Engineering Institute of Technology
Unit Name | COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND PROTOCOLS |
Unit Code | BIA 301S |
Unit Duration | Term |
Award | Bachelor of Science (Industrial Automation Engineering)
Duration 3 years |
Year Level | Three |
Unit Creator/Reviewer |
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Core/Sub-discipline | Sub-discipline |
Pre/Co-requisites | BIA206S |
Credit Points | 3
Total Program Credit Points 81 (27 x 3) |
Mode of Delivery | Online or On-campus |
Unit Workload | (Total student workload including “contact hours” = 10 hours per week) Pre-recordings / Lecture – 1.5 hours Tutorial – 1.5 hours Guided labs / Group work / Assessments – 2 hours Personal Study recommended - 5 hours |
Unit Description and General Aims
The objective in presenting this unit is to provide students with detailed knowledge of communication systems particularly in regard to industrial automation systems , with a focus on the ubiquitous Ethernet and TCP/IP. The subject matter covered in this unit is intended to give students a thorough and systematic overview of communication technologies, devices, and protocols, allowing them to know not only how these systems work, but also be aware of how they are designed, in order to ensure reliable, safe, and secure implementation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this Unit, students are expected to be able to:
Describe the OSI model and the TCP/IP implementation protocol stack.
Compare the protocol data units, addressing schemes, functions and protocols of each layer.
Classify and describe the principles of operation of switches, routers, and firewalls in the context of the OSI model.
Solve, design, and develop a switch network for a given case study.
Design and develop a routed network for a given case study.
Design a secure network using security protocols, devices, and best practice standards.
Professional Development
Completing this unit may add to students professional development/competencies by:
Fostering personal and professional skills and attributes in order to:
Conduct work in a professionally diligent, accountable and ethical manner.
Effectively use oral and written communication in personal and professional domains.
Foster applicable creative thinking, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Develop initiative and engagement in lifelong learning and professional development.
Enhance collaboration outcomes and performance in dynamic team roles.
Effectively plan, organise, self-manage and manage others.
Professionally utilise and manage information.
Enhance technologist literacy and apply contextualised technologist skills.
Enhance investigatory and research capabilities in order to:
Develop an understanding of systematic, fundamental scientific, mathematic principles, numerical analysis techniques and statistics applicable to technologists.
Access, evaluate and analyse information on technologist processes, procedures, investigations and the discernment of technologist knowledge development.
Foster an in-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge, computer science, engineering design practice and contextual factors applicable to technologists.
Solve basic and open-ended engineering technologist problems.
Understand the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds associated with sustainable engineering practice.
Develop engineering application abilities in order to:
Apply established engineering methods to broadly-defined technologist problem solving.
Apply engineering technologist techniques, tool and resources.
Apply systematic technologist synthesis and design processes.
Systematically conduct and manage technologist projects, work assignments, testing and experimentation.
Engineers Australia
The Australian Engineering Stage 1 Competency Standards for Engineering Technologists, approved as of 2013. This table is referenced in the mapping of graduate attributes to learning outcomes and via the learning outcomes to student assessment.
Stage 1 Competencies and Elements of Competency | |
1. | Knowledge and Skill Base |
1.1 | Systematic, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the technology domain. |
1.2 | Conceptual understanding of the, mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the technology domain. |
1.3 | In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the technology domain. |
1.4 | Discernment of knowledge development within the technology domain. |
1.5 | Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the technology domain. |
1.6 | Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the technology domain. |
2. | Engineering Application Ability |
2.1 | Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain. |
2.2 | Application of engineering techniques, tools and resources within the technology domain. |
2.3 | Application of systematic synthesis and design processes within the technology domain. |
2.4 | Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of projects within the technology domain. |
3. | Professional and Personal Attributes |
3.1 | Ethical conduct and professional accountability. |
3.2 | Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. |
3.3 | Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour. |
3.4 | Professional use and management of information. |
3.5 | Orderly management of self and professional conduct. |
3.6 | Effective team membership and team leadership. |
Graduate Attributes
Successfully completing this Unit will contribute to the recognition of attainment of the following graduate attributes aligned to the AQF Level 7 criteria, Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards for Engineering Technologists and the Sydney Accord:
Graduate Attributes (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Professional and Personal Development) | EA Stage 1 Competencies | Learning Outcomes |
A. Knowledge of Science and Engineering Fundamentals | ||
A1. Breadth of knowledge of engineering and systematic, theory-based understanding of underlying principles, and depth of knowledge across one or more engineering sub- disciplines |
1.1, 1.3 |
1, 2, 3 |
A2. Knowledge of mathematical, statistical and computer sciences appropriate for engineering technology |
1.2 |
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A3. Discernment of knowledge development within the technology domain | 1.4 | 1 |
A4. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the technology domain |
1.5 |
4, 5, 6 |
B. Problem Solving, Critical Analysis and Judgement | ||
B1. Ability to research, synthesise, evaluate and innovatively apply theoretical concepts, knowledge and approaches across diverse engineering technology contexts to effectively solve engineering problems |
1.4, 2.1, 2.3 |
4 |
B2. Technical and project management skills to design complex systems and solutions in line with developments in engineering technology professional practice |
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.2 |
6 |
C. Effective Communication | ||
C1. Cognitive and technical skills to investigate, analyse and organise information and ideas and to communicate those ideas clearly and fluently, in both written and spoken forms appropriate to the audience |
3.2 |
4 |
C2. Ability to engage effectively and appropriately across a diverse range of cultures | 3.2 |
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D. Design and Project Management | ||
D1. Apply systematic synthesis and design processes within the technology domain | 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 | 4, 6 |
D2. Apply systematic approaches to the conduct and management of projects within the technology domain |
2.4 |
4 |
E. Accountability, Professional and Ethical Conduct | ||
E1. Innovation in applying engineering technology, having regard to ethics and impacts including economic; social; environmental and sustainability |
1.6, 3.1, 3.4 |
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E2. Professional conduct, understanding and accountability in professional practice across diverse circumstances including team work, leadership and independent work |
3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 |
4, 5, 6 |
Unit Competency and Learning Outcome Map
This table details the mapping of the unit graduate attributes to the unit learning outcomes and the Australian Engineering Stage 1 Competency Standards for the Engineering Technologist.
| Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||||
A1 | A2 | A3 | A4 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 | D1 | D2 | E1 | E2 | ||
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards for Engineering Technologist | 1.1 | |
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Unit Learning Outcomes | LO1 | |
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Student assessment
Assessment Type | When assessed | Weighting (% of total unit marks) | Learning Outcomes Assessed |
Assessment 1 Type: Multi-choice test / Group work / Short answer questions / Practical / Remote Lab / Simulation Example Topic: Communication system principles. Students may complete a quiz with MCQ type answers and solve some simple equations to demonstrate a good understanding of the fundamental concepts |
Week 3 |
15% |
1, 2 |
Assessment 2 Type: Multi-choice test / Group work / Short answer questions / Practical / Remote Lab / Simulation Example Topic: Simulation - design a network systems including connectivity (cable and/or wireless), switching, and routing. The design must incorporate a dynamic routing protocol. The design must also include multiple switches and at least one router. Students may provide solutions to simple problems on the listed topics |
Week 6 |
20% |
3, 4, 5 |
Assessment 3 Type: Multi-choice test / Group work / Short answer questions / Practical / Remote Lab / Simulation / Project / Report Example Topic: Design a secure network system (AAA, ID, VPN). Students will harden the network by employing security protocols and devices. Students may complete a quiz with MCQ type answers or solve some simple problems or using software to complete a practical. |
Week 9 |
20% |
6 |
Assessment 4 Type: Examination Example Topic: All topics An examination with a mix of detailed report type questions and/or simple numerical problems to be completed in 3 hours |
Final Week |
40% |
1 to 6 |
Attendance / Tutorial Participation Example: Presentation, discussion, group work, exercises, self-assessment/reflection, case study analysis, application. |
Continuous |
5% |
1 to 6 |
Prescribed and Recommended Readings
Textbook
N/a
Reference
Parziale, L, Britt, DT, Davis, C, Forrester, J, Liu, W, Matthews, C, Rosselot, N 2007, TCP/IP Tutorial andTechnical Overview, 8th edn, IBM Redbooks, ISBN 0738494682. Online version available at:
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/gg243376.pdf
Dietrich, R 2004, Industrial Ethernet - From the Office to the Machine - World Wide, HARTING Electric GmbH & Co. Online version available at: http://www.harting.com/fileadmin/harting/documents/lg/hartingusa/news/hotlink/harting_indus trial_ethernet_handbook.pdf
Journal, website
N/a
Notes and Reference texts
IDC notes and Reference texts as advised. Other material advised during the lectures Knovel library: http://app.knovel.com
Unit Content
One topic is delivered per contact week, with the exception of part-time 24-week units, where one topic is delivered every two weeks.
Topic 1
OSI Model and the TCP/IP protocol suite
The Open System Interconnection (OSI) model
The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP protocol suite)
Protocol data units (PDUs), addressing schemes, TCP/IP layers functions and protocols
Topics 2 and 3
Physical and Data link layers
Physical layer (functions, media (cable and wireless) encoding protocols)
Fiber optic (construction characteristics)
Data link layer (PDU, addressing scheme, functions and protocols)
Switching technology (address table, Virtual LAN (VLAN))
Wireless technologies
Topics 4 and 5
Network layer
Network layer (functions, protocol data unit, addressing scheme)
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
IP packets (IPv4 addressing, header, subnet masking, prefix notation, private addresses)
IP addressing, Address Resolution Protocol, Internet Control Message Protocol
Routing (tables, manual and dynamic convergence)
Routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, EIGRP)
Routing tables, default gateways
Security – Network Address Translation (NAT), Port Forwarding, firewalls
Topics 6 and 7
Transport Layer and Firewalls
Transport layer (protocol data unit, addressing scheme, functions)
UDP and TCP (characteristics and applications)
Access Control Lists
Firewalls (security threats, firewall principles and applications)
Functional design specification (key elements and their impact on the project)
Topics 8, 9, and 10
Security
Security Principles (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)
Cryptosystems (hash functions, authentication, encryption)
Authentication, Authorization, Accounting (AAA)
Intrusion Detection (characteristics, types, attack responses)
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Wireless security
Security planning, implementation, and documentation
Topic 11
Secure SCADA systems
International standards and best practices.
Evaluation, audit checks, surveys, ‘red’ teams
Risk management, strategies, defense-in-depth
Topic 12
Unit Review
In the final week students will have an opportunity to review the contents covered so far. Opportunity will be provided for a review of student work and to clarify any outstanding issues. Instructors/facilitators may choose to cover a specialized topic if applicable to that cohort.