Electronic Communication

Technology
(5EJ507)
Module Handbook
2014 - 2015
(Semester 2 delivery)

Coll
ege
of
Engi
neer
ing
and
Tech
nolo
gy

Module Leader:
Barry Mills
b.mills@derby.ac.uk
MS103
01332 593193

Welcome to the module

This handbook provides key information about the module and provides everything
you need to get started with your studies. This includes the validated module
specifications, learning schedule, assessment specifications and assessment criteria,
supplementary information, and contact details of key module staff and support
departments. It is really important that you familiarise yourself with the information in
this handbook and that you note in particular key facts and key dates listed below. It
is also important to note that a wider range of information and interactivity is provided
online in Course Resources. Please make sure that you engage regularly with online
module information and that you check your unimail email account for module related
updates and general learning communication. Make a plan using this handbook for
guidance and monitor your progress.
Semester 2
Week
commencing
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35-36
37
38

Topic

Chapter/page
Frenzels book

Introduction to communication systems

Fundamental electronics- Block circuits- Fourier
theory
Amplitude Modulation and Demodulation
Frequency Modulation and Demodulation
Phase Modulation and Demodulation
Radio Transmitters and Receivers
Aerials and transmission lines
Intro to Digital communication techniques
Multiplexing and demultiplexing

CHP1/2

Binary data coding Modems

Error Detection and Correction
Networking and LANs
Microwave communication
Satellite communication
Telecommunication systems
Optical communication
REVISION
Inter-semester vacation
REVISION
REVISION

CHP 11
CHP 11/12

CHP 3/4/5/6
CHP 8/9
CHP7
CHP 10

CHP 16/17
CHP 18/19
ALL
ALL
ALL

READING LIST
PRINCIPLES OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS l. FRENZEL
3RD EDITION McGRAW HILL
ISBN 978-0-07-110607-8
****
COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES
PALGRAVE
ISBN 0-333-77522-8

I.OTUNG

ANALOGUE & DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES

ARNOLD
ISBN 0-340-73125-7

G SMILLIE
(E_BOOK)

RADIO COMMUNICATION 2nd EDITION

LONGMAN
ISBN 0-582- 36908-8

D C GREEN

****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED-essential RECOMMENDED READING based on Frenzels

book

Module Title

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Module Code

5EJ507

Date of Approval

March 2012

Module Level

Credit value

20

Total Number of
Learning Hours

200

Key Words

electronic communication, analogue communication, digital

communication, electrical noise, frequency modulation.

Module Delivery
Mode

Online/Distance

Pre-requisite

Blended/Face to
face

None

Work-based
learning

Module
Description

This module aims to provide a firm theoretical and practical

understanding of the principles of analogue and digital signal
description, transmission and reception, with an emphasis on
the application of such principles relevant to the programme of
study.

Module Learning
Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. Understand and explain the principles of analogue and
digital communication, including the key architectural
features used and appropriate transmission and
reception methods.
2. Understand and apply the analytical methods used to
describe analogue and digital signals and quantify the
effects of noise and interference in different
communication systems.

Module Content

Simple receiver/transmitter systems found in broadcasting

systems and other analogue communication applications such
as telephone networks, use of filters, amplifiers and
attenuators. Definitions of terms used in analogue
communication systems. Characteristics of typical
transmission paths- co-axial cable/twisted pair, optical fibre,
radio, microwave links.
Introducing Mathematical description of signals and noise;
Fourier series and spectral representatives of signals.
AM, FM and PM. Reviewing the processes behind analogue
data transmission. Introduction to analogue techniques used in
PAM/TDM and analogue communication standards and
associated protocols. The use of ASK/FSK/PAM methods.

Digital Communication Methods

Introduction to digital modulation methods, including the
sampling and reconstruction of signals. PCM- practical
sampling issues, anti-aliasing filters and guard bands. TDMDigital TDM. Companding techniques. Coding algorithms for
digital systems. Error Detection & Correction (EDAC).
Noise and its reduction. Noise sources and their frequency
spectra. Effects of noise in analogue and digital systems. Noise
measurement and S/N ratio. Quantisation noise and distortion.
Module Learning
and Teaching
Methods

