Communication and Networking Technologies (ECM2117)
DEVELOPER NOTES
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Module status - Active
Module description status - Inactive
Credits - 15
College code - EMP
Academic year - 2014/5
Module staff
Duration (weeks) - term 1
0
Duration (weeks) - term 2
11
Duration (weeks) - term 3
0
Number students taking module (anticipated)
18
Module description
In this module you will gain in-depth knowledge of modern communication and networking technologies and their applications. Emphasis will be placed on the protocols involved and how they inter-operate. Practical experience will be gained using the internet as a vehicle for presenting the different protocols, wherever possible real life examples are used to demonstrate the applications and protocols in action.
Module aims
The aim of this module is to equip you with the underlying theory and knowledge that underpins the fields of communications engineering and computer networking. You will learn about the nature and purpose of key telecommunication and networking principles, and apply these principles to addressing typical telecommunications and networking problems. You will demonstrate what you have learnt by undertaking a critical evaluation of a specified communication system, as well as providing an appropriate technical solution to a problem associated with the specified communication system.
This module covers Specific Learning Outcomes in Engineering, which apply to accredited programmes at Bachelors/MEng/Masters level. These contribute to the educational requirements for CEng registration (as defined under the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence – UK-SPEC).
This module correlates to references U1, U2, E1, E2, E3, E4, D1, D4, D5, D6, S4, P1, P4 and P6. These references are indices of the specific learning outcomes expected of Bachelors/MEng/Masters candidates set out in UK-SPEC, codified with reference to systems used by professional accrediting institutions. A full list of the standards can be found on the Engineering Council's website, at http://www.engc.org.uk
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. identify the need to standardise communication networks, and for devices within those networks to work together;
- 2. appreciate the characteristics of various transmission and networking technologies and the main factors that affect their performance;
- 3. demonstrate a working knowledge of a number of different protocols, the network standards to which devices must comply to ensure they can work together, and hardware and software components;
- 4. show knowledge of the design and operation of a number of telephone and Internet networks and systems;
- 5. compare and contrast the characteristics of different types of networks, and protocols used;
- 6. understand the principles of network security;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 7. grasp the theoretical principles underlying communication systems and networks through application and problem solving;
- 8. use network software tools to simulate, design and analyse Internet based communication networks.
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 9. monitor your own progress through tutor-marked assignments (TMA) and self-assessment questions (SAQ);
- 10. assess the effectiveness of your learning strategies, including time management, and modify appropriately;
- 11. utilise a variety of information sources to understand and supplement lecture material.
Syllabus plan
Basic Telecommunication Principles:
- inter-link communication;
- electrical signals;
- analogue and digital modulation;
- pulse code modulation;
- asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL);
- Bluetooth.
Introduction to the Internet:
- the 5 layer Internet protocol stack;
- the key functions and protocols of the application layer;
- Domain Name System (DNS), FTP and Email (SMTP & POP3);
- multimedia streaming over the Internet;
- TCP and UDP transport protocols;
- the IP protocol;
- Ethernet LANS.
Introduction to Telephony:
- analogue telephony networks, integrated digital networks, next generation networks;
- overview of GSM mobile networks: mobile phone system, base station subsystem, network switching subsystem and operation and maintenance subsystem.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 120 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 22 | Lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 8 | Tutorials |
| Guided independent study | 120 | Lecture and assessment preparation; wider reading |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not applicable | Not applicable |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 60 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam closed book | 60 | 2 hours | 1-7 | Written (verbal upon request) |
| Coursework TMA 1 | 10 | 6 hours | 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11 | Written and verbal |
| Coursework TMA 2 | 10 | 6 hours | 1-7, 9, 10, 11 | Written and verbal |
| Coursework network simulation and design study | 20 | 12 hours | 1-6, 8-11 | Written and verbal |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| All above | Written exam (100%) | All | August Ref/Def period |
Re-assessment notes
If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.
If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 40% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- ,Computer Networking with Internet Protocols and Technology,Stallings, W,,Prentice Hall,2004,004 STA,978-0131410985,
- ,Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet,Kurose and Ross,3rd,Addison Wesley,2004,001.64404 KUR,000-0-321-26976-4,
- ,Computer Networks,Tanenbaum, A.,4th,Prentice Hall,2004,001.64404 TAN,000-0-130-38488-7,
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk
Module ECTS
7.5
Module pre-requisites
None
Module co-requisites
None
NQF level (module)
5
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
19/11/2012
Last revision date
19/11/2012
Key words search
Telecommunications; Internet; multimedia; Ethernet; mobile phones.