Introductory Electronics
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2022
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator's reflection
Review the unit content and identify opportunities for sharing resources with the advanced communications systems unit.
Restructure the unit's content to incorporate wireless and optical communications' content.
Feedback from Unit's survey
The design assignment was challenging and provides a good learning activity, but it is too open and thus it is a bit more guesswork.
The design assessment provides an authentic assessment and an opportunity for applying concepts learned in this unit. It therefore will be retained and structured better to remove unnecessary assumptions made.
Feedback from Unit's survey
Lecture slides feel crowded having a lot of concepts covered at one time.
Improve the lecture slides to have a single concept per slide.
- Apply the fundamental concepts and principles of communications systems, including modulation, signal transmission media and modes, signal processing tasks and error control mechanisms
- Explain the operation of modern communications network devices and systems
- Apply mathematical analysis techniques to solve telecommunication systems problems
- Evaluate the performance of communication systems and networks
- Design simple communication systems and networks using appropriate analytical tools
- Create professional documentation of the solutions, designs and analysis process using electrical terminology, diagrams and symbols that conform to the Australian Standards.
The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards for Professional Engineers in the areas of 1. Knowledge and Skill Base, 2. Engineering Application Ability and 3. Professional and Personal Attributes at the following levels:
Introductory
Intermediate
Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for further information on the Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers and course level mapping information
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15% | ||||||
| 3 - Online Test - 25% | ||||||
| 4 - Project (applied) - 30% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Textbooks
Fiber Optic Communications
Edition: 5 (2005)
Authors: Joseph C. Palais
Pearson
ISBN: 9780130085108
Binding: Hardcover
Principles of Electronic Communication Systems
Edition: 4 (2016)
Authors: Louis Frenzel
McGraw Hill
ISBN: 9780073373850
Binding: Hardcover
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- eBooks from the CQUniversity Library
- Online Resources from Library
- Online Resources as specified on Moodle
- Microsft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Zoom Capacity (microphone required, webcam preferred if possible)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.bui@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Amplitude Modulation
Chapter
Modern Electronics Communication 9ed by Beasley and Miller in the Moodle's eReading list, Chapters 2,3, and 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Frequency Modulation
Chapter
Modern Electronics Communication 9ed by Beasley and Miller in the Moodle's eReading list, Chapters 5, and 6.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Data Transmission Techniques
Chapter
Modern Electronics Communication 9ed by Beasley and Miller in the Moodle's eReading list, Chapter 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Signal Encoding, Error Detection and Correction
Chapter
Modern Electronics Communication 9ed by Beasley and Miller in the Moodle's eReading list, Chapter 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Quiz 1 due Friday 11:55 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Data Communication Networks and the Internet
Chapter
Data and Computer Communications, 10 ed, William Stallings, Chapters 1, 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Transport Layer
Chapter
Data and Computer Communications, 10 ed, William Stallings, Chapters 15, 20
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Network Layer
Chapter
Data and Computer Communications, 10 ed, William Stallings, Chapters 14, 19, 21
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Quiz 2 due Friday 11:45 PM AEST
Module/Topic
Data Link Layer
Chapter
Data and Computer Communications, 10 ed, William Stallings, Chapters 7, 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Local Area Networks
Chapter
Data and Computer Communications, 10 ed, William Stallings, Chapters 11, 23
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Ethernet
Chapter
Data and Computer Communications, 10 ed, William Stallings, Chapter 12, and Course Online Resources as specified in the Moodle's eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Quiz 3 due Friday 11:45 PM AEST
Module/Topic
Wireless LANs and Mobile Networks
Chapter
Data and Computer Communications, 10 ed, William Stallings, Chapters 13, and 10, and Course Online Resources as specified in the Moodle's eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Networked Control Systems
Chapter
Course Online Resources as specified on the Moodle's eReading list
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The prescribed textbooks specified in the unit profile have been changed to the following prescribed textbooks:
1) Modern electronic communication [various pages from book] / [electronic resource] Jeffrey S. Beasley and Gary M. Miller
Author: Beasley, Jeffrey S.
Publisher: Pearson/Prentice Hall
Publication Date: 2008
Edition: 9th edition
Place of Publication: Upper Saddle River, N J. ;
ISBN: 9780132251136
2) Title: Data and computer communications / William Stallings ; with contributions by Moumita Mitra Manna.
Author: Stallings, William,
ISBN: 9781292014388
Edition: Tenth edition, International edition.
Publisher: Pearson Education
You can find further information about the above textbooks from the eReading List in Moodle.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
The assessment is a set of 3 online quizzes which can be accessed via the unit Moodle site. A set of multiple choice and calculation questions is assigned for each week. The quizzes are an integrated part of the study to test on the key concepts of each topic. Although the quizzes don't have a set time to complete, the suggested time for each quiz is provided at the start of the quiz and you should try to complete the quiz in that time. Students are strongly advised to sufficiently cover the material related to each quiz before starting the quiz.
Each quiz can be attempted several times, but the score for the quiz will be the score for your first attempt. In your different attempts you will be receive different problems as the system randomly select the problems from a set of problems specified for each question. Correct answer for the quiz questions will be available immediately after you submit your answers.
If you encounter any network access issues during the quiz, the unit coordinator should be notified at your earliest convenient.
3
Other
Friday weeks 4, 7, 10 11:59 pm
Results are available immediately after the completion of each quiz.
No Assessment Criteria
- Apply the fundamental concepts and principles of data communications, including modulation, signal transmission media and modes, signal processing tasks and error control mechanisms
- Explain the operation of modern data communications network devices and systems
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
2 Written Assessment
This assessment item covers the topics 1-5. The assignment questions will be released on the unit website at least 3 weeks before the assignment must be submitted for assessment. It is not expected that students will type up equations and calculations. Students can scan clear and legible hand written calculations for online submission.
Week 6 Monday (18 Apr 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
PDF is the preferred submission format
Within 2 weeks after the due date
The assignment will be graded using the following criteria:
- Correct answers;
- Correct format;
- All workings must be shown to obtain marks;
- Assignment must be neat, tidy and legible;
- All questions must be attempted.
- Apply the fundamental concepts and principles of data communications, including modulation, signal transmission media and modes, signal processing tasks and error control mechanisms
- Explain the operation of modern data communications network devices and systems
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
3 Written Assessment
This assessment item covers the topics 6-11. The assignment questions will be released on the unit website at least 3 weeks before the assignment must be submitted for assessment. It is not expected that students will type up equations and calculations. Students can scan clear and legible hand written calculations for online submission.
Week 11 Monday (23 May 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
PDF is the preferred submission format
Within 2 weeks after the due date
The assignment will be graded using the following criteria:
- Correct answers;
- Correct format;
- All workings must be shown to obtain marks;
- Assignment must be neat, tidy and legible;
- All questions must be attempted.
- Apply mathematical analysis techniques to solve telecommunication systems problems
- Evaluate the data communication standards used in the instrumentation and control environments
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
4 Report
Students perform a conceptual design of a communication network that meets some specified requirements and report on various aspects of the design including the network topology, dimensioning of capacity and selection of suitable network equipment.
Review/Exam Week Monday (6 June 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
PDF is the preferred submission format
Within 2 weeks after the due date
No Assessment Criteria
- Apply mathematical analysis techniques to solve telecommunication systems problems
- Evaluate the data communication standards used in the instrumentation and control environments
- Design simple communication networks using appropriate analytical tools
- Create professional documentation of the solutions, designs and analysis process using electrical terminology, diagrams and symbols that conform to Australian Standards.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