Module
Assessment

Method

Reading list

This module will be presented through lectures and the use

practical laboratory sessions; directed study will include
students using related information and internet based
resources such as the IET.tv website. Practical sessions will be
used to underpin the lectures and provide examples of related
applications and give opportunities for formative feedback. You
will be able to progress their coursework assignment during
these sessions and later in the course support provided to
prepare you for the end of module examination.
Scheduled learning and teaching activities:
25%
Guided independent study: 75%
Assessment Weighting: 60% Coursework, 40% Exam
Formative: Formative assessment will take place to assist
you in ensuring your understanding and confirming
your progress within the module. This will occur
during the activities undertaken in the practical
laboratory sessions involving both analogue and
digital techniques.
CW:

60% weighting:
Learning Outcome 1
This coursework will assess your appreciation and
understanding of analogue modulation and
demodulation techniques, through practical activities
and relate this critically to theoretical concepts
acquired through background reading.

EX:

40% weighting:
Learning Outcome 2
The two-hour examination will be designed to
assess your knowledge and ability to analyse
analogue and digital communication systems.

http://liblists.derby.ac.uk/lists/B68604B6-FB65-4C50-7654B5F7B311C022.html

REGULATIONS
The module conforms fully to the relevant UG regulatory framework.
Regulations for academic year 2014/2015 can be found at
http://www.derby.ac.uk/qed/3Rs/

Plagiarism Statement (taken from UoD website)

What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is the passing off of another person's thoughts, ideas, writings or
images as your own work. Plagiarism can also include copying directly from
another source, or paraphrasing the text of another author without
acknowledging them. Another aspect of plagiarism is described as collusion,
which is where you've worked with someone else to produce a piece of work,
but then submitted it as you own individual work.
Plagiarism and collusion behaviour can often happen unintentionally and can
be avoided when you become more familiar with good academic practice and
referencing. For more information about the academic regulations and
academic offences please take a look at this link. Please note that the rules on
academic offences will always be applied. Make sure you have a complete
understanding of what constitutes plagiarism and collusion.

Ensuring Equal Access for All

This module (and indeed your programme of study) is planned so as to ensure
equality and fairness for all students and to meet our obligations under the Equality
Act 2010.
Teaching and assessment in this module is designed to:

Accommodate the support needs and requirements of all students,

Ensure that cultural sensitivities are acknowledged and that assessment

requirements
are appropriate for students from diverse backgrounds,

Be free of gender or cultural bias,

Use wording that avoids inappropriate emphasis on stereotypes,

Use clear English, explaining acronyms and abbreviations,

Separate language skills from intellectual skills,

Ensure a uniform approach with review of possible plagiarism,

See the work of a student as unique and avoid categorisation.

If you have a support plan issued by the University then the Module Leader should
already have a copy of this you may however like to check this with him, and
discuss any adjustments which are necessary.

College of Engineering and Technology

Electronic Communication
Technology
(5EJ507)

Co
lle
ge
of
En
gi
ne
eri
ng
an
d
Te
ch
no
lo
gy

Assignment 1
Portfolio of Communication Techniques.
Programme(s):

BEng(Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Assessment Number:

Assessment Weighting:

60% of module

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

1 and 2

Week Set:
Submission Date:

22nd January 2015

2nd April 2015

This work will be submitted electronically.

Module Leader : Barry Mills

b.mills@derby.ac.uk
MS103
X3193

Assignment Brief
Part A Analogue communication
1. Write a brief explanation of the principles of the super-heterodyne
receiver. It may help to use a simple block diagram to express the
process. Explain the purpose of the Intermediate Frequency amplifiers
and explain how they process and shape the received signal.
[500 words]
(15%)
2. Write a brief summary of how noise can affect an AM/FM Superhet
receiver. What are the differences in how the two demodulator stages
work and discuss how the automatic gain and automatic frequency
control voltages are produced and used?
[500 words]
(15%)
3. Discuss using diagrams where appropriate how analogue signals are
converted to digital signals. Discuss the need for non-uniform
quantisation and the process of conversion back to an analogue signal.
[500 words]
(20%)

Part B Digital Communication

1. Write a short technical report on each of the following digital
communication techniquesa. Frequency Division Multiplexing

[500 words] (15%)

b. Delta Modulation

[500 words] (15%)

c. Error Detection and Correction

[500 words] (20%)

Correct referencing should be used and a detailed bibliography provided. This may
include web addresses, as well as any books and journals used etc.

Undergraduate marking scale

% mark

Mark Descriptors

Class

This scale applies to Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the University Credit Framework. The
descriptors are typical characteristics of the standard of work associated with each
range of marks. The descriptors are illustrative and for guidance only. They are not
comprehensive. A mark of 40% is regarded as a minimum pass. See Section B3.2 for
level descriptors.

