MSc Electronic and Electrical Engineering degree

The aims of this module are for the students to understand the options available and the issues related to selection of sensors and actuators for control systems.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the module the students should be able to:
- Explain the key issues related to selection of actuators and sensors as part of a control system
- Describe the range of sensor and actuator types and technologies
- Appraise a range of sensor and actuator types and technologies
- Describe the dynamic properties of commonly used sensors and actuators
- Select a sensor for a given application
- Select and undertake fundamental sizing of an actuator for a given application
- Develop dynamic models of commonly used sensors and actuators
- Propose a closed-loop control solution with sensors and actuators included in the analysis
- Propose redundancy schemes for fault tolerance in sensor and actuator applications
- Contribute to a group presentation
- Write a report in a simple, clear, accurate manner, which incorporates all relevant information and is submitted on the specified deadline
- Develop information search and retrieval skills from all available sources including library, manufacturers, data-bases and internet.

Assessment

100% coursework consisting of:

• Group exercise with presentation
• Report

The aim of this module is to develop the theory and practice of multi/many-core programming in an engineering context.

Intended leaning outcomes

At the end of the module the students should be able to:
- Write, test and document parallel programs written in C language considering different parallel programming libraries and models, highly adopted in high-performance computing (HPC) and embedded systems
- Explain the main challenges inherent to multi/many-core systems
- Demonstrate an ability to write, clear and understandable parallel solutions
- Exploit features of different parallel programming models

At the end of the module students should have a good understanding of tools and parallel programming practices targeting emerging multi/many-core systems and have hands-on experience in Pthreads and OpenMP programming.

Assessment

100% coursework consisting of:

• Lab-based project 1 (40%)
• Lab-based project 2 (60%)

The aims of this module are to: (a) provide an understanding of advanced electronic engineering applications and (b) provide insight into the practicalities of biomedical and ultrasonic systems.

Intended learning outcomes 

On completion of the module students should be able to:
- Understand the key issues related to selection of transducer drivers in electronic systems
- Explain the factors which affect measurements and signals within real environments
- Manipulate measurement and signal data
- Understand the principles and arrangement of transducer/sensor drivers in electronic systems
- Understand the properties of commonly used optical, electrical and acoustic sensor drivers
- Compare the properties of commonly used optical, electrical and acoustic sensor drivers
- Distinguish between signal processing methods and how these can be implemented in engineering applications
- Select an acoustic, electric or optical sensor driver for a given application
- Undertake fundamental circuit design of a sensor driver for a given application
- Develop engineering dynamic models of commonly used sensor drivers
- Propose an engineering solution together with the selection of sensor driver and associated signal processing methods for biomedical monitoring
- Work effectively as part of a group to produce an oral presentation
- Communicate complex ideas in a coherent written format
- Evaluate current research in electronic engineering applications.

Assessment 

• Coursework (45%)
• Exam (55%)

The aims of this module are to give postgraduate students the experience of a substantial, individual research project an areas covered by one of the MSc programmes from the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and to do this in a manner which illustrates insight into, and training of, appropriate research methods.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the module students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the relevant area
- Critically evaluate existing methodologies and propose new one as appropriate
- Critically review current research in the project area
- Evaluate complex and possibly conflicting issues in the project area
- Critically analyse experimental or simulated data
- Maintain an informed approach to the interpretation of data
- Present data in a manner to elucidate an argument
- Draw appropriate conclusions from current research and data obtained
- Assess risks and take appropriate initiatives in risk management
- Use a range of established research tools, techniques and equipment, and/or software as appropriate to the particular individual project
- Communicate complex ideas effectively, both orally and written
- Demonstrate the independent learning ability necessary for continuing professional development
- Analyse problems and formulate solutions
- Demonstrate self-discipline and self-motivation.

Assessment 

100% coursework consisting of:

• Intermediate Progress Report (10%)
• Application and Effort (20%)
• Final Report (35%)
• Viva-Voce Examination (35%)

To develop critical understanding of the fundamentals of digital signal processing, as applied to numerous and commonplace digital systems, with the use of computer simulation based tools.

Intended learning outcomes

At the end of the module students will be able to:
- Explain sampling theorem and the consequences of aliasing and quantisation distortion
- Explain z-transform and Fourier transform and their properties; and relate them to the impulse response and transfer function of a digital filter
- Evaluate critically different structures available for the realisation of finite impulse response (FIR) and infinite impulse response (IIR) digital filters
- Describe ideal filter approximation functions, and the basics of real-time processing
- Critically analyse various signal processing methodologies including the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and its fast form (FFT) to perform signal analysis, explain their limitations and propose new approaches
- Design linear phase FIR and IIR filters to meet prescribed specifications
- Develop codes in TI 6713 environment
- Solve complex numerical problems.

Assessment

• Digital filter design (15%)
• General DSP (15%)
• Examination (70%)

The aim of this module is to develop understanding of the principles of networked digital communications.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the module students should be able to:
- Explain the theory and methodologies used in modern computer networks
- Analyse the behaviours of computer network protocols
- Calculate delay across a network
- Evaluate the transmission efficiency
- Use a network analyser and evaluate real-time performance of a working network
- Communicate effectively through report writing.

Assessment

• Coursework (30%)
• Examination (70%)

The aim of this module is to introduce the facts governing the nature, availability and characteristics of the solar resources and the fundamental concepts of photovoltaics and solar thermal conversion. The conversion technologies are examined critically in terms of design, efficiency, manufacturing options and costs.

