Digital Communications

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

431-327 Communication Systems

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

On completion of this subject, students should have a good understanding of the modern principles of digital communications.

Topics include source coding, rate distortion and quantisation theory; noisy channels; linear block codes, parity check codes; convolutional codes, the Viterbi algorithm; fundamental limits (entropy; mutual information and Shannon bounds); characterisation of signal waveforms; modulation and demodulation for AWGN channel; modulation schemes, signal constellations, probability of symbol error; digital signalling over band-limited channels; Nyquist criterion, pulse shaping, equalisation.

All concepts are illustrated by examples from engineering practice.

On completing this subject the student should be able to:

1. Qualitatively and quantitatively analyse and evaluate digital communication systems;

2. Use software tools to analyse, design and evaluate digital communication systems.

One written 3-hour examination 70%, 2 laboratory reports (15% each) not exceeding 25 pages.

Information Not Available

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals

• in-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline

• ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution

• ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance

• ability to function effectively as an individual and in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member

• expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, capacity to do so

• capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning

• intellectual curiosity and creativity, including understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of research activity

• openness to new ideas and unconventional critiques of received wisdom

• profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship