Part B: Signals, communications and networking technologies.

Part A: To introduce the fundamental principles of digital logic, circuits and systems starting with symbolic logic through to the concept of logic gates to the structure and operation of digital logic circuits and systems.

Part B: To provide students with an introduction to signal characteristics, an overview of the basics of communication systems, networks and applications of networks.

• Manipulate and simplify logic functions using the laws of Boolean algebra and Karnaugh maps.
• Describe the basic operation of electronic logic gates and their performance capabilities and limitations.
• Use number systems to perform simple binary arithmetic and code conversion and describe the implementation of basic computer arithmetic circuits.
• Demonstrate the implementation of logic functions using multiplexer & decoder ICs and programmable logic devices.
• Analyse and design simple combinational logic systems.
• Describe the basic principles of flip-flops as memory elements and their implementation in registers and counters.
• Apply the principles of analysis and design of simple synchronous sequential systems using state diagrams and state change tables.
• Describe the basic architecture and operation of computer systems with reference to the design of simple PIC microcontroller based systems.
• Develop a working knowledge of the fundamentals of signals and their properties in the time and the frequency domain.
• Describe the basic principles of a communication system.
• Describe and discuss the challenges in a wireless communication system and how to solve them.
• Develop a working knowledge of analogue and digital modulation schemes.
• Discuss fundamentals of techniques used in networks.
• Describe the applications of networks.

Semester 1

Part A: Digital Electronics (NGE)

Principles: digital signals & systems, computer hardware & basic operation. Symbolic logic, logical connectives: AND,OR, NAND, NOR, EXOR. Boolean algebra, duality, truth tables, positive & negative assertion level logic. Electronic logic gates: FET logical switch & CMOS. Combinational logic functions. Minimisation using Karnaugh maps & algorithmic techniques. Propagation delay & logic hazards.

[8 lectures]

Simple binary arithmetic: codes & conversions, 2’s complement & floating point representation. Arithmetic circuits: series/parallel adders & subtractors.

[2 lectures]

Part B: Signals and Communications (MH)

Representation of signals in the time and frequency domain, finite length samples and discrete signals, signal power and the decibel scale.

Classification of signals: periodic, aperiodic, random, energy and power signals.

Signal spectra and bandwidth.

[6 lectures]

Fixed Link Technologies: Copper, fibre, characteristics and applications.
Wireless Technologies: microwave fixed link, mobile channels. Characteristics, limitations and applications.  Elements of Modulation: Amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, digital modulation schemes, PSK, FSK.

[4 lectures]

Semester 2

Part A: Digital Electronics (NGE)

IC logic systems: multiplexers, decoders, programmable logic devices. Latches & flip-flops: clocked D-type & JK-type, edge & pulse triggered versions. Shift registers & counters. Synchronous sequential systems: state diagrams & design method.

[6 lectures]

Computer systems: microprocessors & microcontrollers. Basic architecture & operation: Buses, ALU, registers & flags, instruction decoding & control. Types of memory. Input/output ports, interrupts, bus communication & tri-state devices. Instruction sets, machine code & assembly language. Examples using PIC microcontrollers.

[4 lectures]

Part B: Networking Technologies (MH)

Bit transmission, Transmission Media, Local Asynchronous Communication (RS-232), Packet transmission, Packets and Frames, Error Detection.  Network Topologies, LAN Technologies: IEEE 802 protocols, LAN Devices, Hardware Addresses, WAN Technologies.

[10 lectures]

40 lectures. Formative test end of semester 1 & formal exam end of semester 2.

Behrouz A. Forouzan, 2001. ‘Data Communications & Networking’. 2nd ed. update. 0072822945, Mcgraw-Hill C

12 August 2010