ECE4045 Network performance
Faculty of Engineering
ECE4045 Network performance is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2025 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs ECE2041 or ECE3141.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
No reviews yetNo reviews yet. Be the first to review ECE4045.
Requisites
Before ECE4045
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After ECE4045
No unit lists ECE4045 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prohibition: ECE5045
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This unit addresses the fundamental concepts and analytical tools for modelling, predicting and improving the performance of telecommunication networks. It also introduces simulation methods. First, performance modelling of a packet switch is covered. Then, a comparative analysis of routing algorithms is covered from a graph theory perspective. Third, methods to provide an integrated service to a set of traffic demands with different qualities of service are studied. Then, congestion in telecommunication networks is covered, and effectiveness of various congestion and flow control algorithms and protocols are investigated. The focus then shifts to individual links and nodes, and queuing theory is introduced and its applications in networks are analysed. Then, recent advances are studied to show how the analytical and simulation knowledge learnt in this unit could be applied in real life.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Simulation laboratoriesQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle20%
- AssignmentsWrittenThreshold hurdle20%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle60%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Evaluate network performance problems using node or link-based analysis, graph theory and queuing theory.
- 2
Compare and contrast different routing, traffic management, congestion control and flow control algorithms and protocols.
- 3
Simulate complex networks and analyse their performance using discrete-event modelling.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Laboratories24 hours
- 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.
Learning resources
Required resources
- Library reading list
- Python/SimPy
Where it fits
ECE4045 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
- ECSYSENG04Core List BElectrical and computer systems engineeringNo reviews yet
- NTWCONTY02Studying electrical and computer systems engineering specialisationNetworks for connectivityNo reviews yet
- ROBMCTRN04Robotics and mechatronics engineering technical electivesRobotics and mechatronics engineeringNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Gayathri Kongara
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Gayathri Kongara
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECE4045?
You need ECE2041 or ECE3141 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is ECE4045 offered?
In 2025, ECE4045 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is ECE4045?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECE4045 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ECE4045?
ECE4045 is part of Electrical and computer systems engineering; Networks for connectivity; and Robotics and mechatronics engineering.