This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Postgraduate Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)

Module ENGI40520: Radio Communications

Department: Engineering

ENGI40520: Radio Communications

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Tied	4	20	Available in 2015/2016		Durham

Tied To

H1K709: Communications Engineering

Pre-requisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations

None.

Aims

This module is for students intending to fulfil the requirements of the MSc in Communications.
Enhance the students understanding of the fundamental principles of communications, and signal processing.
Develop the students practical experience through laboratory experiments.

Content

To cover the basic mathematical formulation of the laws of electromagnetism and their application to RF circuits and devices.
To cover the fundamental concepts of communications engineering and historical development through key theorems and techniques of Shanon, Nyquist, Marconi and Armstrong.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

In-depth knowledge and understanding of fundamental engineering concepts, principles, theories and mathematics relevant to RF Engineering and the fabrication of RF devices.
An understanding of basic modulation theory and why and when to use it.
Appreciation of optimal coding through an understanding of information theory.
Appreciation of Digital Communications.

Subject-specific Skills

To apply specialised engineering knowledge to the solution of complex problems in an engineering or industrial context.
To be able to apply these methods to new situations.
To observe and record accurately, data and experimental evidence in the laboratory.
The competent and safe use of standard engineering laboratory instrumentation.
To use computational tools and packages.

Key Skills

Capacity for self-learning in familiar and unfamiliar situations.
Numerical skills appropriate to an engineer.
Time and resource management.
General problem solving skills.

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

Courses in RF Engineering and Communications are taught by lectures and reinforced by problem assignments. Assessment is through written examination which enables each student to demonstrate an ability to analyse and solve new problems.
Learning through a laboratory programme assessed by lab reports.
Laboratory-based coursework aids the acquisition of subject-specific and key skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours
Practicals	6	1 per week for 6 weeks	3 hours	18
Lectures	40	2 term 1, 2 per week term 2, 2 revision lectures term 3	1 hour	40
Tutorial Hours	4	0,1 or 2 per week	students sign up for appropriate time	4
Preparation and reading				138
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	80%	RF Engineering	1 hour	50%	no
Examination	80%	Communications	1 hour	50%	no
Coursework	20%	Lab reports	1 report per practical	100%

Formative Assessment

Problem Sheets for lecture courses.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.