Scroll Up Apply Now AI Assistant Change Preferences

BE203 - Telecommunication Systems

Credit points: 15 credit points

Workload: 48 hours

Prerequisite: BE201 Digital Communication

Co-requisite: N/A

Aims & objectives

This is a core unit out of a total of 24 units in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Telecommunications) BEngTech (Tel). This unit addresses the appropriate BEngTech (Tel) course learning outcomes by giving students a solid ground in telecommunication systems engineering. For further information on the course please refer to: http://www.mit.edu.au/study-with-us/programs/bachelor-engineering-technology-telecommunications
Telecommunications is one of the fastest growing industry sectors in the world. The main aim of this unit is that students obtain an understanding of the basic principles and techniques fundamental to the analysis and design of telecommunication systems.

This unit will provide students with the knowledge and skills to analyse and understand system engineering, Public Switched Telecommunication Network (PSTN), Digital Microwave Link designing, Economic Evaluation of the system and Radar systems, the rationale behind its structure, and a technical overview of telecommunication networks from a system point of view. It also covers all the concepts necessary for a complete understanding of the design of practical telecommunication networks.

Topics studied in this unit include:

  • Overview of Telecommunication Networks
  • Introduction to Telecommunication System Engineering
  • Introduction to System Reliability Engineering
  • Public Switched Telecommunication Network (PSTN)
  • Teletraffic Engineering
  • Digital Microwave Radio Communication Systems
  • Economic Evaluation of Systems
  • Introduction to Radar Systems
  • Radio Navigational System
  • Emerging Trends and Case Studies

Learning outcomes

4.1 Course Learning Outcomes
The Course learning outcomes applicable to this unit are listed on the Melbourne Institute of Technology’s website: www.mit.edu.au 

4.2 Unit Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit students are expected to be able to:

a. Demonstrate knowledge of system engineering;
b. Understand Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), acquire technical knowledge of signalling, switching and call routing in Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN);
c. Understand how to make a system more reliable and efficient;
d. Understand digital microwave radio systems, design microwave links, construct a path profile and obtain a comprehensive understanding of the atmospheric effect on the performance of microwave links; 
e. Undertake an economic evaluation of telecommunication systems;
f. Understand Radio Navigational Systems;
g. Apply their knowledge of radar systems and their applications.

Weekly Topics

This unit will cover the content below:

Week Topics
1 Introduction to system engineering and telecommunications networks: Definitions, system design considerations, elements of a telecom system, the hierarchy of systems, functional areas of telecommunication, transmission impairments (attenuation, phase distortion, noise), quality of service, Basic transmission parameters (e.g. decibel, noise figure, bit error rate).
2 Introduction to system reliability engineering: Product reliability from a consumer and manufacturer perspectives, (availability, reliability, maintainability and their relationship), Statistical estimation of reliability, Reliability calculations of electronic systems, Redundancy in design of a telecommunication network, importance of redundant systems and their types.
3 Economic evaluation of telecom systems: Introduction, Time Value of Money, Present Worth (PW) Analysis. Conventional Payback Period, Discounted Payback Period, Annual Worth (AW) Analysis.
4 Digital Microwave Radio Communication System: Introduction, Digital Microwave Radio (DMR) Links applications, Propagation in free space, Link budget calculations, Atmospheric effects on communication, Fresnel Zone.
5 Digital Microwave Radio Communication System: Causes of Radio Wave Fading, Diffraction by Knife Edge, Digital Microwave Radio(DMR) System Configuration, Passive Repeater Configuration, DMR Link Design Steps, Radio path profiling.
6 Public Switched Telephone Networks: Introduction to telephony, hybrid transformer, need of an exchange, Private Branch Exchanges (PBX), Hierarchy of Exchanges, Call Routing in PSTN, PSTN Numbering Concepts, PSTN Signalling, PSTN Switching and Switching Hierarchy, Switching Functions
7 Teletraffic Engineering: Network Dimensioning, Exchange Capacity, Busy Hour, Grade of Service, Erlang B & C Formulas, traffic Intensity
8 An introduction to Radar Systems: What is a radar, Radar applications, Types of radar installations, Concept of radar operation, Radar Cross Section, Pulsed radar system, Range measurement ambiguity, Blind ranges.
9 An introduction to Radar Systems Continue: Doppler (CW) Radar system, Single Antenna superheterodyne, Two Antenna superheterodyne, MTI & Pulsed Doppler Radar System, Range resolution, Angular resolution, Common types of Radar displays.
10 Radio Navigational Aid: Basic Principle, Radio Directional Finding, Distance Measuring Equipment, Instrument Landing System, Microwave Landing System
11 Next-generation networks and their access technologies: Australian NBN, fiber access technologies (FTTx), copper access technologies (xDSL), hybrid-fiber coax network
12 General Revision

