COMMUNICATIONS & NETWORKS - 2023/4

Module Overview

 

Expected prior learning:  Learning equivalent to Year 1 of EE Programmes. It is helpful, but not essential, to have taken module EEE2033 – Circuits, Control & Communications.

Module purpose:  Communication and data networking technologies are key components of a modern networked society.. This module provides the students with the knowledge to understand communication systems and the functions of networks, particularly the Internet. In addition, the student gain related analytical skills that can be applied in designing digital communication systems and data networks. The module is designed to provide basic-to-intermediate level introduction of the subject at the UG level and the learning developed in this module can be enhanced further via later modules (EEE3006, EEE3008,  EEE3042) in the EEE programme.

Module provider

Computer Science and Electronic Eng

Module Leader

QUDDUS Atta (CS & EE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

 None

Module content

Part A - Networking and the Internet

Architecture and functions of the Internet (how the Internet works)

Data link layer: framing, error control, sliding windows, flow control

Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols: ALOHA, slotted ALOHA, persistent and non-persistent CSMA, CSMA/CD, IEEE 802.3 and IEEE 802.11 MAC sub-layers

Network layer / Internet Protocol (IP): forwarding, addressing, routing (distance vector and link-state routing protocols)

Transport layer protocols with focus on TCP/UDP

Application Layer Protocols, HTTP, FTP

Security: encryption, authentication, access control

 

Part B  - Signals and communications

Elements of an electrical communication system

Review of the relevant concepts in signals, linear systems, probability and stochastic processes

Principles of digital data transmission through bandlimited channels

Principles of digital modulation / demodulation and detection theory

Concepts in information theory and Channel Capacity

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to test students' knowledge of the fundamental concepts in digital communication systems and data networks. In addition, students' analytical capabilities in the investigation of communication systems and networks will be tested. Finally, the students will be assessed on their capabilities to apply their knowledge to synthesise basic technique and solutions in both digital communication systems and data networks.

 

The aforementioned summative assessment objectives will be achieved by:

·         A coursework 

·         Online (Open-book) examination 

Any deadline given here is indicative. For confirmation of exact dates and times, please check the Departmental assessment calendar issued to you.

 

Formative assessment and feedback will be provided to help students measure their learning progress in the module by:

·        During lectures, by electronic voting

·        During lectures, by question and answer sessions.

·        During tutorials 

Module aims

• The aim of this module is to allow students develop a solid understanding of typical point-to-point digital communication systems, the function of individual subsystems and the interactions among them.
• Students will also learn how signal processing is embedded into the core of modern communication transceivers and build a clear and good knowledge data networking technologies and protocols that are used in the modern internet.
• Students will also develop a clear understanding of cybersecurity threats and how secure communication can be achieved in modern communication systems using encryption / cryptography.
• The module also aims to provide opportunities for students to learn about the Surrey Pillars listed below.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to provide basic level introduction of the subject along with providing useful pointers for deeper learning of the topics listed in the module content. This is achieved through a series of pre-recorded lectures, face to face tutorial sessions and other learning material like slide-sets, in-class derivations on white board / visualizer, online videos, and quizzes with model solutions. Furthermore, formative tests, electronic voting system and class discussions are used to identify any difficulties faced by the learners and they are then directed to the relevant learning material on Surrey Learn.

 Learning and teaching methods include the following.

• Captured content 


• Super lectures / tutorials 


• Group discussions


• Classroom discussion of problems

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: EEE2040

Other information

The module is well aligned with the five Surrey Pillars as described below:

• Sustainability: The module discusses the operation of communication systems from both Bandwidth as well as Power / Energy Efficiency perspective, the latter contributes towards the Sustainability theme.
• Global and cultural intelligence: Communications and Networks are used globally and hence know-how developed in this module can be applied anywhere in the world. The students taking this module are from a diverse background and from a host of nationalities and cultures, thus in-class discussions provide opportunities to broaden one’s horizon to a global perspective.
• Digital capabilities:  The module is all about how communication systems and digital networks work, and it also makes use of digital capabilities in terms of electronic voting for in-class discussions. Furthermore, all the learning resources are made available on a digital Virtual Learning Environment (i.e. SurreyLearn), and module assessment also requires the students to make use of SurreyLearn.
• Employability: This module is part of our various pathways in the EE UG programme, which is accredited with Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). Furthermore, this module provides essential knowledge and learning (related to Communication Networks and Security) that is absolutely needed for graduates working in the Telecom sector.
• Resourcefulness and resilience:  Tutorial problems are discussed in the class which help students learn how to reason about from the given information and be able to develop the capability to solve unseen problems. Furthermore, completing the Assignment requires the students to explore multiple ways in order to solve the given problem in a trial & error manner, draw information from multiple resources, and synthesise further in order to accomplish the task. In addition, the students have to complete the Assignment during the semester while taking other modules in parallel, so they have to exhibit a level of resilience and work efficiently under pressure of a degree program.   

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.