TRON C3603 - Software Defined Radio

Module Title:Software Defined Radio
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 5
NFQ Level:7
Module Delivered In 5 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: Teaching & Learning Strategies: (a) Lectures will present radio system theory with an emphasis on in-field implementation of SDR systems. (b) System simulation and development software will be used to realise working radio systems through practical tutorials. (c) Projects will require students to develop their own radio receivers and transmitters using SDR techniques.
Module Aim: To give students the specialised knowledge, technical competencies and conceptual skills to: (a) Evaluate the effects of transceiver specifications on radio link performance. (b) Implement and analyse a variety of wireless modulation and coding standards. (c) Analyse and design typical SDR transceiver architectures. (d) Select and design basic antennas for commonly used frequency bands.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Evaluate the effects of transceiver specifications on radio link performance.
LO2 Implement and analyse a variety of wireless modulation and coding standards.
LO3 Analyse and design typical SDR transceiver architectures.
LO4 Select and design basic antennas for commonly used frequency bands.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.

No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
Digital Communications, Mathematics 3, Computer Programming
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Software Radio Transceiver Performance:
Noise & Link Budgets; Non-Linear Elements; Sensitivity & Dynamic Range; FFT; IQ Sampling & Multirate Sampling.
Wireless Communication Concepts:
Analogue/Digital Modulation; Channel Coding; Pulse-Shaping; Wireless Standards; Synchronisation.
SDR Transceiver Architectures:
Receivers – Heterodyne, Direct-Conversion, Image Reject and Low-IF. Transmitters – Direct-Conversion, Heterodyne and other architectures.
Antennas & Propagation:
Antenna Parameters & Radiation Patterns; HF, VHF & Satellite Antennas; Fading and Propagation Fundamentals.
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment20.00%
Project40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination40.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Written Report Students will be required to submit a set of reports on selected SDR topics. 1,2,3,4 20.00 n/a
Project
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Project Each student will complete a set of mini-projects, for which a maximum total mark of 40% will be awarded. Each project will test the ability of the student to apply the module theory to a practical task. 1,2,3,4 40.00 n/a
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam A final written examination will test the student's ability to demonstrate the learning outcomes. 1,2,3,4 40.00 End-of-Semester

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Every Week 3.00
Practicals Every Week 3.00
Independent Learning Every Week 2.00
Total Hours 8.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_EEBEE_B Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Biomedical Electronics 6 Elective
CW_EESYS_B Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronic Engineering 6 Elective
CW_EEROB_B Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Robotics and Automated Systems 6 Elective
CW_EEBEE_D Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Electronics 6 Mandatory
CW_EEROO_D Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics and Automated Systems 6 Mandatory