Digital Communication Systems MSc

5.0
1 review
  • The course is interesting ,enjoy the time off in the first semester as after there is not much of free time. Great facilities !
    |

Master

In Loughborough

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Master

  • Location

    Loughborough

Overview
Our Digital Communication Systems MSc provides thorough coverage of the special skills and knowledge needed to meet the high and increasing demand for digital communications engineers who can manage and develop the technologies of today’s data-driven lifestyle.
Facilities of particular importance to you are the 3D-Printing Suite, the Engineering Machine Workshop and the Electronics Laboratory. Here you will be assisted by the best engineers in the UK to create your project hardware and allow you to produce meaningful advanced results.
During 2017 and 2018 the Wolfson School will refurbish all lecture theatres and work areas to be used by you. These new spaces will have state-of-the-art audio visual combined with designed acoustic environments. The school is also investing in software defined radio and this, combined with LabView/Matlab will be available.
Students on the Digital Communication Systems programme will have access to industry standard software and hardware including equipment provided by Texas Instruments, National Instruments, Anritsu and many other leaders in technology. There is a range of anechoic chambers including the largest microwave chamber at any UK university.
The Wolfson School is engaged in a large portfolio of high quality research in many areas of core Mechanical Engineering aspects. We are ranked 3rd in the UK for overall quality of research in mechanical, manufacturing, aeronautical and chemical engineering in the latest Government Research Exercise (REF 2014). The School has also received a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, in recognition of the research being carried out.
What makes this programme different?
Research-led teaching from international experts
Access to industry standard software
Gain state of the art knowledge combined with key engineering skills
Who should study this programme?

Facilities

Location

Start date

Loughborough (Leicestershire)
See map
Loughborough University, LE11 3TU

Start date

On request

About this course

Your personal and professional development
The School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering is committed to helping you develop the skills and attributes you need to progress successfully in your chosen career.
Your personal development
On successful completion of this programme, you should be able to
Manipulate, sort and present data in a range of forms
Use evidence based methods in the solution of complex problems
Use an engineering approach to the solution of problems in unfamiliar situations
Be creative and innovative in problem solving
Use a wide range of information and communications technology
Manage time and resources
Learn effectively, continuously and independently in a variety of environments
Future career prospects
Job opportunities include both senior technical and managerial activities in the fields of communications engineering including high speed digital design, communication systems engineering, software/firmware engineering, algorithm development and signal processing engineering.

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Reviews

5.0
  • The course is interesting ,enjoy the time off in the first semester as after there is not much of free time. Great facilities !
    |
100%
4.9
excellent

Course rating

Recommended

Centre rating

Student

5.0
16/01/2019
What I would highlight: The course is interesting ,enjoy the time off in the first semester as after there is not much of free time. Great facilities !
What could be improved: -
Would you recommend this course?: Yes
*All reviews collected by Emagister & iAgora have been verified

This centre's achievements

2019

All courses are up to date

The average rating is higher than 3.7

More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months

This centre has featured on Emagister for 13 years

Subjects

  • Telecommunication
  • Network Training
  • Programming
  • Communication Training
  • Engineering
  • Industry
  • Systems
  • Communications
  • Project
  • School
  • Art
  • Simulation
  • Radio
  • Design
  • Signal processing
  • Telecommunications
  • Multimedia
  • Network
  • Networks
  • Access

Course programme

What you'll study

Core study areas of our Digital Communication Systems MSc include the fundamentals of digital signal processing information theory and coding, and a specialist research project, supervised by experts in the field. Optional study areas include communication networks, personal radio communications, communication channels, digital signal processing, software defined radio, multimedia, mobile networks and intelligent signal processing.

Modules

Digital Communication Systems MSc covers a wide range of topics; to give you a taster we have expanded on some of the core modules affiliated with this programme and the specific assessment methods associated with each module.

Our team are expecting to offer the following modules, core and optional for the 2018 cycle. New modules are also under discussion so minor changes should be anticipated.

Semester 1

  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Optional
  • Summer

MATLAB as a Scientific Programming Language

MATLAB as a Scientific Programming Language

This module introduces students to the principles and applications of one of the most commonly used scientific programming languages in electrical engineering. Upon completion of this module, students should be able to describe the most commonly used MATLAB commands and be able to use them to perform routine programming. This module is currently assessed by 100% coursework – one individual programming project on computation.

Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing

Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing

This module aims to develop critical understanding of the fundamentals of digital signal processing, as applied to numerous and commonplace digital systems with the use of computer simulation-based tools. Upon completion of this module, students will be able to explain sampling theorem and the consequences of aliasing and quantisation distortion; explain z-transform and Fourier transform and their properties; in addition to being able to describe ideal filter approximation functions, and the basics of real-time processing. Currently, this module is assessed by Exam (70%) and Coursework (30%). The coursework is formed of two equally weighted parts: a general DSP and a digital filter design.

