Modern Communication Systems

Unit code: NEE2005 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Footscray Park
Prerequisites
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)
Overview
Enquire

Overview

In this unit, you will investigate how modern communication systems connect people, devices, and infrastructure across the globe. You will examine how information is encoded, transmitted, and recovered through various channels, and how design decisions affect quality, efficiency, and resilience of communication systems. Working with modulation, coding, and signal-processing techniques, you will develop the ability to evaluate and enhance communication performance in the presence of noise and interference. Laboratory work and simulations will help you test real-world behaviours and appreciate the trade-offs between power consumption, bandwidth, and reliability. Ethical considerations and responsible design principles will also underpin your exploration of communication technology’s societal role. By the end of this unit, you will be able to analyse, design, and evaluate communication systems that are efficient, secure, and responsive to contemporary environmental and social contexts.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Analyse digital and analogue communication systems to identify performance and reliability parameters;
  2. Implement modulation, coding, and multiplexing techniques to transmit information efficiently and ethically across communication networks;
  3. Evaluate signal and noise characteristics Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), Bit-error-rate (BER) through collaborative analytical problem-solving;
  4. Interpret the impact of bandwidth, interference, and channel limitations on communication quality; and
  5. Apply inclusive, sustainable, and ethical reasoning to the design of secure communication solutions that support social responsibility and global connectivity.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type:
|
Grade:
In-class analytical signal and network task (Individual) (30 mins)
Assessment type:
|
Grade:
Applied design and data-interpretation report (Group) (2000 words)
Assessment type:
|
Grade:
In-class invigilated problem-solving and evaluation activity (Individual) (120 mins)

Exercise: This secure assessment ensures accountability by requiring students to perform signal analysis and network evaluation tasks under supervision. Real-time observation and process-focused questioning verify understanding and application of analytical skills.

Report: Report documenting design decisions, data collection, and interpretation. Explicit evaluation of individual contributions further supports the assessment and assurance of each student’s achievement of learning outcomes.

Test: This secure invigilated in class assessment has an unpredictable problem-solving scenario format that tests applied understanding, requires explanation of reasoning and process, and involves applying knowledge to new contexts.

Required reading

Required readings will be made available on VU Collaborate

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
NHEE | Bachelor honours degree | Duration: 4 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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