MSc — 2025 entry Intelligent Communication Systems and Networks

Expected prior/parallel learning: Basic knowledge of hardware systems and module EEE2047 (Object-Oriented Programming and C++) or equivalent knowledge of C++ or Java programming. Module purpose:  Advances related to energy efficiency issues and cost reductions have resulted in the rapid growth and deployment of networked devices and sensing/actuation systems that connect the physical world with the cyber world. The resulting framework, known as the Internet of Things (IoT), incorporates several technologies, including wireless sensor networks, pervasive systems, ambient intelligence, context awareness, and distributed systems. The advanced IoT module is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how machine communications contribute to creating smart, artificial intelligence-driven environments focusing on networking and communication systems. The module provides an overview of the key concepts and enabling technologies for the Internet of Things. It encompasses a cross-layer approach, allowing students to explore the practical aspects of sensors, actuators, and mainly communication systems for IoT across physical, media access, and network layers. This includes security considerations, satellite IoT, positioning and tracking for industrial applications, IoT Platforms (Hardware, Software), protocols and standards (e.g. 6LowPAN, ZigBee, CoAp), semantic technologies, and data and information processing mechanisms. Â Also, the module seamlessly integrates cutting-edge machine learning techniques tailored for IoT applications, ensuring optimal performance and adaptability.  

Expected prior / parallel learning: We expect you to ideally have some background in arithmetic, algebra, complex numbers, integration, and differentiation to follow this module.  Besides, you will find it helpful to have some knowledge about linear systems, linear algebra and stochastic processes for following. Module purpose:   This module focuses on some of the fundamental mathematical concepts used in the analysis and design of modern digital communications systems and examines their application to link-level communications and receiver designs.   Related modules: EEEM017 - Fundamentals of Mobile Communications: EEEM062 is complementary with EEEM017, since EEEM017 covers other fundamental aspects of communication system design like data rate and some system level aspects, e.g. resource allocation. Mathematics taught in EEEM062, i.e. probability, is useful to understand the theory behind data rate taught in EEEM017. EEEM018 - Advanced Mobile Communication Systems: EEEM062 provides link level knowledge of communication systems that complements well with the system level knowledge taught in EEEM018. EEEM061 - Advanced 5G Wireless Technologies. Mathematics taught in EEEM062, i.e. linear algebra and matrix, is useful to understand the theory behind massive multiple-input multiple output communication systems (part of 5G system) taught in EEEM061. Similarly, Fourier analysis taught in EEEM062, is useful to understand the theory behind orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (part of 5G system) taught in EEEM061. EEE1032 - Mathematics II: Engineering mathematics and EEE2035 - Engineering mathematics III: Some of the mathematic topics covered in 1st and 2nd years (e.g. Fourier analysis, Probability, Algebra) are similar to some of those taught in EEEM062, but these topics are specially adapted to communications in EEEM062 to provide a level-playing field for students joining us at MSc level and who have not necessarily already acquired this background knowledge in their previous studies.

IMPORTANT: The second assessment pattern is only applicable to the MSc Short Course Students Expected prior learning: EEE3033 – RF and Microwave Fundamentals, or equivalent learning. Module purpose: Advanced communications systems and radar operate at RF and microwave frequencies. The design principles and circuit operation, underlying these systems, are quite different from those of electronics used in signal processing at baseband frequencies. This module will cover the key elements of RF and microwave system design as well as analysis concepts for a range of commonly used active circuits, including: oscillators, frequency synthesisers, amplifiers and mixers. The module will also cover the circuit design and operation of non-linear devices used in active circuits together with deployment considerations. This module will include and build on many of the concepts studied in EEE3033 RF and Microwave Fundamentals and address further advanced features of non linear RF devices and system optimisation. It is complementary to EEEM064 Microwave Design Techniques and also EEEM006 Antennas and Propagation.

This module teaches cloud computing concepts and the security of the cloud platform to enable students to understand how to secure workloads on cloud. The topics including basic concepts and the core security services needed to secure workloads and the processing of sensitive data. To re-enforce learning, the module will require students to work in teams to configure the cloud platform using infrastructure automation.

