module specification

Communications Engineering is essential across various industries, facilitating seamless data transmission, networking, and real-time communication. In telecommunications, it serves as the foundation for mobile networks, fibre-optic communication, satellite communication, and broadband infrastructure, enabling global voice, video, and data transmission. In healthcare, it supports telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and electronic health records (EHRs) by ensuring secure and efficient communication between healthcare providers and patients.

This module introduces fundamental concepts in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), providing students with a clear understanding of its principles and real-world applications. It explores how ICT is integrated into everyday life and examines its impact across various sectors. Additionally, the module addresses key ethical, social, economic, and environmental issues related to the ICT field, encouraging critical thinking about its broader implications.

Overview of communication systems, significant historical events and developments, and regulatory bodies;
Social, political, environmental and economic implications of developments in modern communications technology;
Analogue and digital signal characteristics;
Bandwidth, attenuation, noise, types and the decibel;
Signal representation and spectral analysis;
Transmission media;
Analogue and digital modulation and demodulation techniques;
Analogue and digital multiplexing and demultiplexing techniques;
Sampling theorem, analogue to digital and digital to analogue conversions (ADC and DAC);
Coding processes and line encoding schemes;
Examples of modern communications systems;
Lab coursework.

Students will be expected to carry out independent background study to familiarise themselves with the platforms and tools that will be used during the module. The module includes online learning material via Weblearn (VLE), face-to-face delivery of content, teaching/tutorial and assessment activities, student support and feedback.

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
LO1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of commercial, environmental, social and economic issues related to communication systems including the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion.
LO2. Evaluate impact of technological solutions to problems related to communication systems.
LO3. Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct.
LO4. Explain the basic structure/architecture of modern communication systems and related concepts, principles and theories.
LO5. Apply scientific, mathematical and ICT principles and methods to solve problems related to communications systems.
LO6. Work effectively in a group context.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/F497FA8C-8A9E-D250-226B-7D2BEC5D2E41.html?lang=en-GB&login=1

Textbooks:
1. Behrouz A. Forouzan (2022), Data Communications and Networking with TCP/IP Protocol Suite, ISBN10: 0078022096
2. Stephan Jones, Ronald J. Kovac, Frank M. Groom (2020), Introduction to Communications Technologies, ISBN 9780367575618
2. Forouzan (2013), Data Communications and Networking, ISBN: 9789814577519
3. Proakis & Salehi (2014), Fundamentals of Communications, ISBN: 9780133354942
4. Green (1999), Digital Electronics (1999), ISBN-13: 9780582317369
5. Charles A. Schuler (2002), Electronics: Principles and Applications, ISBN: 9780071315531
6. Bates, R.J., Gregory, D.W. (2007), Voice & Data Communications Handbook, 5th Ed., McGraw-Hill Osborne, ISBN 0072263350.
7. Beyda, W.J. (2004), Data Communications: From Basics to Broadband, 4th Ed., Pearson Prentice Hall, ISBN 013145692X.
8. Couch, L.W. (2007), Digital and Analogue Communication Systems, 7th Ed., Prentice Hall, ISBN 0131424920.
9. Haykin, S. and Moher, M. (2007), Introduction to Analog and Digital Communications, 2nd Ed., John Wiley and Sons, ISBN 0471432229.
10. Tomasi, W. (2005), Introduction to Data Communications and Networking, Pearson Prentice Hall, ISBN 0130138282.

Non-Technical references:

1. Cairncross, F. (2001), The Death of Distance: How the Communications Revolution is Changing Our Lives, Harvard Business School Press, ISBN 157851438X.
2. Martin and Schinzinger (1997), Ethics in Engineering, 3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0071141952.
3. Solymar, L. (1999), Getting the Message: A History of Communications, Oxford Univ. Press, ISBN 0198503334.
4. Tavani, H.T. (2003), Ethics in an Age of Information and Communication Technology, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 0471452505.

Journals: 
Journal of Communications and Networks
IEEE Communications Magazine
IET Communications

Websites: IEEE xplore