ECE3142 Digital communication
Faculty of Engineering
ECE3142 Digital communication is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2027 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs ECE2111.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2027
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
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Requisites
Before ECE3142
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
After ECE3142
No unit lists ECE3142 as a prerequisite in the 2027 handbook.
Overview
Digital communication techniques drive almost every part of the modern world. The vast volume of data that modern society depends on is transmitted across wired and wireless digital physical channels. This unit introduces the essential models and techniques for understanding channel operation, providing a foundation for you to design your own simple digital communication systems using simulation tools.
The key aspects of digital communication explored include modulation techniques such as quadrature modulation (QAM) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and their representations, the effects of noise on communication channel performance via bit error rate (BER), along with techniques to reduce these effects. Information theory concepts such as capacity, diversity, and error correction codes will be introduced. The unit explores the trade-offs between these concepts and how they apply to channel modelling, ending in advanced topics such as multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennas, which are crucial to the performance of modern wireless communication systems (5G/6G).
This unit forms part of the "Telecommunications infrastructure" and “Networks for connectivity' minors but can be taken as a stand-alone elective unit.
Offerings in 2027
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Blended |
Assessment
- Weekly lab simulation sessionsExerciseThreshold hurdle25%
- Mid-term assignmentExerciseThreshold hurdle15%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle60%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Formulate mathematical and statistical models for digital communication systems to understand their properties and capabilities.
- 2
Analyse the effects of noise on communication systems to determine their fundamental limits and apply modulation, filtering and error correction techniques to minimise bit error rates.
- 3
Discuss the performance characteristics, including advantages and limitations of digital modulation techniques including higher order modulation schemes, multicarrier modulations and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems.
- 4
Simulate physical layer communication systems using industry-standard tools to quantify and visualise the effects of modern performance improvement techniques.
Workload and teaching
- Applied sessions24 hours
- Laboratories22 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3 - 6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6 - 9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
This unit allows you to engage in guided, immersive experiences to develop relevant skills, knowledge and attitudes through simulation or virtual practice.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.
Learning resources
Required resources
BYOD. This unit requires access to a laptop that meets the minimum specification.
Technology resources
You will use the MATLAB and Simulink platforms to simulate communication channels.
Where it fits
ECE3142 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2027 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Shahed Khan
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Shahed Khan
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECE3142?
You need ECE2111 before you enrol; and ECE3141 before or alongside it.
When is ECE3142 offered?
In 2027, ECE3142 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is ECE3142?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECE3142 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ECE3142?
ECE3142 is part of Electrical and computer systems engineering; and Robotics and mechatronics engineering.