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ELEC4844 – Signal Processing for Software Defined Radio

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Yiqing Lu
yiqing.lu@mq.edu.au
9WW 2111
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(ELEC2040 and 200cp at 1000 level or above) or Admission to MEngElecEng
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ELEC8844
Unit description Unit description

This unit aims to provide students with the theory and hands-on experience in designing and implementing digital signal processing algorithms using software defined radio technology. The unit builds on previous knowledge and skills in signals and systems, and provides an additional foundation in Digital Signal Processing. The unit introduces the software defined radio concept along with various software defined radio architectures and platforms. Topics covered include: sampling and quantisation, low-pass representation of bandpass systems, quadrature-signal representation, frequency translation, sample rate conversion, decimation and interpolation, direct and polyphase interpolator and decimator architectures, half-band FIR filters, digital up and down converters, matched filters and the software defined radio architectures and platforms. The unit culminates in a project where students develop a software defined radio technology-based solution from high-level functional specifications through to design, implementation and testing on real hardware.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Describe what a software defined radio platform is and its constituent functional components.
  • ULO2: Convey the advantages and limitations of various software-defined-radio-specific digital signal processing algorithms and their efficient implementations.
  • ULO3: Undertake quantitative performance analysis and contrast various digital signal processing algorithms and their implementations.
  • ULO4: Design, implement and test digital signal processing algorithms.
  • ULO5: Prepare design documents and reports and communicate and explain design decisions.

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit

The entire assessment in this Unit consists of 10 submissions for weekly tasks during practical classes, Assignment report and oral defence, and Semester Project report and oral presentation. Passing this Unit requires an overall Mark of 50 out of 100. There is no Final Examination, and therefore there is no Supplementary Examination. There are no hurdle requirements.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a report or presentation item is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of '0'. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm Sydney Time. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern.

If you need more time due to serious and unavoidable circumstances, you must apply for Special Consideration.

Resubmission of work is not allowed.

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted

Practical Tasks and Assignment/Project written reports - Yes, Standard Late Penalty applies

Assignment/Project oral defences - No, unless Special Consideration is Granted

If assessments are missed due to illness or misadventure, students should apply for Special Consideration.

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through Service Connect at https://connect.mq.edu.au/s/.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Practical Task 20% No 19/05/2026 Individual No
Assignment 30% No 21/04/2026 Individual No
Semester Project 50% No 02/06/2026 Individual and Group No

Practical Task

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 19/05/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:

You will practice digital signal processing skills using MATLAB to complete tasks given in the class, to be submitted as a portfolio of work.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Undertake quantitative performance analysis and contrast various digital signal processing algorithms and their implementations.
  • Design, implement and test digital signal processing algorithms.

Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 21/04/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:

You will use MATLAB simulation to solve problem-based tasks related to software defined radio, write a report, and communicate the design and implementation via oral defence.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe what a software defined radio platform is and its constituent functional components.
  • Undertake quantitative performance analysis and contrast various digital signal processing algorithms and their implementations.
  • Prepare design documents and reports and communicate and explain design decisions.

Semester Project

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 02/06/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:

You will design a software defined radio solution to a real-world problem, implement using MATLAB and RTL-SDR device, and demonstrate the outcome through written report and oral defence.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe what a software defined radio platform is and its constituent functional components.
  • Convey the advantages and limitations of various software-defined-radio-specific digital signal processing algorithms and their efficient implementations.
  • Undertake quantitative performance analysis and contrast various digital signal processing algorithms and their implementations.
  • Design, implement and test digital signal processing algorithms.
  • Prepare design documents and reports and communicate and explain design decisions.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

The Unit will be delivered with a 2-hour lectorial and a 3-hour practical for each week, both on-campus and starting in Week 1. If students have difficulty in attending on-campus classes, they should contact the Unit Convenor as soon as possible.

The unit requires some project work with RTL-SDR devices manufactured by Nooelec, which are USB plugins for computers. Students are required to purchase their own RTL-SDR devices. 

The software required is MATLAB and Simulink, which can be downloaded by Macquarie University students from the Mathworks Website for free.

Methods of Communication

We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements on iLearn. Queries to Convenor can either be placed on the iLearn discussion forum or sent to yiqing.lu@mq.edu.au from your university email address.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

There is no change to the delivery of the unit.

Engineers Australia Competency Mapping

EA Competency Standard

Unit Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Skill Base

1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.

UL01, UL02, UL03, UL04, UL05

1.2 Conceptual understanding of underpinning maths, analysis, statistics, computing.

UL02, UL03, UL04

1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge

 UL01, UL02, UL03

1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions

UL01, UL02, UL03

1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice

UL01, UL02

1.6 Understanding of scope, principles, norms, accountabilities of sustainable engineering practice.

UL01, UL02, UL03, UL04, UL05

Engineering Application Ability

2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex problem solving

 UL01, UL02, UL03, UL04, UL05

2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.

UL01, UL02, UL03, UL04, UL05

2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.

UL02, UL03, UL04

2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.

UL03, UL04, UL05

Professional and Personal Attributes

3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability.

UL05

3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.

 UL05

3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.

UL02, UL05

3.4 Professional use and management of information.

UL02, UL05

3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.

UL04, UL05

3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership

UL05

Unit information based on version 2026.02 of the Handbook