School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
MSc Communications and Signal Processing
2010-2011
Your Degree Programme Director is: Dr Charalampos Tsimenidis Contact Details: Room E2.16, Merz Court Tel. 44 (0)191 222 7347 Internal Extension 7347 E-mail:
[email protected]
Matters common to all the MSc Programmes in the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (EECE) are described in the MSc Handbook. This covers general guidance, assessment details, facilities, safety, etc. This handbook contains issues specific to the Communications and Signal Processing programme, such as the aims of the programme and module choices. If you are unsure about any point raised in this document or have further queries relating to the Course you should contact your Tutor or the Degree Programme Director.
CONTENTS 1.
Introduction
1
1.1
Course Aims
1
1.1.1 Factual Knowledge
1
1.1.2 Skills and Techniques
2
Course Objectives
2
1.2
2.
The Course
3
2.1
Taught Modules
3
2.2
Coursework
4
2.3
Penalties
4
2.4
Additional Support Courses
5
1.
Introduction
Established in 1995, the MSc in Communications and Signal Processing provides a much needed bridge between a typical electrical and/or electronic engineering first degree and employment in known skill shortage areas or a research degree. Its major features when compared to similar courses offered by other UK academic institutions are: • • •
An unparalleled coverage of all of the major disciplines in communications engineering and signal analysis methodology. A comprehensive treatment of advanced communication systems both from theoretical and practical approaches. Innovative educational techniques designed to equip students with practical design skills and research methodologies.
The Newcastle MSc derives its unique character from the strength of the Communications and Digital Signal Processing Group, one of the largest of its kind in the UK. Since its formation in 1980, it has gained a world-wide reputation for high quality research at the leading edge of communications technology. Research contracts over the last two years amount to £1.5M and cover a diverse range of applications in the general areas of telecommunications, digital signal processing, optoelectronics and satellite engineering. In addition, the Group has many years of experience in dealing with industrial projects and in running short courses for industry. 1.1
Course Aims
The purpose of the course is to equip graduates of electrical and/or electronic engineering with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary to embark on a career as a design or development engineer in the field of communications and signal processing and to develop transferable skills in research and knowledge acquisition. It is targeted, primarily, at graduates who find themselves inadequately prepared to participate successfully in this technology area. Students are expected, on successful completion of the course, to progress into employment as design and development engineers in telecommunications and digital signal processing areas or onto a higher research degree programme. 1.1.1 Factual Knowledge Three core modules aim to enhance knowledge in the following key areas: 1.
Signal Processing and Estimation: sampling, aliasing and data conversion, discrete and fast Fourier transforms, digital filters, design of FIR and IIR filters, correlation and convolution, adaptive filters, spectral estimation.
2.
Mobile and Cellular Communications: historical overviews of data communication systems, cellular networks, wireless communication environment, multiple access technology, standards, receiver structures, future of wireless data communication systems, wireless channel models.
1
3.
Advanced Modulation and Coding Techniques: overview of digital and mobile communication systems, digital modulation; digital receivers, coding, error correction and information theory.
The MSc course contains three coursework modules focusing on simulation in MATLAB and DSP implementation of digital receivers, and protocol design of “Zigbee” based wireless sensor networks. Two additional taught modules chosen from a list of subjects relevant to communications and signal processing, a research methods module and a practical project complete the course content. 1.1.2 Skills and Techniques The transferable skills of report writing, oral presentation and knowledge acquisition, the use of CAD packages and the planning, execution and prompt delivery of project work are all features of the course. Self-directed learning exercises in all taught modules aim to give experience of knowledge acquisition. The associated seminar/tutorial sessions are intended as a forum for discussion in which you are encouraged to present and exchange views on your learning experiences with other members of the group and the Module Leader. Course work gives you experience of knowledge acquisition, report writing and experience in the use of CAD tools. The individual project is a major piece of work and requires detailed planning and background research. Oral presentation skills, experimental techniques and report writing all take their place in the final assessment of this piece of work. 1.2
Course Objectives
On successful completion of the course of study you can reasonably expect to have secured the following learning outcomes: 1.
You will possess a sound knowledge of the key subject areas of communication systems, telecommunications engineering and digital signal processing techniques. In addition, you should possess in-depth knowledge of your chosen specialist subject areas. In all subject areas, you should be able to apply your knowledge to perform elementary analyses and have an appreciation of current technology and its application.
2.
