Last modified: 22 Jul 2026 13:43
A short course teaching fundamentals of digital communications engineering. The course focuses on remote control of equipment. It starts with asynchronous data, and use with a GPS device (to identify location and time), then studies the Digital Multiplex (DMX) control bus (a standard in the live entertainment industry) followed by the bi-directional Remote Device Management (RDM) protocol. It concludes with the synchronous the Controller Area Network (CAN) for industrial/transport applications.
Teaching will be supported by demonstrations of equipment and practical laboratory exercises. Accessible to students of computer science and electrical/electronic engineering.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 10 credits (5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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By the
end of the course students should:
A: have knowledge and understanding of: wireline transmission of digital data
using time division multiplexing and control busses packet-based multiplexing
and data transmission. Understanding of how microprocessors can be used to
control real-world equipment.
B: have gained intellectual skills so that they are able to: understand the
application and importance of digital communications techniques (especially
point-to-multipoint transmission).
C: have gained practical skills so that they are able to: understand tools for
examining digital transmission waveforms and use of typical equipment for
remote control.
D: have gained or improved transferable skills so that they are able to:
present the results of lab analysis.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Students can receive feedback on their progress with the Course on request at the tutorial/feedback sessions and at the design lab sessions. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 70 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Students requesting individual feedback on their exam performance should make an appointment within 3 weeks of the publication of the exam results. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 90 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Remember | ILO’s for this course are available in the course guide. |
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