EEE8151 Coursework
In this coursework, you are required to perform a study project on one of the topics listed below. You
should use a number of academic references (textbooks and research papers), standards and
commercial websites in this study. You are expected to spend 20 hours or more on this study project
and to submit a report to summarise your findings as detailed below.
1. Comparison between CAN bus system and another commonly used common bus DCS protocol.
The comparison should cover the main applications, relative market share, layers used from the 7-
layer model, MAC method, size of DCS network, relative advantages and disadvantages…etc. You are
expected to include background about the chosen DCS protocol but you do not need to do that for
the CAN protocol as this is already covered in the lecture notes of the module. You need also to
discuss the criteria that should be used to select one of the two protocols for a particular application.
2. Comparison between CAN protocol and a communication protocol that uses more than 3 layers of
the 7-Layer model.
The comparison should cover the main applications, functions of the additional layers in comparison
to CAN protocol, MAC method, if that communication protocol is suitable for DCS applications,
relative features of that communication protocol compared to CAN protocol…etc. You are expected
to include background about the chosen communication protocol but you do not need to do that for
the CAN protocol as this is already covered in the lecture notes of the module. You need also to
discuss the criteria that should be used to select one of the two protocols for a particular application.
3. Latest and advanced versions of CAN bus system.
In 2011, Bosch started the CAN FD (flexible data-rate) development. Before that, different variants of
CAN protocol have been developed. Discuss the technology advance in CAN protocol highlighting the
needs for that development and the main features of the advanced versions. Compare between CAN
FD, CAN, and CANOpen. The comparison should include the main applications, layers used from the
7-layer model, relative features of CAN FD to CAN and CANOpen protocols…etc. You are expected to
include background about CAN FD protocol but you do not need to do that for the CAN protocol and
CANOpen as these are already covered in the lecture notes of the module. You need also to discuss
the criteria that should be used to select one of these protocols for a particular application.
4. Low-cost practical demonstration for CAN-based DCSs.
If you decide to do some practical experiments to verify what you have learned about CAN protocol,
what would be these experiments? In this study project, you need to review different DCS
demonstration experiments and write a Report on which experiments could be done at a relatively
low cost to demonstrate the operation and main characteristics of CAN bus system. You are
expected to present an overview of lab experiments/ facilities for DCSs and to discuss in detail one of
these experiments showing practical components, parameters measured and learning outcomes.
You are encouraged to carry out simple practical experiments and you can do that in a group of
three. The cost can be paid by the school.


5. Simulation Tools for CAN bus system.
In this study project you are expected to review the simulation tools available for simulating DCSs
and if you need a licence for the tool or it is open-source software. You can start by reviewing the
software available at Newcastle University and identify if they include block sets suitable for
simulating a networked system. Ideally, you will construct a simulation model for a simple CAN
network and show the results obtained from the simulation in your report. The report should also
include a review of different available software suitable for simulating a DCS.
6. A topic of your choice.
If you are interested in a particular topic related to DCSs, you can do a study project on that topic
provided that you get approval on the topic from the EEE8151 module lecturer.
Report specifications
The report should not exceed 5 pages excluding the appendix (you may include an appendix of any
length to support your study but it will not be marked). The minimum font size should be 8 for the list of
references and 10 for all of the other sections. You can use any structure you like but you are expected
to include some/most of these sections depending on the chosen topic:
• Background
• Discussions
• Comparisons
• Examples
• Challenges and Opportunities
• Conclusion and Recommendations
You are also encouraged to use figures and tables to support your discussions.
Similarity
The work included in the report should be your own work/research and it should be supported by
references. You are expected to summarise your findings in your own words and to not copy directly
from the different references
Submission
The deadline for Report submission will be at 17:00 (UK Time) on the 4th of April 2022. However, you
can submit the Report at any time before the deadline if ready. There will be only one chance for file
submission, as it can be marked after the submission. If you submit a wrong file by mistake, you can
contact the module lecturer to solve that. However, if your submission is within the last 48 hours before
the final deadline, you may have no chance for resubmission (so please make sure that you are
submitting the correct file).
Presentation
The Report will be marked without any oral presentation/interview. However, the module lecturer may
ask a limited number of students to present their reports and discuss the Report with them (e.g. if the
report is of great interest to the lecturer or if there is a similarity in the Report). If you choose to do a
simulation or experimental project, you are encouraged to demonstrate your work to the module
leader.
Marking Criteria
The mark breakdown for the Report will be as follows:

Section Mark
Background: including abstract, introduction, general overview. 5
Main Body: including discussions, examples, case studies, figures,
comparisons….etc
15
Conclusions: including section criteria, recommendation, a summary of
main findings.
5
Total Mark 25

The marking criteria for the different mark ranges are broken down as follows:

85 – 100% This range of marks is for outstanding work that is both complex and challenging.
The report will demonstrate a great depth of technical knowledge and substantial
evidence of independence, initiative and creativity. There will also be significant
evidence of critical analysis and the report will show an extensive breadth of
knowledge, encompassing legal and commercial aspects if applicable. Conclusions
will be based upon evidence provided. The presentation will be concise,
professionally formatted, with highly effective use of images, tables, references,
and sectioning.
70 – 85% The work reported will be complex and/or challenging. The report will
demonstrate a deep technical knowledge, and show evidence of independence,
initiative and creativity. There will also be evidence of critical analysis and the
report will show a very broad knowledge encompassing significant aspects of legal
and commercial factors, if applicable. Conclusions will be based upon evidence
provided in the report. The report will be presented in a concise, professional
format, with highly effective use of images, tables, references, and sectioning.
50 – 70% Marks within this range are awarded for work that demonstrates a good
understanding of the study project, but will lack in some aspects of the depth or
breadth of knowledge. Some material beyond that taught in modules will be
present, but there will be a reliance on course material. There will be some
evidence of critical analysis but with limited knowledge of commercial aspects, if
applicable. The report will be well structured, but there will be a few errors or
omissions. The conclusions may exhibit weakness in terms of being specific,
evidence based or linked with the study context. The report will be presented in a
generally concise, professional format, but may contain occasional formatting
errors. Use of images, tables, references, and sectioning will be appropriate.
25 – 50% The work will be unsatisfactory and the report will rely mostly on course materials,
demonstrating a limited technical knowledge. There will be little or no evidence of
critical analysis and the report may not consider any of the commercial aspects. A
clear presentation of the project objectives may be absent, or they will lack
specificity. Conclusions may be poorly justified and lack connection to any
evidence provided in the report. The report may be adequately structured, but will
contain many errors or omissions and some irrelevant material.
0 – 25% There will be no evidence of critical analysis. The report will not consider the
commercial aspects, professional standards and intellectual property if applicable.
Often, a report in this range will be excessively short or contain significant
quantities of irrelevant material, but will always contain significant errors or
omissions. There will generally be no meaningful conclusions.