You need to write a research paper or study report. Your goal is to gain a deeper understanding of a
particular topic that interests you. At the same time you will practice your skills at independent research and
writing a technical paper. The paper will count for 40% of your grade for the course.
Your paper/ report should be approximately 20 pages long including pictures, diagrams, bibliography, and
appendices if necessary. Research papers should reference at least six technical articles or books, at least two
of which were published within the last two years, and at least one relevant RFC. Study reports may have
fewer references but should document your own study procedures and analysis. References must include
material technical journals, trade magazines or books; some suggested sources are listed below. You can also
have references from Internet sources (e.g. Wikipedia) or newsletters, but these should not be the bulk of
your references.
You must submit a project proposal (not graded) by June 12. If you have any concerns about your choice of
topic, please discuss it with me either before or after class on June 5, or by phone or email prior to June 12.
The project proposal should be a brief (as little as one page) summary of your intended project.
The completed paper is due before the start of our last class on July 3.
Possible topics for your project include, but are not limited to:

0 Wireless communications (WiFi and Cellular) technologies

0 Satellite technology for data communications

0 Explore SSH, what it can do, why it is better than Telnet or FTP

0 Compare state-of-the-art high speed intelligent modem to cable modem in networking technologies and

applications

0 Fiber optic technologies and multimedia data communications

0 Waveform digitization and audio /Video compression techniques for multimedia communications

0 Voice over IP (VoIP)

0 Broadband technologies and multimedia applications

0 T1 / T3 / SONET technology for data communications

0 Compare XDSL to cable modem in technologies and applications

0 Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet history and technology

0 A topic of your own selection (may be related to your work)
Some good reference sources for your project paper:

0 IEEE’s technical journals: IEEE Communications Magazine, IEEE Network (technical journal), IEEE

Spectrum, IEEE Transactions on Communications

0 Computer Communications (technical journal)

0 Computer Networks and ISDN Systems (technical journal)

0 Bell System Technical journal

0 Lightware, The journal of Fiber Optics (technical journal)

0 Data Communications (trade magazine – O.K. for technical reference);

0 Telecommunications (trade magazine – O.K. for technical reference);

0 Byte (trade magazine – O.K. for technical reference);

0 Embedded Systems (trade magazine – O.K. for technical reference);

Networking Technologies

1. Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions
2. A range of credible sources of information have been used to identify appropriate products and solutions
3. Effective judgements have been made when selecting appropriate hardware and software
4. Select design and apply appropriate methods/techniques
5. Material presented is clearly and directly related to the scenario
6. Present and Communicate Findings
7. Material is presented in a logical and accurate manner matching the stated requirements for each task.
8. Appropriate levels of material are presented, taking into account the target audience.
9. Some use of referencing is made
10. Use critical reflection to evaluate your own work & justify valid conclusions
11. Proposals offer clearly justified matches to the requirements, with alternatives being discussed. These must be real and different alternatives, not just another variation on the same basic solutions.
12. The work demonstrates a clear understanding of the overall requirements of the client as well as the individual system requirements.
13. Take responsibility for managing and organising activities. Independent research, outside that provided in class, has been utilised to prepare the work
14. Demonstrate convergent, lateral & creative thinking.
15. Solutions presented show an innovative approach to systems design based on the latest available equipment.
16. A clear understanding of the current trends in networking technology is demonstrated by the specification of systems that will handle future requirements appropriately.
17. Assignment is completed fully to deadline

Networking Technologies

1. Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions
2. A range of credible sources of information have been used to identify appropriate products and solutions
3. Effective judgements have been made when selecting appropriate hardware and software
4. Select design and apply appropriate methods/techniques
5. Material presented is clearly and directly related to the scenario
6. Present and Communicate Findings
7. Material is presented in a logical and accurate manner matching the stated requirements for each task.
8. Appropriate levels of material are presented, taking into account the target audience.
9. Some use of referencing is made
10. Use critical reflection to evaluate your own work & justify valid conclusions
11. Proposals offer clearly justified matches to the requirements, with alternatives being discussed. These must be real and different alternatives, not just another variation on the same basic solutions.
12. The work demonstrates a clear understanding of the overall requirements of the client as well as the individual system requirements.
13. Take responsibility for managing and organising activities. Independent research, outside that provided in class, has been utilised to prepare the work
14. Demonstrate convergent, lateral & creative thinking.
15. Solutions presented show an innovative approach to systems design based on the latest available equipment.
16. A clear understanding of the current trends in networking technology is demonstrated by the specification of systems that will handle future requirements appropriately.
17. Assignment is completed fully to deadline