Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module ENGI4537: Advanced Electronics Measurements 4

Department: Engineering

ENGI4537: Advanced Electronics Measurements 4

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to H100

Prerequisites

  • ENGI3331, ENGI3451, ENGI3391

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

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 typically take place twice a week over seven weeks.
  • The module content is delivered in lectures and is reinforced by workshops on experimental measurements.
  • Assessment is through coursework, usually in the form of a written report.
  • 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
Workshops 6 Typically 2 per week 1 Hours 6
Tutorial hours As required Weekly sign-up sessions Up to 1 Hour 10
Preparation, reading, report writing and other self-learning activities 66
Total 100

Summative Assessment

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

Formative Assessment:


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