Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module ENGI4537: Advanced Electronics Measurements 4

Department: Engineering

ENGI4537: Advanced Electronics Measurements 4

Type	Tied	Level	4	Credits	10	Availability	Available in 2021/22	Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Tied to	H100

Prerequisites

ENGI3331, ENGI3451, ENGI3391

Corequisites

As specified in programme regulations.

Excluded Combination of Modules

As specified in programme regulations.

Aims

This module is designed solely for students studying Department of Engineering degree programmes.
To provide an overview and describe methods for measuring, characterising and assessing communication systems and semiconducting devices.
To explain the working principles of various metrology and characterisation procedures for semiconductor devices and communication systems.
To introduce and familiarise students with measurement techniques for radio channel characterisation, and wideband propagation models in various frequency bands.
To introduce and familiarise students with solid-state device reliability tests and application.

Content

Electronic and electro-optical characterisation techniques.
Physical characterisation techniques.
Instrumentation for measurements.
Narrowband and wideband channel models.
Estimation of channel parameters from measurements.
Practical device characterisation.
Practical communication system characterisation.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

In-depth knowledge of the common methods for communication systems and semiconductor devices metrology.
A knowledge of current characterisation instruments and metrology techniques.
Practical application of engineering methodologies to characterise devices and communication radio systems.
An appreciation of emerging characterisation and metrology techniques.

Subject-specific Skills:

An awareness of current characterisation practises in the electronics industry.
An ability to critically analyse complex engineering problems in the electronic industry and apply appropriate methodologies to solve them.
An ability to assess the quality of engineering data, based on the chosen characterisation methodology.

Key Skills:

Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
Mathematics relevant to the application of advanced engineering concepts.
Problem solving skills.
The ability to merge data from several sources for the solution of an engineering problem.

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

Lectures will take place twice a week for each teaching week of the Epiphany term.
The module content is delivered in lectures and is reinforced by laboratory experimental measurements.
A written group report to be submitted in the first week of the Easter term.
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 available for up to one hour per week per lecture course.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	14	2 per week	1 Hour	14
Oral Presentations	4	2 per week	1 Hour	4
Laboratories	6	2 per week	3 Hours	18
Tutorial Hours	As required	Weekly sign-up sessions	Up to 1 Hour	10
Preparation, reading, report writing and other self-learning activities				54
Total				100

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Assignment		100%	No

Formative Assessment:

A short presentation of a literature review on current characterisation methods, prepared by the students from a pre-defined list.

■ 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