Papua New Guinea University of Technology

Department of Electrical and Communications Engineering

Teaching Plan
Subject Communications Systems Subject Code EE321
Semester/year Semester II/2025 Date Prepared 05/07/2025
Coordinators
Dr. Hikma Shabani (Ph.D)
& Lecturer
Lab Instructor TBA Credit Hours (PNG standard) 16
Technical
Rhonda Karato (Ms)
Officer
Period 15 weeks Credit Hours (Engineering Accreditation Standard) 6
Subject This introductory subject to modern communications systems focuses on digital data transmission.
Synopsis Digital transmission of data is more favorable over analog transmission in terms of the size of content
being delivered, the quality of the transmission and the reduced size of physical infrastructure. However,
all-natural signal exist in analog form and the subject commences with the study of conversion techniques
in transforming the analog source signal into digital from that is processed, transmitted, retrieved and
converted back to useful from for the end user. Digital modulation techniques involved in processing the
digital for transmission is explored through theoretical and practical laboratory exercises. Ideal
transmission medium is rare; thus, the unit concludes by discussing the different types of noise induced
by the system and the propagation medium. Techniques to quantify the noise are developed through
theoretical and analytical calculations with the help of mathematical tools.
Contact hours Lecture: 3 hours/week
Laboratory/Project: 3 hours/week
Evaluation 60% Continuous Assessment
40% Final Examination
Subject On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
Learning 1. Apply mathematical signals & systems theories to advanced communication systems
Outcomes 2. Evaluate and critique common modern communication systems in terms of their properties,
(SLO) advantages and disadvantages
3. Simulate the operation of communication systems to predict their performance
4. Design a communication system according to a given specification by using design calculations
5. Develop an appreciation of the benefits and problems associated with team-based engineering work.
Assessment Distribution (%) SLO1 SLO2 SLO3 SLO4 SLO5
Methods Quiz 1 2.5 X X X X X
Quiz 2 2.5 X X X X X
Assignment 1 (Performance Evaluation) 15 X X X X
Laboratory 1 2 X X X
Laboratory 2 2 X X X
Laboratory 3 2 X X X
Laboratory 4 2 X X X
Laboratory 5 2 X X X
Assignment 2 (Group Mini Project) 15 X X X
Mid Term Exam 15 X X X
Final Exam 40 X X X
1. Leon W. Couch, II, Digital and Analog Communication Systems, Prentice-Hall, 8th Ed., 2015
Reference 2. Simon S. Haykin & Michael Moher, An Introduction to Analog and Digital Communications, 5th
Used in Class
Ed, 2006
1. Simon Haykin, Communication Systems, Wiley, 5th ed., 2009
2. An online course on Principles of Communications Systems
https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc19_ee08/preview
3. A free online course on analogue communication that is briefly covered in this subject as
Additional introductory topic https://www.classcentral.com/course/swayam-principles-of-communication
References
systems-i-7963
4. An introductory course from MIT on Digital Communications that is similar in content to this
subject: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-02-introduction-
to-eecs-ii-digital-communication-systems-fall-2012/
Google
Classroom
Code
5i2xhp4n
EE321 Communications Systems Page 1
 Electrical and Communications Engineering Course Learning Outcomes – Mapped to EA
Stage 1 Competencies
The following table is included to demonstrate to Electrical and Communications Engineering students that overall, their
CLOs address all EA Stage 1 Competencies. The combined mapping details for all SLOs to Engineers Australia Stage
1 Competencies provides finer detail.

Course Learning Outcomes*

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
1. Deep understanding of the sciences, math, information systems and
engineering fundamentals that underpin the electrical and communication 1.1, 1.2
engineering discipline.
2. An in-depth understanding of the body of knowledge of the electrical and
1.2, 1.3
communication engineering discipline.
3. Collection, synthesis and application of electrical and communication
1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.4
engineering information.
4. Undertaking research, analysis & evaluation of ideas and concepts within
1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.2, 3.4
electrical and communication engineering
5. Applying problem solving skills to complex electrical and communication
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3
systems and processes.
6. Undertake design in electrical and communication engineering and manage
1.6, 2.2, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6
engineering projects.

7. Communication via multiple media to diverse audiences, undertaking team

2.4, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6
roles, teamwork and providing team leadership.

8. Behaving in an ethical and professional manner and respecting others. 1.6, 2.4, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6

9. Being cognisant of the importance of sustainability and the environmental

1.5, 1.6, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4
impact of engineering.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

All Subject Learning Outcomes combine to collectively deliver the Course Learning Outcomes and Engineers Australia
Stage 1 Competencies.

1. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL BASE 2. ENGINEERING 3. PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL

APPLICATION ABILITY ATTRIBUTES
1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based 2.1 Application of established 3.1 Ethical conduct and professional
understanding of the underpinning natural engineering methods to accountability.
and physical sciences and the engineering complex engineering problem
fundamentals applicable to the engineering solving.
discipline.
1.2 Conceptual understanding of the 2.2 Fluent application of 3.2 Effective oral and written
mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, engineering techniques, tools communication in professional and lay
and computer and information sciences and resources. domains.
which underpin the engineering discipline.
1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies 2.3 Application of systematic 3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active
of knowledge within the engineering engineering synthesis and demeanour.
discipline. design processes.
1.4 Discernment of knowledge development 2.4 Application of systematic 3.4 Professional use and management of
and research directions within the approaches to the conduct and information.
engineering discipline. management of engineering
projects.
1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice 3.5 Orderly management of self, and
and contextual factors impacting the professional conduct.
engineering discipline.
1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, 3.6 Effective team membership and team
norms, accountabilities and bounds of leadership.
sustainable engineering practice in the
specific discipline

EE321 Communications Systems Page 2

 Reading

Delivery
Topic Week Topic Outcomes (TO) SLO CLO

Method
Book | Chapter

• Know what is expected of the subject

• Describe how communication

Lecture & Tutorial

1 1 systems work
• Identify the frequency allocation 1, 2, 3,
• Introduction
1 • Describe the propagation 2 4, 5, &
• Overview
characteristics 6
1 1 • Define and describe information
measure in communications system
• Evaluate coding performance
• Analog-to-digital
signaling (Pulse
code modulation
1 2 and delta • To study how analog waveforms can
be converted to digital waveforms.
modulation)

Lecture, Tutorial & Laboratory

• To learn how to compute the
• Binary and
spectrum for digital signals.
multilevel digitals
signals • To examine how the filtering of pulse
signals affects our ability to recover 1, 2, 3,
• Spectra and 1, 2,
2,3 the digital information at the 4, 5, 6,
bandwidths of &4
receiver. &7
digital signals
• To study how we can multiplex
• Prevention of
2 5&6 (combine) data from several digital
intersymbol
bit streams into one high-speed
interference
digital stream for transmission over a
• Time division
digital system
multiplexing
• Packet
transmission
• Complex envelopes and modulated
signals

Lecture, Tutorial &

1 4 • Spectra of bandpass signals

Laboratory
• Bandpass Signaling • Nonlinear distortion 1, 2, 3,
2, 3
Principles and 4,5 • Communication circuits (mixers, 4, 5, 6,
&4
Circuits phase-locked loops, frequency &7
2 7 synthesizers, and detectors)
• Transmitters and receivers
• Software radios
• Amplitude modulation and single
sideband
Lecture, Tutorial &

1 5
• Frequency and phase modulation
Laboratory

• AM, FM and 1, 2, 3,
• Digital audio broadcasting 1, 2,
Digital Modulated 6,7 4, 5, 6,
• Digitally modulated signals (OOK, &3
&7
Systems
BPSK, FSK, MSK, MPSK, QAM,
2 3&4
QPSK, QPSK, and OFDM)
• Spread spectrum and CDMA systems

Mid Term Exam – 18th August 2025, Monday week 7 from 9 AM to 11 AM in E103.

Mid-Semester Break
Lecture, Tutorial &

1 6 • Random processes
Laboratory

• Random Processes • Power spectral density 1, 2, 3,

and Spectral 8,9 • Characteristics of linear systems 1&3 4, 5, 6,
2 8 Analysis • Gaussian random processes &7
• Matched filters

EE321 Communications Systems Page 3

 Reading

Delivery
Topic Week Topic Outcomes (TO) SLO CLO

Method
Book | Chapter

• Bit error rate for binary systems

Lecture, Tutorial &

1 7&8 (unipolar, polar, bipolar, OOK,
• Performance of

Laboratory
BPSK, FSK, and MSK) 1, 2, 3,
communication 10,11
• Output signal-to-noise ratio for 3 4, 5, 6
9, 10, & systems corrupted
2 analog systems (AM, SSB, PM, and &7
11 by Noise
FM)

• Telephone Systems
1 8 • Wire and Wireless • Ethernet Networks 1, 2, 3,

Lecture &
12 3, 4
Communication • Fiber 4, 5, 6

Tutorial
&5
2 1 Applications • Wi-Fi &7
• Satellite Communications
1, 2, 3,
13 3&4
• Revision • 4, 5, 6
&7
• Final Exam •

Assessment Details

Type Group/ Individual Learning Domain Mark

Laboratory Group/Individual Psychomotor 10 %
Quiz Individual Cognitive & Affective 5%
Assignment 1 – Performance Evaluation Group/Individual Cognitive & Affective 15 %
Assignment 2 – Group Mini Project Group Cognitive, Affective & Psychomotor 15%
Mid-Term Exam Individual Cognitive & Affective 15 %
Final Exam Individual Cognitive 40 %

Assessment Schedule:

Week No
Assessment Methods 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Exam
Laboratories X X X X X
Quiz 1 X
Quiz 2 X
Break

Assignment 1 – Performance Evaluation X

Assignment 2 – Group Mini Project X
Mid- Term Exam X
Final Exam X

SLO-CLO mapping:

Learning Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

Outcomes CLO1 CLO2 CLO3 CLO4 CLO5 CLO6 CLO7 CLO8 CLO9
SLO1 X X X X X
SLO2 X X X X X X
SLO3 X X X X X X X
SLO4 X X X X X X X
SLO5 X X X X X X X

Prepared By: Dr. Hikma Shabani (PhD) Checked & Approved By:
(Head of the department ECE)

Date: 05/07/25 Date:

EE321 Communications Systems Page 4