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

Undergraduate Handbook 2017-2018 (archived)

Module ENGI4251: DSP and Microwave Engineering

Department: Engineering

ENGI4251: DSP and Microwave Engineering

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 4 20 Available in 2017/2018 Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • ENGI3461

Corequisites

  • As specified in programme regulations.

Excluded Combinations

  • As specified in programme regulations

Aims

  • This module is designed solely for students studying School of Engineering and Computing Sciences degree programmes.
  • The module will provide students with knowledge in digital signal processing and microwave devices/components.

Content

  • Transmission line theory.
  • Maxwell equations.
  • Electromagnetic waves propagation.
  • High-speed electronic devices.
  • Introduction to advanced THz technology.
  • Analysis and synthesis of discrete-time systems.
  • Digital filter design.
  • Discrete and Fast Fourier transform and applications.
  • Hilbert and Walsh Transforms.
  • Quantisation effects in digital signals.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • Understanding FIR and IIR filters.
  • The mathematics of spectral extraction algorithms.
  • Use of transforms.
  • Understanding of electrodynamics.
  • Understanding of hish-speed electronic devices.
Subject-specific Skills
  • An awareness of current technology, design analysis, and commercial practice and the ability to bring these together to provide innovative solutions.
  • The use of advanced analysis methods to design complex digital circuits to meet a variety of applications.
  • The hardware implementation of DSP applications.
  • An in-depth knowledge and understanding of specialist and advanced technical and professional skills, an ability to perform critical assessment and review and an ability to communicate the results of their work effectively.
Key Skills
  • Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
  • Specialised design skills appropriate to digital systems engineers.
  • The optimum selection of digital resolution to meet specifications.
  • Advanced skills to design large scale digital hardware.
  • Specialised skills to analyse and design DSP systems.
  • Specialised skills to analyse microwave components.

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

  • Microwave Engineering. This consists of lectures supported by problem sheets. Written timed examination is appropriate because of the wide range of in-depth technical material covered in this course and to demonstrate the ability to solve advanced problems independently.
  • Digital Signal Processing course. This consists of lectures supported by problem sheets. Written timed examination is appropriate because of the wide range of in-depth technical material covered in this course and to demonstrate the ability to solve advanced problems independently.
  • Students are able to make use of staff ‘Tutorial Hours’ to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis. These are sign up sessions where course lecturers are available for up to one hour per week per course.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Digital Signal Processing 20 Typically 1 per week 1 Hour 20
Microwave Engineering 20 Typically 1 per week 1 Hour 20
Tutorial Hours As required Weekly sign up sessions Up to 1 Hour 8
Reading and work on set problem 152
Total 200

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Examination 100% Digital Signal Processing 2 Hours 50% No
Microwave Engineering 2 Hours 50% No

Formative Assessment


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.