Assessment

Assessment Task Release Date Due Date A B Learning Outcomes Assessed
Class Participation and Contribution Each week in Lab Each week in Lab 10%   a-g
Individual Formative Assignment 1a
Individual Assignment 1b		 Week 1 Week 3 (08/04/2022)
Week 7 (06/05/2022)		 4%
6%		   a-e
Assignment 2 (Groups of 2-3 students) Week 7 Week 11 (03/06/2022) 30%   a,c,d-g
Major Assignment Replacing Final Examination (4 hours)       50% a-g
TOTALS     50% 50%  

Task Type: Type A: unsupervised, Type B: supervised.

Class Participation and Contribution
This unit has class participation and student contribution as an assessment. The assessment task and marking rubric will follow the Guidelines on Assessing Class Participation (https://www.mit.edu.au/about-us/governance/institute-rules-policies-and-plans/policies-procedures-and-guidelines/Guidelines_on_Assessing_Class_Participation). Further details will be provided in the assessment specification on the type of assessment tasks and the marking rubrics.

Presentations (if applicable)
For presentations conducted in class, students are required to wear business attire.

Textbook and reference materials

Note: Students are required to purchase the prescribed textbook and have it available each week in class.

Prescribed Text Book:
Lecture notes by Lecturer

Other recommended references:

  • Freeman, R. L., "Telecommunication System Engineering” 4th Ed, Wiley-Interscience, 2004.
  • Blanchard, Benjamin S., Fabrycky, Wolter J." System Engineering and Analysis", Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011
  • Freeman, R. L., "Radio Systems Design for Telecommunications”, 3rd Ed, Wiley-Interscience, 2007
  • Change, Kai, “RF and Microwave Wireless Systems”, John Wiley & Sons Inc.,(A Wiley-Interscience Publication), 2011
  • Flood, J.E., “Telecommunication Networks”, The IEE, London, 1998
  • David.W, “Aircraft communication and Navigation System”, Hoboken : Taylor and Francis, 2013..

Adopted Reference Style: IEEEE (Information can be found in MIT library referencing)

Graduate attributes

MIT is committed to ensure the course is current, practical and relevant so that graduates are “work ready” and equipped for life-long learning. In order to accomplish this, the MIT Graduate Attributes identify the required knowledge, skills and attributes that prepare students for the industry.
The level to which Graduate Attributes covered in this unit are as follows:

Ability to communicate Independent and lifelong learning Ethics Analytical and problem solving Cultural and global awareness Team work Specialist knowledge of a field of study

Legend

Levels of attainment Extent covered
The attribute is covered by theory and practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students always play an active role, e.g. workshops, lab submissions, assignments, demonstrations, tests, examinations.
The attribute is covered by theory or practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students mostly play an active role, e.g. discussions, reading, intepreting documents, tests, examinations.
The attribute is discussed in theory or practice; it is addressed by assessed activities in which the students may play an active role, e.g. lectures and discussions, reading, interpretation, workshops, presentations.
The attribute is presented as a side issue in theory or practice; it is not specifically assessed, but it is addressed by activities such as lectures or tutorials.
The attribute is not considered, there is no theory or practice or activities associated with this attribute.