You will have developed the skills of knowledge acquisition so that you might, in the future, extend your current knowledge through a programme of self directed study given the appropriate knowledge resources.
3.
You will have enhanced your ability to plan, execute and report on a programme of project work within a closely specified time scale.
4.
You should be able to devise experiments and carry them out safely with due regard for the safety of others. In addition to the skills described above, you will have developed further your transferable skills of oral presentation and report writing. 2
2.
The Course
The programme of study begins annually in mid-September and lasts for a period of 12 months. To successfully complete the MSc programme you are required to take modules to a total value of 180 credits over three semesters. Taught modules take place during the first and second semesters with examinations being held in January and May/June. An individual project is carried out over the full year: background reading and design work take place during the first and second semesters whilst the bulk of experimental work and preparation of the dissertation take place during the summer term. 2.1
Taught Modules
Compulsory Modules You must take the following compulsory modules: Code EEE8001 EEE8002 EEE8003
Credits (15) (15) (15)
EEE8076
(15)
EEE8077
(10)
EEE8091
(10)
EEE8092
(10)
EEE8097
(60)
Sem 1 2 1
Descriptive title Signal Processing and Estimation Mobile & Cellular Communications Advanced Modulation and Coding Techniques 1 Reconfigurable Hardware Design (Coursework) 1 Simulation of Wireless Communications (Coursework) 2 Implementation of Wireless Receiver Algorithms (Coursework) 1 Sensor Network Group Project (Coursework) 2 & 3 Individual Project
Module Leader Dr WL Woo Dr WL Woo Dr S LeGoff Dr A Bystrov Dr C Tsimenidis Dr C Tsimenidis Dr C Tsimenidis Dr D Giaouris
Optional Modules In addition to the above compulsory modules you will have to select modules, in approved combination, to a total value of 30 credits from the following list: Code EEE8008 EEE8009
Credits (15)
EEE8010 EEE8020 EEE8064
(15) (15) (15)
(15)
Sem Descriptive title 2 RF Engineering 2 Wired and Wireless Network Technologies 2 Advanced Multimedia Systems 2 Advanced VLSI Design 2 Biometrics and Recognition
3
Module Leader Prof G Y Tian Prof S Boussakta Prof S S Dlay Prof A Yakovlev Prof S S Dlay
Timing of Modules The timing of modules is designed to produce an equitable division of workload between the three semesters. Certain combinations of options may, however, result in you having a higher workload in either semester 1 or semester 2. Code
Semester 1 Credits
Semester 2 Credits
Semester 3 Credits
EEE8001
15 (compulsory)
0
0
EEE8002
0
15 (compulsory)
0
EEE8003
15 (compulsory)
0
0
EEE8008
0
15
0
EEE8009
0
15
0
EEE8010
0
15
0
EEE8020
0
15
0
EEE8064
0
15
0
EEE8076
15 (compulsory)
0
0
EEE8077
10 (compulsory)
0
0
EEE8091
0
10 (compulsory)
0
EEE8092
10 (compulsory)
0
0
10 (compulsory)
50 (compulsory)
EEE8097 2.2
Course Work
There are four coursework-based modules; EEE8076, EEE8077 and EEE8092 which are undertaken during Semester 1 and EEE8091 undertaken in semester 2. EEE8076 covers reconfigurable hardware design using FPGA, while EEE8077 deals with the simulation of wireless communication links in MATLAB. In contrast, EEE8091 concentrates on the real-time implementation of receiver algorithms on SHARC-based DSP boards, while EEE8092 focuses on wireless sensor network protocols and embedded programming using Zigbee-based development boards. The course works are assessed on the basis of a report and software demonstration. The reports must be submitted to the School Office at a specified date. Further details will be provided by the individual Module Leader and the Degree Programme Director. 2.3
Penalties
Penalties will be applied for late submission of coursework reports and written assignments, more information can be found in the MSc handbook: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/eece/postgrad/taught/MSc-EECE-General-Handbook-10.pdf
The penalty for plagiarism in any written work is covered in the MSc handbook: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/eece/postgrad/taught/MSc-EECE-General-Handbook-10.pdf
4
2.4
Additional Support Courses
During Welcome Week, students will be offered an interactive Introduction to MATLAB and C Programming languages that are extensively used in the course for both simulation and embedded hardware based modules, as well as for project-related work. Although the target audience for these crash courses are students with limited or no previous experience in programming, a selection of advanced, subject-related topics will be covered too.
5