Intended learning outcomes 

On completion of the module students should be able to:
- Identify the characteristics of the solar resource and its variability in the context of solar energy systems
- Explain the design principles and components used in photovoltaic systems
- Describe the principles, design and manufacturing concepts behind common semiconductor photovoltaic devices
- Describe the operational principles of flat plate solar thermal collectors
- Explain the principles behind passive solar in buildings
- Explain the fundamental processes taking place in a photovoltaic device
- Assess and describe the solar resource at a specified location given appropriate data
- Differentiate between different semiconductor photovoltaic devices according to performance characteristics
- Calculate the overall performance of solar thermal collectors, including analysis of the radiation gain and heat loss of different designs
- Generate and analyse output performance predictions on various PV system technologies
- Analyse the effects of passive solar elements on buildings
- Design photovoltaic and solar thermal systems for optimal energy conversion at a given location and applications
- Measure, analyse and evaluate the electrical characteristics of a photovoltaic device under different operating conditions
- Analyse experimental data
- Solve subject specific numerical and conceptual problems.

Assessment 

• Coursework (15%)
• Examination (85%)

The aim of this module is to introduce wind power and the fundamental concepts of wind turbine design including aerodynamics, structure and control. The economic, technical, institutional and environmental aspects of onshore and offshore wind farm development are also considered.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the module students should be able to:
- Describe the physical characteristics of the wind
- Explain how a wind resource estimate is made
- Describe the principles, electrical, operational and control characteristics of a wind turbine
- Describe the design challenges associated with wind turbines
- Explain the fundamental principles of wind turbine aerodynamics and thus how a wind turbine produces power from the wind
- Explain the fundamental principles of wind turbine control and thus how a wind turbine is controlled
- Describe the wind turbine blade design process
- Describe the challenges associated with siting wind turbines onshore and offshore
- Mathematically analyse the performance of wind turbines
- Use modelled or real data from given sites at a sufficient level to make general predictions of turbine output
- Estimate the wind turbine performances
- Calculate the cost of energy of a wind turbine
- Use relevant software packages
- Analyse experimental data
- Solve complex, subject specific numerical and conceptual problems
- Work as part of a team
- Write a technical report.

Assessment

• Coursework (15%)
• Examination (85%)

To develop knowledge and critical understanding in the theory and implementation of digital signal processing, for software defined radio.

Intended learning outcomes 

On completion of the module students should be able to:
- Explain software defined radio principles and their implementations in modern communications systems
- Explore and analyse key digital signal processing algorithms for software defined radio
- Implement digital signal processing techniques in software defined radio systems in Matlab
- Generate effectively through report writing
- Analyse and solve subject specific problems
- Communicate effectively through report writing.

Assessment 

• Coursework (30%)
• Examination (70%)

The aims of this module are to: (a) introduce students to the principals and practicalities of mobile telecommunication systems and prepare the students for future employment in telecommunications industry at an advanced technical level; (b) introduce the constraints and suggest ways that these constraints are countered and (c) present mobile network technology evolution and introduce students to the state-of-the-art mobile telecommunication technologies.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the module students should be able to:
- Demonstrate their understanding of mobile network technologies, their operations, networks architectures, multiple access techniques, radio resource management methods
- Recognize the complexities and identify issues associated with mobile communication systems
- Compare various mobile network technologies (2G/3G/4G) and critically analyse their suitability for different applications as well as their associated limitations
- Design multiple access techniques and radio resource management algorithms
- Analyse network design problems with reference to infrastructure, network capacity, security and geographical location
- Manage time effectively
- Work independently and also collaboratively in a group
- Apply their knowledge about mobile network technology when working in industry
- Practise social implications of the mobile communications industry
- Present themselves competitively to R&D jobs in the telecommunications sector.

Assessment 

100% Examination 

This module aims to provide an overview of the basic theory and the techniques involved in pulsed power systems used in many modern and important engineering applications.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the module students should understand:
- How various pulsed power generators function
- How fast transient sensors are constructed and appreciate their correct usage in electrical engineering applications and experimentation

On completion of the module students should be able to:
- Analyse transient electrical systems and to select the correct instrumentation for use in measuring the effective parameters of the system
- Analyse a new application and to select the correct sensors for the safe and accurate recording of signals on expensive fast digital recording equipment
- Gain experience in the use of systematic approaches in estimating the required performances of a pulsed generator and sensor and the principal methods of analysing and interpreting the recorded data provided by the sensor.

Assessment 

100% coursework consisting of:

• Exercise 1 (40%)
• Exercise 2 (60%)

The aims of this module are to enhance the understanding of the principles of Radio Frequency (RF) and Microwave Integrated Circuit/System Design using CAD software simulation tools and measurement techniques.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this module students should be able to:
- Describe design considerations of RF components and circuits
- Provide design information in the form of EM equivalent circuits, equations, tabular data and graphs
- Identify and design practical RF and microwave circuits
- Apply RF and microwave circuit principles and analysis
- Predict operational characteristics of RF and microwave circuits using CAD software
- Analyse theoretical and measured data
- Evaluate errors and uncertainties
- Calculate losses and mismatch uncertainty
- Derive S-parameters and impedance measurements
- Derive lumped-element equivalent circuit (EC) models
- Compare equivalent circuit (EC) and electromagnetic (EM) models
- Use CAD tools to design practical RF and microwave circuits
- Produce optimised printed circuit board designs
- Use laboratory measuring equipment and evaluate hardware performance
- Apply systematic approach to RF and Microwave Integrated Circuit design
- Use CAD to analyse RF circuit problems
- Solve numerical problems
- Disseminate technical data.

Assessment

• Coursework (20%)
• Examination (80%)