APPLIED MATHEMATICS FOR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - 2025/6

Module Overview

Expected prior / parallel learning: We expect you to ideally have some background in arithmetic, algebra, complex numbers, integration, and differentiation to follow this module.  Besides, you will find it helpful to have some knowledge about linear systems, linear algebra and stochastic processes for following.

Module purpose:  

This module focuses on some of the fundamental mathematical concepts used in the analysis and design of modern digital communications systems and examines their application to link-level communications and receiver designs.

 

Related modules:

EEEM017 - Fundamentals of Mobile Communications: EEEM062 is complementary with EEEM017, since EEEM017 covers other fundamental aspects of communication system design like data rate and some system level aspects, e.g. resource allocation. Mathematics taught in EEEM062, i.e. probability, is useful to understand the theory behind data rate taught in EEEM017.

EEEM018 - Advanced Mobile Communication Systems: EEEM062 provides link level knowledge of communication systems that complements well with the system level knowledge taught in EEEM018.

EEEM061 - Advanced 5G Wireless Technologies. Mathematics taught in EEEM062, i.e. linear algebra and matrix, is useful to understand the theory behind massive multiple-input multiple output communication systems (part of 5G system) taught in EEEM061. Similarly, Fourier analysis taught in EEEM062, is useful to understand the theory behind orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (part of 5G system) taught in EEEM061.

EEE1032 - Mathematics II: Engineering mathematics and EEE2035 - Engineering mathematics III: Some of the mathematic topics covered in 1st and 2nd years (e.g. Fourier analysis, Probability, Algebra) are similar to some of those taught in EEEM062, but these topics are specially adapted to communications in EEEM062 to provide a level-playing field for students joining us at MSc level and who have not necessarily already acquired this background knowledge in their previous studies.

Module provider

Computer Science and Electronic Eng

Module Leader

HELIOT Fabien (CS & EE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

FUNDAMENTAL MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS

Signals and Random Processes – Signals, energy and power of signals, useful operations on signals (e.g. time shifting, time scaling, time inversion, correlation, convolution), random variables, statistical mean and co-variance functions, Gaussian processes;

Special Math Functions and Transforms – Dirac’s delta function, sinus cardinal function, discrete Fourier transform and its properties;

Matrix Analysis – Basic vector and matrix operations, norm, rank, trace, inverse / pseudo inverse, Eigenvalues & Eigenvectors, matrix decomposition.

ELEMENTS OF DETECTION AND ESTIMATION THEORY WITH APPLICATIONS TO RECEIVER PROCESSING

Detection methods for single and multi-antenna systems – Probability of detection error, matched filter, h linear detection methods (e.g., zero forcing detection, minimum mean square error detection), non-linear detection methods (e.g., Maximum-Likelihood detection and its approximations);

Channel Estimation Methods – Methods based on training symbols or decisions (e.g. Least Squares estimation, Minimum Mean Square Error estimation);

Synchronization techniques for multi-carrier systems – Time, Frequency and Phase synchronization.

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to allow you to show that you have achieved all the intended learning outcomes. The exam will assess your understanding of the course’s material (captured content/recorded lectures) as well as your ability to apply the proper mathematical tools for solving analytical (numerical) and design problems. The exam will also assess your ability to reflect on communication system design choices. In complement to the exam, the coursework assignment will test your abilities at modelling and evaluating the performance of simple digital communication systems.

 

Thus, the Summative assessment for this module consists of the following:

• Matlab IT lab-based coursework assignment


• (closed book and invigilated) written examination at the end of the module teaching during the examination week

• during supervised IT lab or tutorial sessions, through question and answer (Q&A) on recorded lectures/capture content, discussion, and lab supervision;


• during the revision lecture, through discussion and problem-solving exercises;


• through the graded coursework assignment;


• through ungraded tutorial problems.

Module aims

• The aim of this module is to introduce some of the most fundamental mathematical concepts and tools used for the analysis and design of digital communication systems as well as to introduce techniques and methodologies that are used for designing state-of-the-art digital communication receivers. More specifically, we aim at:
• Developing your digital capabilities via the usage of Matlab, a programming and numeric computing platform used by millions of engineers and scientists around the world to analyze data, develop algorithms, and create models;
• Improving your employability by making you acquainted to the basic building blocks of a communication system (signal, transceiver, detection, estimation) and by teaching you how to model/simulate it in Matlab;
• Nurturing your resourcefulness and resilience through scaffold teaching and group works. Group work is an important aspect of this module, especially during the Matlab lab class and group coursework;
• Enhancing your global and cultural capabilities by encouraging you to exchange and work with your peers, especially through the Matlab lab class and group coursework.
• Besides, 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 efficiently introduce you to the concepts, methodologies, and mathematical tools of the course and to provide you with pointers that can further be used for deepening your learning experiences. Recorded lectures and practical lab sessions are the two main vehicles for delivering the strategy. Recorded lectures are designed to provide you with the fundamental knowledge about the several topics of this module. Whereas practical sessions are designed to support and further this knowledge via practical implementation in Matlab. This will help to improve your digital capabilities and employability. The practical lab sessions are complemented by a group coursework assignment. The group work will help with your resourcefullness and cultural capability. In order to increase the effectiveness of our teaching and your learning  experience, feedback on your learning will be provided, through class discussions (Q&A), lab/tutorial questions, coursework evaluation, and office hours. Additional learning material can also be found on SurreyLearn to further help with you in acquiring a deep understanding of the module content.  

Learning and teaching methods include the following.

• Recorded lectures 


• Live Lectures


• Live Tutorial sessions


• Live Supervised Matlab IT lab/Q&A sessions on recorded lectures


• Self/guided study from the recorded lectures and use of tutorial sheets.


• Office hours, a minimum of one hour every week

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: EEEM062

Other information

EEEM062 aims at developing and improving your engineering skills based on the University pillars:

• Digital capabilities: students learn Matlab in EEEM062, a programming and numeric computing platform used by millions of engineers and scientists to analyze data, develop algorithms, and create models. Their Matlab competency is assessed via a group coursework, in which they need to model and simulate a simplified communication system in order to understand some of the real-life engineering constraints when designing a communication system;
• Employability: Students learn about the basic building blocks of a communication system in EEEM062 (signal, transceiver, detection, estimation) and how to model/simulate it in Matlab. Such knowledge and application of it can definitely help to kick start a career in this field.
• Resourcefulness and resilience: students learn to be resourceful and resilient in EEEM062 through scaffolding learning, instructions, guidance, and feedback throughout the Matlab labs, as well as through group work when completing the coursework.
• Global and cultural intelligence: Throughout the years, our class has been quite diverse in EEEM062, with students coming from different continents. We encourage them to exchange and work together, especially through the Matlab lab and the group coursework. Besides, given that most our students are from aboard and speak English they inherently have global capability via their usage of English, which is reinforced by having this module taught in English.

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 2025/6 academic year.