This course will introduce students to the main concepts of information theory. Information theory has many applications in communications theory and practice, computer science, and statistics. For example, it quantifies fundamental limits of reliable communications in the presence of noise without restricting the treatment to a particular method of transmission or reception. Specific topics include:
- Entropy, Relative Entropy, Mutual Information.
- Entropy Rates of a Stochastic Process.
- Data Compression and Source Coding.
- Channel Capacity and Channel Coding Theorem.
- Differential Entropy.
- Capacity of Gaussian Channels.
- Network Information Theory (such as Multiple-access Channel, Broadcast Channel, Relay Channel).
- Introduction to Network Coding (if time allows).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain, model, use and evaluate the entropy for discrete as well as continuous sources, and for memoryless as well as stochastic sources
- Explain, model, use and evaluate the mutual information for discrete as well as continuous systems, and for memoryless as well as stochastic systems
- Explain, classify, and model fundamental methods that digital information is represented and compressed at the source, reliably transmitted through the channel, and finally reproduced at the destination with vanishing small probabilities of error
- Fully analyse and evaluate the information capacity of basic communication channels and use random channel coding techniques to prove achievability of capacity
- Analyse and evaluate the information capacity of selected more complicated point-to-multi-point channels such as multiple access/broadcast/relay channels and compare and critique how they differ in performance relative to the simpler point-to-point channels.
- Apply their general knowledge in the course to evaluate how network coding is utilisied in wireline and wireless data networks for improved throughput, robustness and delay (if time allows)
- Implement and test real-world data compression techniques, such as Lempel-Ziv coding.
- Apply the broad principles of information representation, storage, and transfer learned in this course to evaluate, critique and design efficient complex wireless and wireline communication and storage systems
- Plan, execute and report on a group-based project and communicate professionally and effectively in written and oral form about the obtained outcomes
Other Information
Professional Skills Mapping:
Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment and Professional Competencies
Indicative Assessment
- Assignments: (16) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
- Active participation: (6) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,7,8]
- Group research project: (13) [LO 5,6,8,9]
- Mid-term exam: (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,7,8]
- Final exam: (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
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Workload
2 x 2-hour lectures per week (4 hours total), 1 x 1-hour tutorial (or self-taught tutorial) per week, 5 hours independent/or group-based study per week.Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Textbook: 'Elements of Information Theory', Thomas Cover and Joy Thomas, Second Edition, 2006.Optional Classic Textbook Suggestion: 'Information Theory and Reliable Communication', Robert G. Gallager, New York, Wiley, 1968
Assumed Knowledge
Knowledge of digital communications (e.g., ENGN3226 or equivalent) is advantageous but not strictly needed.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4980 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