Information Theory and Coding

Information Theory and Coding

This module aims to develop knowledge and critical understanding of the fundamentals of information theory and its applications to source and channel coding. Upon completion of this module, students should be able to explain the principles of information theory for source coding and channel coding, being able to describe different channel coding methods. This module is currently assessed by a two-hour exam (70%) and an individual piece of coursework (30%) involving simulation of convolutional coding techniques.

Research Project

Research Project

This module aims to introduce the methods and tools required for the planning and management of a project by introducing information sources and retrieval techniques. The module aims to develop students’ technical communication skills in addition to enabling students to carry out a paper based small-scale research project. This module is currently assessed by a Preliminary Report (10%) and the Final Report (90%).

Communication Networks

Communication Networks

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of the principles of networked digital communications. Upon completion of the module, students should be able to explain the theory and methodologies used in modern computer networks, being able to use a network analyser and evaluate real-time performance of a working network. This module is currently assessed by one two-hour exam (70%) and one coursework assignment (30%). The coursework is a laboratory-based mini-project whereby the students will monitor the utilisation of one of the University’s networks.

Personal Radio Communications

Personal Radio Communications

This module provides an overview of various personal radio communications systems used around the world today. It examines key features of these systems in the context of channel access methods, guided and radiated waves and explores the interaction between radio waves and the human body. This module is currently assessed by one coursework assessment (20%) on the design and analysis of an antenna using electromagnetic simulation software and a second coursework assessment (10%) on an OFDMA simulation in Mathcad. Both coursework assessments are individually assessed. The remaining 70% of the assessment is a two-hour written examination.

Communication Channels

Communication Channels

The module aims to develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of telecommunication channels, with regard to the constraints imposed by the operating environment and how they can be overcome. This module is currently assessed by one 2-hour written examination (70%) and one individually assessed coursework assignment (30%) based on a comparative study of a microwave and optical fibre link in demanding terrain with budgetary constraints applied.

Digital Signal Processing for Software Defined Radio

Digital Signal Processing for Software Defined Radio

The aim of this module is for students to develop knowledge and critical understanding in the theory and implementation of digital signal processing, for software defined radio. Upon completion of this module, students should be able to explain software defined radio principles and their implementations in modern communication systems. This module is currently assessed by a two-hour written examination (70%) and coursework which is composed of one MATLAB-based individual coursework (30%).

Telecommunications Network Security

Telecommunications Network Security

This module aims to give students a broad view of security issues, threats and challenges as well as countermeasures developed in networked systems, with a focus on telecommunications networks. Upon completion of this module, students should be able to explain network security vulnerabilities and attacks in be able to describe appropriate security measures for telecommunication systems. This module is currently assessed by a two-hour examination (70%) and a piece of coursework (30%).

Mobile Network Technologies

Mobile Network Technologies

This module aims to introduce students to the principals and practicalities of mobile telecommunication systems and prepare the students for future employment in telecommunications industry at an advanced technical level. The module also presents mobile network technology evolution and introduces students to the state-of-the-art mobile telecommunication technologies. Upon completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate their understanding of mobile network technologies, their operations, networks architectures, multiple access techniques, radio resource management methods in addition to being able to recognize the complexities and identify issues associated with mobile communication systems. This module is currently assessed by one three-hour exam (100%).

Antennas

Antennas

This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to antennas and their functioning in addition to providing students with a practical experience in design and measurement of antennas. Upon completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the function of antennas used in communications systems. This module is currently assessed by design based individual coursework (30%) and an examination (70%).

Multimedia over Networks

Multimedia over Networks

The aim of this module is to develop students' knowledge and understanding of the techniques used for 2D/3D video processing and spatial audio and speech signal processing required for efficient communication systems and multimedia networking. Upon completion of this module, students should be able to explain the fundamental concepts in multimedia (video, audio and speech) signal processing, from acquisition and processing to transmission and rendering. This module is currently assessed by a 2.5 hour exam (100%).

Project in Digital Communication Systems

Project in Digital Communication Systems

This module aims to prepare the students for future employment in digital communication systems at an advanced technical level. Upon completion of this module, students should have gained knowledge and understanding of the general engineering principles and the particular problems of application in communication systems. Throughout the module, students will have been given the opportunity to work with systems which exploit related state-of-the-art technology. This module is currently assessed as 100% coursework. This is broken down into a Logbook (10%), Final Report (50%), Viva-Voce Examination (25%) and a Presentation & Poster (15%).

Digital Communication Systems MSc

Price on request