The module introduces general information and network security principles, challenges and goals and then focuses on main security mechanisms and protocols for protecting network communication across different layers of the Internet protocol stack. This will include discussion on various attacks on the networks, penetration testing tools and possible countermeasures to ensure protection of authentication, confidentiality and end-to-end security of communications. In labs students will be able to practice experience with various network security protocols and tools.

IMPORTANT: The second assessment pattern is only applicable to the MSc Short Course Students Expected prior learning: None. Module purpose: Antennas and the propagation of radio on the physical layer (PHY) are a fundamental aspect of communications, space and radar as well as any other device that will radiate electromagnetic waves over an air interface. In order for wireless devices to operate and comply with suitable standards, it is important that they use a suitable antenna design, while also modelling the propagation environment the device may encounter is important for purposes of testing the radio transceiver, thus knowledge of propagation modelling is required to achieve this.  

Expected prior learning: Module EEE2040 – Communications Networks or equivalent learning. Module purpose: The Internet is an important worldwide communications system; the module provides an in-depth treatment of current and evolving Internet protocols and standards, and the algorithms that underlie them. The module also permits further study on networking in modules such as EEEM018 Advanced Mobile Communication Systems, EEEM023 Network Service management and Control, EEEM032 Advanced Satellite Communication Techniques

Expected prior/parallel learning: It is helpful but not essential to have knowledge of linear algebra, probabilities and stochastic processes as well as fundamental skills in computer programming and have studied EEEM017 - Fundamentals of Mobile Communications, EEE3006 Digital Communications and EEEM062 – Applied Mathematics for Communication Systems.   Module purpose:  The purpose of this module is to provide students with knowledge related to some of the key, advanced concepts adopted in the current generation of mobile and wireless communications systems (e.g., 5G), as well as to advanced concepts that have a strong potential to shape the future generations of mobile systems (e.g., 6G). This will ensure that the students completing this module will have the necessary knowledge and ability for starting to work on the 5G technology in industry or furthering their understanding via a research degree. This module brings together knowledge that students may have acquired in other modules (EEEM017 - Fundamentals of Mobile Communications, EEE3006 Digital Communications and EEEM062 – Applied Mathematics for Communication Systems) and assists in making cognitive and conceptual connections between this previously taught fundamental knowledge in wireless communications, and the corresponding state-of-the-art techniques.  

IMPORTANT: The second assessment pattern is only applicable to the MSc Short Course Students Expected prior learning: EEE3033 – RF and Microwave Fundamentals, or equivalent learning. Module purpose: Advanced communications systems and radar operate at RF and microwave frequencies. The design principles and circuit operation, underlying these systems, are quite different from those of electronics used in signal processing at baseband frequencies. This module will cover the key elements of RF and microwave system design as well as analysis concepts for a range of commonly used active circuits, including: oscillators, frequency synthesisers, amplifiers and mixers. The module will also cover the circuit design and operation of non-linear devices used in active circuits together with deployment considerations. This module will include and build on many of the concepts studied in EEE3033 RF and Microwave Fundamentals and address further advanced features of non linear RF devices and system optimisation. It is complementary to EEEM064 Microwave Design Techniques and also EEEM006 Antennas and Propagation.

Expected prior/parallel learning: Basic knowledge of hardware systems and module EEE2047 (Object-Oriented Programming and C++) or equivalent knowledge of C++ or Java programming. Module purpose:  Advances related to energy efficiency issues and cost reductions have resulted in the rapid growth and deployment of networked devices and sensing/actuation systems that connect the physical world with the cyber world. The resulting framework, known as the Internet of Things (IoT), incorporates several technologies, including wireless sensor networks, pervasive systems, ambient intelligence, context awareness, and distributed systems. The advanced IoT module is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how machine communications contribute to creating smart, artificial intelligence-driven environments focusing on networking and communication systems. The module provides an overview of the key concepts and enabling technologies for the Internet of Things. It encompasses a cross-layer approach, allowing students to explore the practical aspects of sensors, actuators, and mainly communication systems for IoT across physical, media access, and network layers. This includes security considerations, satellite IoT, positioning and tracking for industrial applications, IoT Platforms (Hardware, Software), protocols and standards (e.g. 6LowPAN, ZigBee, CoAp), semantic technologies, and data and information processing mechanisms. Â Also, the module seamlessly integrates cutting-edge machine learning techniques tailored for IoT applications, ensuring optimal performance and adaptability.  

