Browse Hierarchy ECS660U: Modelling and Performance

The module investigates the key areas of knowledge that allow undergraduate engineers and to model and gain system level insight into modern technological systems. We aim to evaluate such important system level metrics as e.g. failure system probabilities. The target technological systems will include: - example forms of networked systems and technology, including networked systems in the natural sciences - microprocessor based systems - call centre based systems - packet network based systems Once adequate modelling has been achieved, the key numerical metrics can be evaluated; this is the 'performance' aspect of the module, and involves the use of network science, Markov chains, probability theory, reliability theory, system simulation. This course covers 2 main areas: The first half of the module provides a detailed introduction to the fundamental ideas in network science: graph theory, network metrics, network models, network robustness. The second half of the module develops probabilistic solutions to the problems associated with the performance evaluation of electronics-based systems. Topics are: Review of probability theory, Markov chains and queueing models for computers and networks, Traffic theory, fundamentals of simulation for electronics-based systems, call centre modelling, reliability theory for electrical and electronic engineering and computer science systems.