ECE4042 Communications theory
Faculty of Engineering
ECE4042 Communications theory is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2023 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs ECE2041 or ECE3141.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2023
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2023 handbook entry. See the 2024 entry.
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Requisites
Before ECE4042
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After ECE4042
No unit lists ECE4042 as a prerequisite in the 2023 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prohibition: ECE5042
Overview
This unit will cover aspects of physical layer communications which are relevant to modern communication systems. Digital modulation techniques, including quadrature modulation and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) will be covered. The effects of noise on bit error rates will be covered, along with techniques to reduce them, including matched filtering and equalisation. Information theory covers questions of capacity, diversity, and error correction coding. Finally the use of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication systems will be covered.
Offerings in 2023
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Weekly simulation interactive sessionsThreshold hurdle25%
- Mid-term assignmentThreshold hurdle15%
- Final assessmentThreshold hurdle60%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Knowledge of the fundamental limits of communication in noisy band limited channels
- 2
Knowledge of digital modulation techniques and the advantages and disadvantages of different techniques
- 3
Understanding of the properties of different communication channels and how channels can be modelled mathematically
- 4
Knowledge of the properties of modern error correcting codes
- 5
Understanding of how orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) multiple antenna systems can be used in modern communication systems and the advantages and limitations of their use
- 6
Understanding of the statistical nature of communication
- 7
Skills to design and simulate modern communication systems using industry standard simulation tools.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures12 hours
- Practical activities11 hours
- Laboratories22 hours
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.
Where it fits
ECE4042 is part of 1 area of study in the 2023 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Yi Hong
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Yi Hong
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECE4042?
You need ECE2041 or ECE3141 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is ECE4042 offered?
In 2023, ECE4042 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is ECE4042?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECE4042 have an exam?
No. ECE4042 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include ECE4042?
ECE4042 is part of Electrical and computer systems engineering.