Very good
60-69%

A very good standard; a very good level of critical analysis and evaluation;
significant originality; well researched; a very good standard of presentation;
pleasing clarity of ideas; thoughtful and effective presentation; very good
sense of coherence and logic; minor errors only.

Good
50-59%

A good standard; a fairly good level of critical analysis and evaluation; some
evidence of original thinking or originality; quite well researched; a good
standard of presentation; ideas generally clear and coherent, some evidence
of misunderstandings; some deficiencies in presentation.

Second
Div 1

Outstanding; high to very high standard; a high level of critical analysis and
evaluation, incisive original thinking; commendable originality; exceptionally
well researched; high quality presentation; exceptional clarity of ideas;
excellent coherence and logic. Trivial or very minor errors.

Second
Div 2

70-100%

First

Excellent

Unsatisfactory
35-39%

Overall marginally unsatisfactory; some sound aspects but some of the

following weaknesses are evident; inadequate critical analysis and
evaluation; little evidence of originality; not well researched; standard of
presentation unacceptable; ideas unclear and incoherent; some significant
errors and misunderstandings. Marginal fail.

Marginal
Fail

A sound standard of work; a fair level of critical analysis and evaluation; little
evidence of original thinking or originality; adequately researched; a sound
standard of presentation; ideas fairly clear and coherent, some significant
misunderstandings and errors; some weakness in style or presentation but
satisfactory overall.

Third

Satisfactory
40-49%

Well below the pass standard; a poor critical analysis and evaluation; no
evidence of originality; poorly researched; standard of presentation totally
unacceptable;
ideas
confused
and
incoherent,
some
serious
misunderstandings and errors. A clear fail well short of the pass standard. At
the bottom of the range the work demonstrates nothing of merit.

Non-submission
NS

Fail

Very poor
1-34%

No work has been submitted.

Academic offence notation

Z

Applies to proven instances of academic offence.

IMPORTANT: An assignment may show the characteristics of two or more marks. The examiner
should give careful consideration to the relative importance of the applicable descriptors as
indicated by the assessment criteria in deciding the overall standard of the work and the
appropriate mark to be awarded

Health and Safety

The University of Derby takes the Health and Safety of everyone associated with the
business of the university seriously. You have a responsibility for your own health and
safety and that of others. In particular:
a) You are required to take reasonable care for the health and safety of
yourselves and of other persons who may be affected by your acts or
omissions.
b) You are required to co-operate with University staff in fulfilling the statutory
requirements placed on the University and to comply with general and
specific health and safety requirements set out in associated published
documents.
c) You must not intentionally interfere with or misuse anything that has been
provided in the interests of health and safety.
d) You are duty bound to report to a member of staff anything that you consider
could compromise the health and safety of any person.
Please refer to the document entitled University of Derby, General Health and Safety
Regulations which should be available to you on the University of Derby website at
the following address:

http://www.derby.ac.uk/files/general_health_and_safety_regulations.doc
This is the document that you were informed about during your enrolment and asked
to submit a signed declaration stating that you understand the health and safety
issues to which it refers. If you are unable to view the document or you have not
signed and submitted the declaration then you should contact your Course Leader
immediately.
In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive enforces the law in many workplaces
including universities. It issues advice and guidance on their website:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/
For an overview of the role of the Health and Safety Executive, refer to the document
entitled A guide to health and safety regulation in Great Britain which should be
available on their website:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/web42.pdf
The health and safety issues of scheduled and prescribed laboratory activities for this
module are described on the following Record of Risk Assessment form. You should
read this before attempting any laboratory activity for this module.

Engineering Workshop Laboratory Exercises

Record of Risk Assessment

Assessment Reference

UOD Electrical/Electronics Laboratory.

Activity assessed

Laboratory exercises for Engineering Workshop (5EJ507).

Persons who may be affected by the activity

Students, Academic Staff, Technician Staff, Short Course Participants, Open Day and
other Visitors, Cleaning Staff.

