Overview

•Fundamentals: Digital and analogue signal concepts in both the time and frequency domains, circuit and packet switching, transmission channel properties, digital line codes, carrier modulation/demodulation, transmission media, transmitter and receiver architectures, Shannon’s Law, key factors affecting transmission performance, multiplexing and multiple access methods (TDM, FDM, WDM, FDMA, TDMA), The OSI reference model, general network architectures of communication systems. •The Core Network: Optical transmission systems, optical fibres (light propagation, loss, dispersion effects), WDM and DWDM, PDH and SDH/SONET systems, network topologies. •Fixed Access Networks: Fixed access evolution, ADSL, VDSL, OFDM, Fibre-to-the-Home, Passive Optical Network (PON) evolution and standards, optical link budgets. •Mobile Access Networks: characteristics of mobile channels, the cellular principle, radio access technologies, radio access network architecture, mobile backhaul and fronthaul. •Local Area Networks: Fixed LANs (implementation evolution, cabling, Ethernet standards, MAC protocols, hubs/switches), Wireless LANs (Wi-Fi standard, MAC Protocol, MIMO techniques) •Advanced/Emerging technologies: All-optical networking (ROADMs), Ultra-fast Ethernet, Coherent Optical Transceivers, Technologies for 5G.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -50% Equivalent to 50%. Uses key areas of theory or knowledge to meet the Learning Outcomes of the module. Is able to formulate an appropriate solution to accurately solve tasks and questions. Can identify individual aspects, but lacks an awareness of links between them and the wider contexts. Outputs can be understood, but lack structure and/or coherence.

-good -60% Equivalent to the range 60%-69%. Is able to analyse a task or problem to decide which aspects of theory and knowledge to apply. Solutions are of a workable quality, demonstrating understanding of underlying principles. Major themes can be linked appropriately but may not be able to extend this to individual aspects. Outputs are readily understood, with an appropriate structure but may lack sophistication.

-excellent -70% Equivalent to the range 70%+. Assemble critically evaluated, relevant areas of knowledge and theory to construct professional-level solutions to tasks and questions presented. Is able to cross-link themes and aspects to draw considered conclusions. Presents outputs in a cohesive, accurate, and efficient manner.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of key techniques involved in various types of broadband communication network.

• Demonstrate an understanding of widely implemented communications systems.

• Understand fundamental concepts, terminology and general architectures of communications systems.

• Understand the importance of emerging techniques and technologies.