| CODE | CCE5305 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Radio Systems and Propagation | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Communications and Computer Engineering | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-units starts with a review of radio principles ranging from the generation, transmission and radiation of electromagnetic waves in antennas to wireless channel and propagation mechanisms. The measurement of RF electromagnetic fields is also treated from both the theoretical and practical aspects in line with international guidelines and the local regulatory framework. Following this, various propagation modes will be studied together with the theory behind radio propagation in a mobile environment. This includes multipath propagation, fast and slow fading, Rician and Rayleigh fading, Doppler effect, delay spread, coherence time and bandwidth and the impact of such effects on digital modulation schemes. This is further complemented with a study of a number of reference radio propagation models including the application of ray tracing for radio propagation modelling. In the final section of this study-unit, a number of radio frequency concepts, parameters and modulation schemes will be reviewed followed by a detailed treatment of radio receiver/transmitter architectures and channel equalisers. This is complemented by a series of practical sessions to demonstrate key radio system concepts through the use of software defined radios, signal generators and spectrum analysers. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims at providing an understanding of key radio principles, propagation mechanisms and propagation impairments in wireless channels and how they can be modelled. It also provides the theory needed to develop and analyse wireless front-end receivers and transmitters. This provides a holistic understanding what effects a signal as it is transmitted over a wireless channel. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Appraise key radio principles; - Analyse wireless propagation in different environments; - Assess common types of transmitter and receiver wireless architectures; - Examine the signal behaviour as it passes through the radio front-end. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply appropriate propagation models depending on the environment in which the transmitter and receiver are placed, such as indoor and outdoor; - Assess the architecture used to generate the radio frequency signal; - Assess the architecture used to receive the radio frequency signal; - Evaluate the signal behaviour as it passes through the different components of the radio front-end. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Text: - Theodore S. Rappaport, Wireless communications : principles and practice , Prentice-Hall, 2002. Supplementary Readings: - Henry L. Bertoni, “Radio Propagation for Modern Wireless Systems,” Prentice Hall, 2000 - Pennock S., Microwave Engineering with Wireless Applications, McGraw Hill, 1998, ISBN: 0070497222 IEEE Journal papers. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: B.Sc. (Hons); B.Eng; or equivalent | |||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study, Practicum & Tutorial | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Mario Cordina |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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