SECTION A : Initial Assessment Overview

Consider the activity or work area and identify if any of the hazards listed below are significant.
7

Machinery

13

Electricity

19

Substances

Tools/Equipment

14

Noise or Vibration

20

High
Pressure

Tripping/Slipping

Mobile work
equipment

15

Hot / Cold Surfaces

21

Fire/
explosion

Manual handling
operations

10

Mechanical lifting
equipment

16

Workstation

22

Fall of person

Fall of objects

3
4
5

Repetitive work

Housekeeping /
waste material

11

Display screen
equipment

12

Sharp objects

25

Drowning

26

Psychological
effects

27

Human error

Lighting

28

Violence

layout / space

17

Radiation

23

Confined
space

29

Peripatetic /
lone working

18

Temperature /
weather

24

Buildings &
glazing

30

Other(s)

SECTION B : Second Stage Assessment

For each hazard identified in Section A complete Section B:
Hazard

Hazard

No.

Description

S = Severity, L = Likelihood

EXISTING CONTROL MEASURES

Residual Risk

Fall of objects stored

Safe storage of all equipment, objects and

materials

Tolerable risk

Trip on obstructions

Good housekeeping.

Tolerable risk

Student bags out of gang way

All electrical cables routed safely
All materials stored away
All floor surfaces in good condition
Maintenance docket system for fault reporting

10

General handing of equipment, furniture

and materials

Each student given explanation on how to use and

handle equipment before use.

Tolerable risk

General instruction on handling techniques during

induction.
Portering services used for larger items.
Special consideration for new and expectant
mothers, see University policy; Safety of New and
Expectant Mothers
6

House keeping / waste material

Ensure good housekeeping and keep floors /

surfaces clear of working materials, brush swarf
from pcb drilling into waste bins

Trivial risk

Machinery

Each student given explanation on how to use and

handle equipment before use.

Tolerable risk

Tolerable

Physical contact with rotating shafts

General instruction on handling techniques during

induction.
Special consideration for new and expectant
mothers, see University policy; Safety of New and
Expectant Mothers.
8,9,13

Risk of electrical shock

Contact with live parts of fixed installation.
Electrical risk from faulty portable electrical
appliance

All electrical equipment Portable Appliance Tested

(PAT) and stickers used to indicate electrical safety
status.

risk

Health and safety talk given at induction.

Each student signs the Health and Safety Booklet
to indicate that they have read and understood the
details.
Power supplies for electronic circuits leading to
exposed voltages restricted to below 50V dc
There must be no exposed live parts having
voltages in excess of 40V ac or 50V dc with
respect to earth.
Equipment connected to single or 3-phase
supplies must be adequately earthed.
All live parts fully enclosed.
University policy on Electrical Safety applied

11

Display screen equipment

Physiological effects including posture

Use of display screens to be time limited in

accordance with the university policy on the use of
display screen equipment.

Tolerable risk

14

Noise or Vibration

Limit exposure time to hammering and cutting /

drilling activities

Trivial risk

19

Substances:

Controlled by portable or fixed Local Exhaust

Ventilation with appropriate filters.

Tolerable risk

Tolerable risk

Release of Rosin fumes during soldering

operations
21

Fire resulting from electrical equipment

Students instructed in hazards of Colophony

Electrical equipment well maintained and tested.
Evacuation procedures (General)

All

Normal working is in classes while under staff

supervision. Students may also access the space
for a specific period by permission from technician
or academic staff. Lone working is not permitted.

Assessor(s)

David Wilson

Date of Assessment

21 Sept 10

Signed
Revision No.

11

Risk Evaluation Matrix:

1 - Minor injury

2 - First Aid

4 - Highly likely

Tolerable
Risk

3 - Probable

Tolerable
Risk

Tolerable
Moderate
Risk
Risk

Tolerable
Risk

Tolerable
Risk

Trivial
Risk

Trivial
Risk

2 - Possible

1 - Improbable

Moderate
Risk

3 - Major injury or lost

time

Substantial
Risk

Substantial
Risk

4 - Fatality

Intolerable
Risk

Substantial
Risk

Tolerable
Moderate
Risk
Risk

Moderate
Risk

Tolerable
Risk

Tolerable
Risk

Intolerable
Risk

Activity should be suspended immediately until action is taken to

reduce the risk

Substantial
Risk

Significantly high risk that where reasonably practical activity should be suspended
until significant action has been taken to reduce the risk. Where this is not reasonably
practicable, strict deadlines should be agreed for further action to reduce the risk.

Moderate
Risk

Significant action should be planned in accordance with overall risk

management program to reduce the risk.

Tolerable
Risk

Risk level is acceptable as long as all reasonably practicable controls

are in place.

Trivial
Risk

Risk level is low no significant action required.

12