Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module ENGI41030: Design of Wireless Systems

Department: Engineering

ENGI41030: Design of Wireless Systems

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap None.
Tied to H1K709

Prerequisites

Corequisites

  • Radio and Digital Communications (ENGI41915); Communications Networks (ENGI42015); Research and Development Project (ENGI41060)

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To develop students' understanding of modern design techniques, product development and production processes relevant to the communications industry.
  • To introduce team-working in the context of communications, necessary to realise communication products of current market complexity.
  • To apply the theory and knowledge gained in the lecture courses to a real wireless problem.

Content

  • Introduction to the allocated design problem.
  • Literature/market search for existing products/techniques.
  • Identification of requirements for this design.
  • Generation of possible solutions and identification of 'best' solution.
  • Production of feasibility report.
  • Splitting of tasks to each student by group under supervision.
  • Detailed analysis and design of each component by individual student.
  • Preparation and delivery of design presentation.
  • Production of final design report.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Understand the stages in the design of current communication equipment.
  • Understand the importance of information flow within the design group.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Ability to review current competitors in the market place.
  • The application of communications theory taught in the first half of the course to product design.
Key Skills:
  • Technical oral presentation skills.
  • Technical report writing.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The module will be implemented by selecting a group of students, and setting the group a design task that will use the collective skills of the group, based on past education and the options they selected during the first half of the course.
  • The group will be supervised by one or more members of staff, and guided through the various stages of design. At appropriate points, work will be divided up to group members under staff monitoring. By this means, each group member will have to contribute work to the final design which is clearly their own.
  • Assessment will be by submission of a feasibility report, giving a 'design presentation' and submitting a detailed design report.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars 8 1 per week 2 hours 16
Other 4 1 per week 1 hour 4
Preparation and Reading 280
Total 300

Summative Assessment

Component: Feasibility Report Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Feasibility Report 100%
Component: Design Presentation Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Design Presentation 100%
Component: Design Report Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Design Report 100%

Formative Assessment:

Feedback will be given to the group and individual students on a weekly basis as the design project progresses.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University