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Unit outline_

ELEC5507: Error Control Coding

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit deals with the principles of error control coding techniques and their applications in various communication and data storage systems. Its aim is to present the fundamentals of error control coding techniques and develop theoretical and practical skills in the design of error control encoders/decoders. Successful completion of this unit will facilitate progression to advanced study or to work in the fields of telecommunications and computer engineering. It is assumed that the students have some background in communications principles and probability theory. The following topics are covered: Introduction to error control coding, Linear algebra, Linear block codes, Cyclic codes, BCH codes, Reed-Solomon codes, Applications of block codes in communications, Convolutional codes, Viterbi algorithm, Applications of convolutional codes in communications, Soft decision decoding of block and convolutional codes, LDPC codes, Turbo codes, MIMO and rateless codes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Fundamental mathematics including probability theory and linear algebra. Basic knowledge on digital communications. Basic MATLAB programming skills is desired.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Yonghui Li, yonghui.li@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Yonghui Li, yonghui.li@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Tutorial performance
10% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment group assignment Project
individual assignment + group project with final deliverable in week 12
90% Progressive n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. The final exam has been replaced by project assignment, which includes an individual assignment and group project.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to error control coding Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 02 Binary field, vector space and linear block codes Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Decoding of binary linear block codes Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Cyclic codes Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 BCH codes Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Decoding of BCH codes and Reed-Solomon codes Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Burst error correcting codes and soft decision decoding Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Convolutional codes Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Viterbi decoding of convolutional codes Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Trellis Coded Modulation (TCM) Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Review Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Project presentation Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Students need to attend all class sessions. The attendance will be recorded. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There are no specific prescribed readings for this unit

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate proficiency in knowledge development on the specific topic of error control coding using open literature to keep up to date with new advancements
  • LO2. write reports to communicate complex and often technical information on error control systems, using clear and concise language at a level commensurate with the expected stakeholder knowledge and interest
  • LO3. work in a team by defining clear responsibilities, drawing on the knowledge and skills of others, and showing initiative by contributing constructively towards the delivery of a solution for a specific engineering problem
  • LO4. design and evaluate error control coding schemes using probability theory to the extent of the material presented
  • LO5. demonstrate an understanding of various error control coding techniques and their applications in telecommunication and data storage systems
  • LO6. analyse error control schemes using principles and techniques developed to identify bottlenecks and optimize performance
  • LO7. demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and practical skills in the design of error control encoders and decoders.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

There is no other relevant information for this unit

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit

Work, health and safety

There are no specific work health and safety requirements for this unit

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.