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Unit of study_
ELEC3405: Communications Electronics and Photonics
2025 unit information
This unit of study provides an introduction to the fundamental operation and design of transmitter and receiver subsystems for two broad classes of communications systems: those based on electronic transmission and those based on optical transmission. In the area of electronic communication subsystems, the course presents transmitter and receiver design. Topics relating to the transmitter comprise electronic oscillator sources, tuned electronic amplifiers, and modulators. Topics relating to receiver design comprise RF and IF frequency selective amplifiers, mixers, demodulators, phase-lock loops, feedback amplifiers, and high frequency RF and microwave communication amplifiers. In the area of optical communication subsystems, the course presents photonic transmitters and receivers. On the transmitter side this focuses on the principles of light generation in optical sources such as semiconductor lasers and light emitting diodes, electro-optic modulation of light, and optical amplifiers. On the receiver side, photodetectors, optical receivers, and front-end circuits are discussed. The principles and design of these subsystems are considered with reference to a basic optoelectronic communication link.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Engineering
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | School of Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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ELEC2104. A background in basic electronics and circuit theory is assumed |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. undertake inquiry and knowledge development using varied sources and media formats to synthesise and supplement information pertinent to the course work presented
- LO2. make written presentations in the form of lab and project reports
- LO3. work in a team and sustain the process of creative team interaction for the design of a complete electronic communication system by assuming various roles, being open to alternate viewpoints and contributing creatively to achieve completion on time and within scope
- LO4. design, implement and test a complete electronic communication system that can transmit information, using technical principles and design methodology presented throughout the course
- LO5. demonstrable understanding of oscillator sources, tuned amplifiers, and modulators, including RF and IF frequency selective amplifiers, mixers, demodulators, and feedback amplifiers
- LO6. demonstrate an understanding of light generation in optical sources such as semiconductor lasers and light emitting diodes, modulation of light, photo detectors, and optical receivers circuits
- LO7. apply the principles of communications electronics and photonics to a basic optoelectronic link as part of a specific engineering design problem
- LO8. demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of electronic communication transmitters and receivers to the extent of the material presented in the course
- LO9. describe the principles of optical communication transmitters and receivers to the limit of the material presented throughout the course.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
