Overview
In this unit, you will gain an understanding of a wide range of communication engineering topics. You will be introduced to the relevant fundamental communication principles, common signal transmission modes and media, signal processing techniques used in communication systems, and various types of communication systems and networks. You will apply mathematical analysis techniques to study different communications systems and their applications. You will study the concepts of data and computer communications and the Internet. You will be introduced to some advanced communication topics such as wireless communications and optical fibre communications. The unit also provides you with opportunities to further develop communication skills through teamwork involving hands-on laboratory work. Furthermore, the unit aims to promote the UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation by developing an understanding of how to build resilient and sustainable communication systems to support industrial innovation.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: (ENEE13018 Analogue Electronics AND ENEE13020 Digital Electronics) OR ENEX12002 Introductory Electronics.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE
Students appreciated the learning provided through the assessments.
This practice should be continued.
Feedback from SUTE
Quizzes contained a few questions with incorrect answers.
Quizzes should be revised to enhance students' learning.
Feedback from SUTE
Tutorial and assignment questions were disconnected from the reading and lecture materials.
The tutorial questions should be revised to show the connection between the lecture material and the tutorials to improve the students' learning.
Feedback from SUTE
Some students have indicated that the feedback could be made more useful for their learning.
The general feedback should be discussed in the class, highlighting common mistakes and key issues. This will help students learn not only from their own errors, but also from those of their peers, fostering a deeper understanding of the content.
- Explain the operation of communication systems using fundamental communication concepts
- Describe amplitude and angle modulation techniques using mathematical methods
- Analyse the operation of communication transmitters and receivers at system and circuit levels
- Application of digital coding techniques, error detection and correction techniques in digital communication
- Describe the operation of computer networks, wireless communication, transmission lines, wave propagation, antennas and fibre optics
- Communicate professionally using appropriate electrical engineering terminology, symbols, and diagrams that conform to Australian and International Standards.
The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards for Professional Engineers in the areas of 1. Knowledge and Skill Base, 2. Engineering Application Ability and 3.
Professional and Personal Attributes at the following levels:
Introductory
1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities, and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline. (LO: 1N 3N 5N )Intermediate
1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline. (LO: 3I 5I ) 3.3 Creative, innovative, and proactive demeanour. (LO: 5I )
Advanced
1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. (LO: 1A 2A)
1.2 Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences that underpin the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 3A 5I)
1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. (LO: 1A 2A 3A 4A 5A) 1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 4A 5A)
2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem-solving. (LO: 3A 5A)
2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools, and resources. (LO: 3A 5A) 2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. (LO: 5A) 3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. (LO: 6A 7I) 3.4 Professional use and management of information. (LO: 2A 4A 5I 6I)
Note: LO refers to the Learning Outcome number(s) which link to the competency and the levels: N – Introductory, I – Intermediate, and A - Advanced.
Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for further information on Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers and course-level mapping informationhttps://moodle.cqu.edu.au/course/view.php?id=1511
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Laboratory/Practical - 30% | ||||||
| 2 - Online Test - 30% | ||||||
| 3 - Project (applied) - 40% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Textbooks
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach
- 1st Edition (2014)
- Authors: Jeffrey S. Beasley, Jonathan D. Hymer, and Gary M. Miller
- Pearson
- ISBN: 9780133109283
Students can purchase both paper and eBook from CQUni Bookshop here:
https://bookshop.cqu.edu.au/details.asp?ITEMNO=9780132988636 (press the Check for eBook link - which takes you to
Vitalsource to purchase)
It is recommended that students obtain a copy of the textbook for regular reading and reference during the study term.Students can purchase both paper and eBook from CQUni Bookshop here:
https://bookshop.cqu.edu.au/details.asp?ITEMNO=9780132988636 (press the Check for eBook link - which takes you to
Vitalsource to purchase)
It is recommended that students obtain a copy of the textbook for regular reading and reference during the study term.
Additional Textbook Information
It is recommended that students obtain a copy of the textbook for regular reading and reference during the study term.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Students will require access to Matlab to complete some assessments.
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.hettiwatte@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Fundamental Communication Concepts
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapter 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Amplitude Modulation
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapter 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Angle Modulation
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapter 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Transmitters
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapter 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Quiz 1 (0%) due this week
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Receivers
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapter 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Digital Communications
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapters 7 and 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Communication Networks
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapter 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Data Communication and the Internet
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapter 11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Quiz 2 (0%) due this week
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
Radio Wave Propagation
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapter 13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Antennas
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapter 14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Wireless Communication Systems
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapter 10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Fiber Optics Communications
Chapter
Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach by Beasley, Hymer and Miller
Chapter 16
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Quiz 3 (0%) due this week
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Laboratory/Practical
The laboratory assessment will be available through the unit Moodle site at the beginning of the term. It will require you to have access to Matlab to perform some of the tasks. The laboratory assessment will enhance your understanding of the fundamental communication technology concepts learnt in the class during the first 4 weeks. The completed laboratory report must be submitted through the unit Moodle site.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION
You may use AI to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.
This assessment is exempted from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed by the stated submission date/time.
Week 5 Thursday (9 Apr 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
We endeavour to return the graded answer scripts through Moodle within two weeks from the closing date of the assessment or the submission date (whichever occurs later)
This assignment will be graded using the following criteria:
1. All steps in your solutions.
2. Correct solutions;
3. Matlab code, where appropriate;
4. Presentation of the report.
5. Summaries or conclusions.
- Explain the operation of communication systems using fundamental communication concepts
- Describe amplitude and angle modulation techniques using mathematical methods
- Analyse the operation of communication transmitters and receivers at system and circuit levels
- Communicate professionally using appropriate electrical engineering terminology, symbols, and diagrams that conform to Australian and International Standards.
2 Online Test
- The online test will assess you on what you have learnt from Week 1 to Week 6.
- It will be held during the class time in Week 7.
- The duration is 2 hours.
- Handwritten solutions on A4 sheets and uploading to the unit Moodle site is required immediately after the test.
The AI Assessment Scale - NO AI
You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
This assessment is exempted from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed by the stated submission date/time.
Week 7 Thursday (30 Apr 2026) 1:30 pm AEST
Online submission through unit Moodle site as a single PDF document.
We endeavour to return the graded answer scripts through Moodle within two weeks from the closing date of the assessment or the submission date (whichever occurs later)
No Assessment Criteria
- Explain the operation of communication systems using fundamental communication concepts
- Describe amplitude and angle modulation techniques using mathematical methods
- Analyse the operation of communication transmitters and receivers at system and circuit levels
- Application of digital coding techniques, error detection and correction techniques in digital communication
3 Project (applied)
Students perform a conceptual design of a communication system/network that meets some specified requirements and report on various aspects of the design including the requirement analysis, technology selection, network topology consideration and practical equipment suggestions.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION
You may use AI to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use.
This assessment is exempted from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed by the stated submission date/time.
Vacation/Exam Week Monday (15 June 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
We endeavour to return the graded answer scripts through Moodle within two weeks from the closing date of the assessment or the submission date (whichever occurs later)
Detailed marking criteria will be provided in the design task description document available on the unit Moodle website. Marks will be awarded for the design that meets the task specifications and the justifications of relevant design selections.
- Application of digital coding techniques, error detection and correction techniques in digital communication
- Describe the operation of computer networks, wireless communication, transmission lines, wave propagation, antennas and fibre optics
- Communicate professionally using appropriate electrical engineering terminology, symbols, and diagrams that conform to Australian and International Standards.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
