Electronics: signal processing, control and communications
This module teaches industry-relevant skills in applying analogue and digital electronics to signal processing, control and communications. Signal processing looks at how analogue or digital filters can remove signal noise. Control shows how using feedback and a suitable controller can change the dynamic behaviour of processes (electronic/mechanical or other) to meet a desired criterion. Communication shows how cables and radio waves can communicate data.
What you will study
This module takes the ideas that you know about basic electronic circuits, together with general engineering principles, and looks at three of the main applications of electronics. It comprises three blocks: signal processing, control and communications.
Interactive software and OpenEngineering Laboratory experiments support the course materials in all three blocks. Throughout the module, we use illustrative case studies.
Block 1: Signal processing
The first block introduces you to signal processing. It starts by defining what we mean by noise in a signal, showing how to explain this in the frequency domain. It then shows how we can remove the noise with the use of analogue electronic circuits – called filters. We’ll show you how to design filters to perform specific tasks by using mathematical models. We’ll also give you a refresher on complex numbers. The block ends with a look at digital filters. First, how we can design filters that run on computers and can perform many of the filtering tasks of analogue circuits. Finally, we look at aspects of processing that we can only do with digital signals, such as image processing.
Block 2: Control
This block introduces the idea of control theory. It discusses the basic principle of using feedback, as well as processes’ transient responses. Block 2 extends some of the ideas of mathematical modelling introduced in Block 1, so you can start designing controllers that produce the desired behaviour of a process. You’ll spend some time looking at how to implement controllers electronically in both analogue circuits and as digital algorithms. You’ll then look at some of the ideas of intelligent control, specifically fuzzy logic control and neural networks.
Block 3: Communication
The final block introduces the principles of communication, with emphasis on radio communications. It starts by looking at modulation, and how to encode a message into a radio frequency waveform. It shows the design and implementation of transmission and receiver circuits, and how radio frequency circuits differ from electronic circuits. You’ll consider aspects of both analogue and digital communications and explore the advantages of each. Finally, you’ll look at space communications – the problems that are inherent, together with the solutions.
You will learn
The knowledge and skills developed in this module are applicable in various engineering roles. At the end of it you’ll be able to:
- describe the application of electronic systems in signal processing, control and communications
- search and use relevant journal papers via the library website
- work with signals, including sampling and filtering
- design controllers to achieve a desired dynamic response
- design radio frequency circuits for transmitters and receivers
- work with equipment using the OpenEngineering Laboratory.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements to study this module.
However, we recommend you have one of the following:
- passes in Electronics: sensing, logic and actuation (T212) and Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications (T194)
- engineering knowledge equivalent to OU level 1 and mathematical knowledge to A-level or above; plus a pass in an electronics module from another institution at FHEQ level 5/SCQF level 9
If you’re not sure you’re ready, .
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
- a week-by-week study planner
- course-specific module materials
- audio and video content
- access to interactives, Multisim Live online circuit simulation software and the remote OpenEngineering Laboratory to carry out practical activities
- assessment details and submission section
- online tutorial access.
You’ll also be provided with three printed module books, each covering one block of study and written especially for the module to explain the theory behind signal processing, control and communications. There are also three printed practical activities guides each covering one Block of practical activities.
Computing requirements
You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11), or macOS Ventura or higher.
You&/courses/qualifications/details/t312/39;ll also need control over your internet connection settings – corporate firewalls may prevent access to our Open Engineering Lab.
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
Our module websites comply with web standards and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile App will operate on all current, supported, versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.
It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook, however, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you&/courses/qualifications/details/t312/39;ll also require a desktop or laptop as described above.