Expected prior / parallel learning: We expect you to ideally have some background in arithmetic, algebra, complex numbers, integration, and differentiation to follow this module.  Besides, you will find it helpful to have some knowledge about linear systems, linear algebra and stochastic processes for following. Module purpose:   This module focuses on some of the fundamental mathematical concepts used in the analysis and design of modern digital communications systems and examines their application to link-level communications and receiver designs.   Related modules: EEEM017 - Fundamentals of Mobile Communications: EEEM062 is complementary with EEEM017, since EEEM017 covers other fundamental aspects of communication system design like data rate and some system level aspects, e.g. resource allocation. Mathematics taught in EEEM062, i.e. probability, is useful to understand the theory behind data rate taught in EEEM017. EEEM018 - Advanced Mobile Communication Systems: EEEM062 provides link level knowledge of communication systems that complements well with the system level knowledge taught in EEEM018. EEEM061 - Advanced 5G Wireless Technologies. Mathematics taught in EEEM062, i.e. linear algebra and matrix, is useful to understand the theory behind massive multiple-input multiple output communication systems (part of 5G system) taught in EEEM061. Similarly, Fourier analysis taught in EEEM062, is useful to understand the theory behind orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (part of 5G system) taught in EEEM061. EEE1032 - Mathematics II: Engineering mathematics and EEE2035 - Engineering mathematics III: Some of the mathematic topics covered in 1st and 2nd years (e.g. Fourier analysis, Probability, Algebra) are similar to some of those taught in EEEM062, but these topics are specially adapted to communications in EEEM062 to provide a level-playing field for students joining us at MSc level and who have not necessarily already acquired this background knowledge in their previous studies.

The module introduces general information and network security principles, challenges and goals and then focuses on main security mechanisms and protocols for protecting network communication across different layers of the Internet protocol stack. This will include discussion on various attacks on the networks, penetration testing tools and possible countermeasures to ensure protection of authentication, confidentiality and end-to-end security of communications. In labs students will be able to practice experience with various network security protocols and tools.

IMPORTANT: The second assessment pattern is only applicable to the MSc Short Course Students Expected prior learning: None. Module purpose: Antennas and the propagation of radio on the physical layer (PHY) are a fundamental aspect of communications, space and radar as well as any other device that will radiate electromagnetic waves over an air interface. In order for wireless devices to operate and comply with suitable standards, it is important that they use a suitable antenna design, while also modelling the propagation environment the device may encounter is important for purposes of testing the radio transceiver, thus knowledge of propagation modelling is required to achieve this.  

Expected prior/parallel learning: It is helpful but not essential to have knowledge of linear algebra, probabilities and stochastic processes as well as fundamental skills in computer programming and have studied EEEM017 - Fundamentals of Mobile Communications, EEE3006 Digital Communications and EEEM062 – Applied Mathematics for Communication Systems.   Module purpose:  The purpose of this module is to provide students with knowledge related to some of the key, advanced concepts adopted in the current generation of mobile and wireless communications systems (e.g., 5G), as well as to advanced concepts that have a strong potential to shape the future generations of mobile systems (e.g., 6G). This will ensure that the students completing this module will have the necessary knowledge and ability for starting to work on the 5G technology in industry or furthering their understanding via a research degree. This module brings together knowledge that students may have acquired in other modules (EEEM017 - Fundamentals of Mobile Communications, EEE3006 Digital Communications and EEEM062 – Applied Mathematics for Communication Systems) and assists in making cognitive and conceptual connections between this previously taught fundamental knowledge in wireless communications, and the corresponding state-of-the-art techniques.  

This module teaches cloud computing concepts and the security of the cloud platform to enable students to understand how to secure workloads on cloud. The topics including basic concepts and the core security services needed to secure workloads and the processing of sensitive data. To re-enforce learning, the module will require students to work in teams to configure the cloud platform using infrastructure automation.

Expected prior learning: Module EEE2040 – Communications Networks or equivalent learning. Module purpose: The Internet is an important worldwide communications system; the module provides an in-depth treatment of current and evolving Internet protocols and standards, and the algorithms that underlie them. The module also permits further study on networking in modules such as EEEM018 Advanced Mobile Communication Systems, EEEM023 Network Service management and Control, EEEM032 Advanced Satellite Communication Techniques