BENG503 

Module Name COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKS 
Module Code BENG503 
Level Five 
Credits 15  

Module Description and General Aims 

The objective in presenting this module is to impart to students the fundamental principles of communication systems and networks. The subject matter covered in this module will include: the OSI standard and layered architecture for networking; Five layers in the OSI protocol stack (physical, data link, network, transport and applications); Radio telemetry. The fundamental concepts presented here will be used in a later communication module. 

Learning Outcomes 

On successful completion of this Module, students are expected to be able to: 

  1. Distinguish components of a computer network and the Internet. 
    Bloom’s Level 4 
  1. Describe the OSI layer architecture 
    Bloom’s Level 2 
  1. Select appropriate network technologies for physical and data link layers. 
    Bloom’s Level 5 
  1. Examine principles and operation of network layer protocols. 
    Bloom’s Level 4 
  1. Examine principles of operation of transport layer protocols. 
    Bloom’s Level 4 
  1. Examine principles of operation of application layer protocols. 
    Bloom’s Level 4 
  1. Design a radio telemetry system. 
    Bloom’s Level 6 

Student Assessment 

Assessment Type When assessed Weighting (% of total module marks) Learning Outcomes Assessed 
Assessment 1 Type: Multiple-choice quiz (Invigilated)  Due after Topic 3 10% 1, 2, 3 
Assessment 2 Type: Mid-semester test (Invigilated) Description: Students will need to answer some short and/or long answer questions and/or solve some numerical problems. Due after Topic 5 25% 1, 2, 3, 4 
Assessment 3 Type: Practical Project (Report) Description: Students need to complete this practical project using a software and submit a written report. Due after Topic 9 20% 4, 5, 6 
Assessment 4 Type: Examination (Invigilated) Description: An examination with a mix of MCQs, theoretical short/detailed answer questions and/or numerical problems.  Final Week 40% All 
Tutorial Attendance & Participation            Description: Attendance, presentation, discussion, group work, exercises, self-assessment/reflection, case study analysis, application. Continuous 5% All 

Overall Requirements: Students must achieve a result of 40% or above in the exam itself to pass the exam and must pass the exam to be able to pass the module. An overall final module score of 50% or above must be achieved to pass the module once all assessment, including the exam, has been completed. 

Prescribed and Recommended Readings  

References 

  • J. Kurose and K. Ross, Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, 8th edition, 2021 
  • IDC Technologies, Setting up, Understanding and Troubleshooting of Industrial Ethernet and Automation Networks, IDC Technologies, Perth. 
  • IDC Technologies, Best Practice in Industrial Data Communications, IDC Technologies, Perth. 
  • IDC Technologies, Practical Data Communications & Networking for Engineers and Technicians, IDC Technologies, Perth. 

Notes and Reference texts 

  • IDC notes and Reference texts as advised. 
  • Other material advised during the lectures 

Module Content  

One topic is delivered per contact week.  

Topic 1: Introduction 

  1. Computer Networks and the Internet 
  1. Network Edge: Access Networks, Physical Media 
  1. Network Core: Packet Switching, Circuit Switching 
  1. Protocol Layers, Layered Architecture, and the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model 

Topic 2: Physical layer 

  1. Cable characteristics (noise, grounding, shielding) 
  1. Practical cabling (standards, connectors, grounding, impedance, opto-isolators, termination, and transients) 
  1. Copper cabling (Near End Cross Talk (NEXT) 
  1. Coaxial cables (construction, characteristics) 
  1. Fibre optic (construction, multi-mode, single mode, splicing, connectors, testing, optical time domain reflectometer) 

Topic 3: Data link layer 

  1. Data link layer (PDU, addressing scheme, functions and protocols) 
  1. Switching technologies (address table, Virtual LAN (VLAN), Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), Virtual Private Network (VPN)) 

Topics 4 and 5: Network layer 

  1. Network layer (functions, protocol data unit, addressing scheme) 
  1. IP packets (IPv4 addressing, header, subnet masking, prefix notation, private addresses) 
  1. IPv6 as successor to IPv4 
  1. IP addressing, Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) 
  1. Routing (tables, manual and dynamic convergence) 
  1. Routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, EIGRP) 
  1. Routing tables, default gateways 
  1. Network Address Translation (NAT), Port Forwarding, firewalls 

Topics 6 and 7: Transport Layer 

  1. TCP/IP protocol standard 
  1. Transport layer (protocol data unit, addressing scheme, functions) 
  1. User Datagram Protocol (characteristics, operation) 
  1. Transmission Control Protocol (characteristics, operation) 

Topics 8 and 9: Application Layer 

  1. The Web and HTTP 
  1. Electronic Mail 
  1. Domain Name System (DNS) 
  1. Peer-to-Peer applications 
  1. Video streaming and content distribution networks 

Topics 10 and 11: Radio Telemetry 

  1. Principles of operation: line of sight, repeaters, environmental factors fading 
  1. Infrastructure and architecture: site selection and access, antenna support, loading and torsional stability 

Topic 12: Project and Module Review 

In the final week, students will have an opportunity to review the contents covered so far. Opportunity will be provided for a review of student work and to clarify any outstanding issues. 

Software/Hardware Used 

Software 

  • Software:  
  • Version: N/A 
  • Instructions: N/A 
  • Additional resources or files: N/A 

Hardware 

  • N/A