Fundamentals of Communications Technology

Course Coordinator: Dr Wilson Chu Hon Wai, BS (Boston); MSE (Elec. Eng.), MSE (Math. Sc.) (Johns Hopkins University); PhD (HKUST); SrMIEEE

This course is one of the compulsory courses in the BSc and BSc (Hons) in Communications Technology programme and the BSc (Hons)in Communications Technology with Management programme. It is also suitable for students who simply want to learn the fundamentals of communications technology.

The course design makes use of online activities as integral learning components, so a basic knowledge of computer operation in a Microsoft Windows environment is essential before commencing study of the course.

Advisory prerequisite(s)
Students are advised to have already studied MATH S122.

Aims
This course aims to:

• teach students the basic principles, technologies and practices of communication systems;
• enable students to describe signals in the time domain and the frequency domain;
• equip students with a basic understanding of conversion from analogue to digital signals; and
• illustrate to students how digital baseband signals are modulated and transmitted.

Contents
The course covers the following topics:

• Principles of communication
• Mathematical description of signals
• Time-domain system analysis
• Frequency-domain system analysis
• Amplitude modulation
• Frequency modulation
• Noise and filters
• Conversion of analogue signals to digital signals 
• Digital modulation

Learning support
There will be 10 two-hour tutorials and 10 two-hour surgeries throughout the course.

Assessment
There will be four assignments and a final examination. Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Online requirement
This course is supported by the Online Learning Environment (OLE). You can find the latest course information from the OLE. Through the OLE, you can communicate electronically with your tutor and the Course Coordinator as well as other students. To access the OLE, students will need to have access to the Internet. The use of the OLE is required for the study of this course.

Equipment
Students will need access to a computer system suitable for connecting to the Internet. The recommended minimum computing requirements are:

• Pentium 4 CPU
• SVGA display card and monitor
• 1 GB RAM
• 2 GB free hard disk space
• DVD-ROM drive (8X or better) and sound card
• Mouse and printer

Software
Students will need access to a computer with Microsoft Windows 7 or later versions.

Set book(s)
A custom textbook will be provided.