Tekniska högskolan vid Linköpings universitet

2009

MASTER'S PROGRAMME IN COMMUNICATION ELECTRONICS 120 ECTS credits

Aim/vision

The objective of this master's programme is to provide a strong and competitive education in Communication Electronics. The motivation behind the programme is the growing global demand for communication electronics engineers, particularly Radio Frequency (RF) and mixed analogue/digital Integrated Circuits (IC) designers, who combine skills in electronics with in-depth knowledge of telecommunication theory and modern wireless communication systems.

Fast, efficient wireless communication technologies are essential in many areas: public networks, industry, health care, safety, security, and daily living. Reliable, low-cost access to communication and information technologies is achieved by embedding smart wireless systems in personal equipment, cars, industrial machines, household appliances, biomedical devices, etc.

This programme, which spans several disciplines, is supported by 6 strong divisions with more than 60 researchers. These divisions cover a broad spectrum of competence in integrated circuits and systems design, signal processing, computer engineering, as well as wireless communication systems. The divisions are not only responsible for all education on integrated circuits and systems at Linkvping University, but they are also engaged in advanced research, and have close collaboration with major companies worldwide.

Swedish industry has strongly supported the establishment of this master's programme. The domestic and international career opportunities for Communication Electronics designers are anticipated to remain excellent. Graduates can expect employment in industry, academic institutions, and at major research and development laboratories.

Programme goals

• Knowledge and reasoning in mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering
  Graduates from the Master's programme in Communication Electronics
  • Should have a solid knowledge in signal theory, telecommunication theory, and modern wireless communication systems.
  • Should have specialized knowledge in radio frequency (RF) microelectronics, including wireless transceiver architectures, analogue radio front-ends, and baseband signal processing techniques
  • Should be able to apply modern methodologies for integrated circuits and systems design.
  • Should be able to carry out modelling, simulation, and physical design of RF, analogue, and digital integrated circuits and systems in advanced semiconductor technologies
  • Should be able to make effective use of computers and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tool environments
  • Should be able to carry out measurement and evaluation of integrated circuits and systems.
• Personal and professional skills and attributes
  Graduates from the Master's programme in Communication Electronics
  • Should be able to formulate a model for a relevant problem and critically evaluate its validity.
  • Should be creative, enterprising and take responsibility for the own contribution to the solution of a problem.
• Interpersonal skills: teamwork and communication
  Graduates from the Master's programme in Communication Electronics
  • should be capable of teamwork and active collaboration within a group by sharing tasks and responsibilities
  • should be able to initialize, plan, carry out and evaluate scientific and engineering projects
  • should be able to communicate and to give presentations in English, orally and in writing
• Conceiving, designing, implementing, and operating systems in the enterprise and social context
  Graduates from the Master's programme in Communication Electronics
  • should have a deep insight into the broad field of science and engineering: from initial concepts to implementation aspects
  • should be aware of the impact of science and engineering on society

Disposition of the Programme

The programme includes two years of studies, and it contains both compulsory and elective courses. The first quarter (about 2.5 months) will be dedicated to basic and essential courses, providing the necessary knowledge in signal theory, telecommunications, as well as digital integrated circuits.

The second quarter provides continued education on telecommunications, Radio Frequency (RF) electronics, as well as advanced analogue and mixed-signal integrated circuits. The third and forth quarters are focused on (i) modern communication systems, (ii) RF front-end circuit blocks for wireless receivers and transmitters in deep sub-micron CMOS, and (iii) VLSI chips design projects.

The fifth and sixth quarters get deeper into communication electronics through courses on design of radio transceivers, signal processing techniques, as well as a number of other optional courses. Finally, the seventh and eighth quarters are dedicated to the Master's thesis projects.

In addition, throughout the programme, there will be a number of complementary and highly related elective courses which can be selected by students depending on the individual directions of interests.

Master's Thesis The thesis should be based on the high quality scientific content and carried out in close contact with the research groups involved in the programme and in the area of the profile chosen by the students. Without special permission a thesis work may be performed in the following subject areas:

• Electronic Devices
• Electronics Systems
• Communication Systems

PhD courses in the programme

Certain PhD courses can be taken by master students. Please contact the directors of graduate studies:

• Dept. of Electrical Engineering, forskarstudierektor@isy.liu.se
• Dept. of Computer and Information Science, forskarstudierektor@ida.liu.se

Requirements for a degree

The programme is designed to give the Master's Degree "Teknologie masterexamen i elektroteknik" translated to "Master of Science (2 years) with a major Electrical Engineering".

The requirements are the following:

• a Bachelor's degree as specified in the entrance requirements
• course requirements for a total of 120 ECTS credits from courses from the curriculum for the programme or after special decision from the programme board and thesis work
• passed the requirements for all compulsory courses
• courses on advancement level A (advanced) 90 ECTS credits including:
  • at least 30 ECTS credits courses from the major subject
  • a 30 ECTS credits Master's Thesis in the major subject
• at least 45 ECTS credits from courses in mathematics or applications of mathematics from the Bachelor level (basic) or Master level (advanced), see list of specific courses
• a Master's thesis presented and passed as per Linköping Institute of Technology degree regulations.

Entrance requirements

See general rules and regulations for master programmes at LiTH.

Tekniska högskolan vid Linköpings universitet