Integrated Systems Design

Study mode:On campus Study type:Part-time Languages: English
Local:$ 11.4 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 22.9 k / Year(s)  
155 place StudyQA ranking:3389 Duration:24 months

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As the information technology industry evolves, the systems being designed are becoming increasingly complex. The consumer drive is for cheaper information age technology in increasingly smaller physical dimensions. Industry has already acknowledged the fact that no one person is likely to possess the detailed knowledge required in the diverse fields arising in the design of such complex systems for example, Mobile Telephony or MPEG4 for Internet Digital Video.

In direct contrast, it is becoming an unavoidable requirement that research and development engineers possess a sound knowledge and understanding in an increasingly broad technical base for the success of the design initiative in any information technology company. Personnel can develop such skills through experience of design problems in different domains, as they answer questions related to the trade-off between hardware and software implementations and the need to re-use Integrated Circuit Design blocks within their own design histories.

However, information technology changes too rapidly for designers to rely upon gathering these skills in a passive manner. Thus it is difficult for design engineers to keep pace with the new standards for Digital Video and Mobile telephony; for instance. Through consultation with industry, the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department at Trinity College has developed a course proposal that addresses this need.

The course is targeted at employees of IT companies heavily involved with systems design at the chip and general-purpose hardware and software level. The course educates the student in the foundations which drive the development of tools and solutions for the future of integrated systems design. Further, it develops the knowledge and understanding needed to approach the design of modern integrated systems. The goal is to produce an Engineer who can see the broader picture of the system purpose and deploy algorithmic developments at the design level appropriate to the target system. The course has already received capital support from the HEA Skills Initiative.

This course is targeted at employees of I.T. companies principally involved with systems design at the chip and general-purpose hardware and software level. The main aim of the course is to educate students in the foundations that drive the development of tools and solutions for the future of integrated systems design. Furthermore it develops the knowledge and understanding needed to approach the design of modern integrated systems. The goal is to produce engineers who can see the broader picture of the system purpose and deploy algorithmic developments at the design level appropriate to the target system.

In line with the identified needs above the course has the following overall goals;

* To educate the students in the fundamental ideas in Signal Processing and Communications which drive their industry
* To educate the students in new concepts in information technology which influence their work practices and product design e.g. software radio.
* To introduce students to the emerging multimedia data compression standards MPEG4
* To introduce students to the emerging communication standards UMTS
* To give software engineers an understanding of hardware design considerations
* To give hardware designers an understanding of the role of general purpose computing platforms
* To educate the students about the issues involved in hardware/software co-design

Course contact hours will occupy approximately one day in each of 30 weeks in the academic calendar (beginning during October), split into three sets of 10 week terms. There are three subject areas in the first year: digital communications; digital signal and image processing; integrated circuit design. All subjects are compulsory. The second year consists of a taught portion and a substantial individual research project for which the student submits a dissertation (18,000-25,000 words) at the end of the year. The taught portion covers advanced topics in communications; digital video; integrated circuit design.

FIRST YEAR

The first year will consist of 120 hours of lectures, 36 hours of tutorials, and 36 hours of laboratories covering three subject areas:

1. Digital Communications

* 25 Lectures on Digital Communication Systems
* 15 Lectures on Networking

2. Digital Signal and Image Processing

* 13 Foundation Lectures
* 13 Lectures on Processing Random Signals
* 14 Lectures on Digital Image and Video Processing

Integrated Circuit Design [40 Lectures] In the final term there is one week in which the students are divided into groups and work continuously on one major project involving the design of an integrated system. This system design will draw from the three strands of study outlined above. The system being considered is a point-to-point GSM-like radio link implemented using the Bluewave DSP software radio system. The students will explore for themselves, in 5 intensive days, issues such as modulation and coding, detection and maximum likelihood sequence estimation (using the DFE or the VA), and source/channel coding as well as the spectral characteristics, RF issues and basic radio propagation phenomena involved in the transmission of digital video across such a link.

There will be a number of introductory sessions for new students. Discussions with the Library comittee have resulted in the inclusion of an introduction to the use of the library facilities which will be organised through the Library.

SECOND YEAR

The second year proposal consists of two parts:

(1) There is a series of lectures on advanced topics in Communications and Digital Video

(2) the student also undertakes a substantial individual project, the topic to be agreed with industry and the chosen lecturer in the Department on an individual student basis.

The final awarded grade is derived from the mark in the final written exams as well as coursework and the final project report. At the start of the second year, there will be a lecture which will introduce the student to the research method in general, highlighting the resources which should be used and the organisation of the final project report that is required.

1. Advanced Digital Image and Video Processing [10 Hours]

* Tools for understanding and deploying MPEG2/4

2. Digital Communications [10 Hours]

* Tools for understanding and deploying UMTS/UTRA

3. The MPEG4 Standard [20 Hours]

4. The UMTS and UTRA: a detailed case study. [20 Hours]

5. One or more of three special sessions on Advanced IC Design [1 week duration, 30 Hours]

It is proposed that there will be on average one 1.5 hour tutorial per 5 hours of lectures.

Application for admission to the course should be made to the Dean of Graduate Studies, to be received normally not later than 31st March of the proposed year of entry. Late applications will be considered provided places are available. Applications will be considered from those who:(a) hold a good honours degree (at least Upper second Class Level) in a professional (computing/engineering) discipline, or (b) hold an equivalent qualification with relevant professional experience.English language requirements: * IELTS: Grade 6.5 * TOEFL: 88 iBT, 230-computer based, 570 paper based * Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English: Grade C * Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: Grade C English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A)
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