ENEL320-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026

Signals and Communications

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2026
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 26 July 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 27 September 2026

Description

Communication engineering and signal processing. Convolution, Fourier series and transform, amplitude modulation, angle modulation, random processes, noise in modulated systems, discrete signal processing, digital transmission (PCM, TDM and FDM), DTFT/DFT and FIR/IIR filter design.

Signal processing converts data into information. It is an essential component of many things we use/need/want in our daily lives. For example, computers, cell phones, internet, power grid, medical devices etc. Communications spreads that information. 5G, and beyond, communication standards need to be reliable enough for everything from medical applications, vehicle control and sensing, to smart-grid and home automation applications. This requires sophisticated, but computationally efficient signal processing techniques.

In this course, we will show students the fundamentals of both signal processing and communications.

Topics covered include:

• Communication engineering and signal processing
• Convolution and correlation
• Fourier series and transform
• Amplitude modulation
• Angle modulation
• Discrete signals and systems
• Random processes
• Generating digital signals (sampling and quantisation)
• Fourier transform for discrete signals (DTFT/DFT)
• Digital filter (FIR and IIR) design
• Image processing

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course you should be able to:

• LO1: Describe and apply appropriate theories and mathematical techniques for use in analogue and digital signal processing (WA1, WA2)

• LO2: Differentiate types of analogue and digital filters, and apply these filters in signal processing applications (WA2, WA3, WA4, WA11)

• LO3: Process analogue and digital signals using contemporary mathematical techniques and tools for communication and other systems. (WA3, WA4, WA5)

• LO4: Work collaboratively in a team environment (WA8)

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

Employable, innovative and enterprising

Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

Prerequisites

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 11:00 - 12:00 E5 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 12:00 - 13:00 A3 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 10:00 - 12:00 Rehua 102
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Lab A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 12:00 - 14:00 Elec 210 Electronics Lab
7 Sep - 13 Sep
21 Sep - 27 Sep
5 Oct - 11 Oct
02 Wednesday 12:00 - 14:00 Elec 210 Electronics Lab
14 Sep - 20 Sep
28 Sep - 4 Oct
12 Oct - 18 Oct
Lab B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 12:00 - 14:00 Elec 209 CAE Lab (5/8-12/8)
Elec 204 ESL Lab (5/8-12/8)
3 Aug - 16 Aug

Course Coordinator

Romain Arnal

Lecturer

Matthew Kokshoorn

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Labs 5%
Test 40%
Lab Assessment 2 5%
Final Exam 50%

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Reading

B. P. Lathi, Zhi Ding; Modern digital and analog communication systems ; 5th Edition; Oxford University Press, 2019.

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

Artificial Intelligence Tools

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for each of the assessments in ENEL320 is summarised in the Table below. No AI use is allowed in the tests and exam because these are closed-book invigilated assessments. Students are always responsible for the accuracy of the submitted works, regardless of which tools are used.

Assessment Item and Permitted use of AI
AM Lab: Generative AI Tools Are Permitted for Certain Parts of This Assessment
Test: Generative AI tools cannot be used for this assessment.
Assignment: Generative AI Tools Are Permitted for Certain Parts of This Assessment
Exam: Generative AI tools cannot be used for this assessment.

Generative AI Tools Are Permitted for Certain Parts of This Assessment
In these assessments (Lab Report, Assignment), you are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) for the purpose of proof reading and editing the document, and for gathering and summarising knowledge. No other use of generative AI is permitted. To assist with maintaining academic integrity, you must appropriately acknowledge any use of generative AI in your work. Please include a Statement of AI use (if no AI tool has been used, then this must also be stated) and a listing of all prompts provided to the AI tool, clearly indicating which AI tools were used and how they contributed to your assessment.

Assessment and grading system

The examiners will award a failing grade to students who score less than 40% for the Tests and Exam combined. More formally, (TestPercent * 0.4 + ExamPercent * 0.5) / 0.9 must be greater than or equal to 40 for a pass mark to be awarded. This note is put in place to ensure that each student has adequately shown to the examiners they have gained some mastery of the topic.

Assessment Completion
Students must complete and submit the Assignment and Lab Report in order to be eligible to pass the course as defined in the General Conditions for Credit Regulations 3(a) here.


Scaling of marks
In order to maintain consistency across courses and fairness for students, scaling of raw marks occurs. In the Faculty of Engineering, target course GPAs are calculated based on the performance of the cohort of students in their courses in the previous year. Scaling of the raw total course marks is normally performed so that when converted to grades (using UC Grade Scale) the outgoing GPA is in line with the target GPA for a course. Scaling up or down can occur.
The Grading Scale for the University:
https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/study-support-info/study-related-topics/grading-scale

Late submission of work

Lateness Penalties
For the AM Lab and Assignment, a lateness penalty of 10% (in absolute terms) per day or part day late will be deducted from the original mark. For example, an assignment with a nominal mark of 83% submitted 0-24 hours late will receive a mark of 73%, and submitted 24-48 hours late will receive 63%.

Mahi ā-Ākonga | Workload (expected distribution of student hours, note 15 points = 150 hours):

Contact Hours

Lectures: 36 hours
Tutorials: 12 hours
Workshops: 0 hours
Laboratories: 6 hours

Independent study

Review of lectures: 30 hours
Exam preparation: 30 hours
Assignments: 12 hours
Tutorial Preparation: 24 hours

Total 150 hours

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,190.00

International fee $6,488.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Electrical and Computer Engineering .

All ENEL320 Occurrences

  • ENEL320-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026