UWA Handbooks 2004 - Digital Communications and Networking 441

Digital Communications and Networking 441 (620.441)

The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, full year, etc. was correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information click on the Timetable link below.

Credit: 6 points Availability: Semester 1 (See Timetable)

Outcomes: Students come to understand the digital communications process; error control coding principles; the requirements placed on an information network by different media; the principles and requirements that govern real-time and computer data communications; and principles of synchronous, asynchronous and heterogeneous packet-switched transfer modes.

Content: Digital communications—this section of the unit includes a review of modulation techniques such as QAM, MSK, OFDM, spread spectrum and builds on the coding theory: convolutional codes, decoding algorithms, special codes-interleaving, concatenated; applications to channel coding.

Introduction to networking—topics include historical review of telecommunications; the open systems interconnect model; sub-network requirements for real-time communications; the synchronous digital hierarchy; asynchronous transfer mode; creation of asynchronous transfer capabilities; evolution of integrated networking and the Internet; the physical layer-framing and synchronisation; principles of addressing and routing in communication networks; resource management; access methods; statistical multiplexing; traffic management; source throttling methods; shapers and policers; discard policies; error control. The topics are illustrated with examples from current networks.

Assessment: This comprises one written examination, tutorials, tests, assignments and laboratory reports. Tutorials, tests and assignments allow for the monitoring of students' understanding of fundamental concepts as well as each student's progress. Reports help develop students' skills for articulating ideas clearly, concisely and logically. The written examination provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of digital communication systems and the principles and requirements of real-time and computer data communications.

Location: UWA, Crawley

Mode: on-campus

Unit Rules:

Prerequisites: Communications Systems 325 (620.325)

Contact hours—60 (lectures: 36 hrs; tutorials: 12 hrs; labs: 12 hrs)

Unit Web Page: http://swww.ee.uwa.edu.au/~dcn441/

Books and other material listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary Reading', 'Recommended Reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. For first-year units the Bookshop will endeavour to make available photocopies of book lists for individual units.