LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course a successful student will be able to:
- Recognize the difference between mobile and wireless communication systems and know the role that international organizations (such as ITU, 3GPP, IEEE) have in their development.
- Be aware of the (licensed/unlicensed) frequency bands in which most of contemporary wireless communications take place and understand the relation that exist between communication bandwidth (data rate) and coverage in each frequency band.
- Know the principles of physics that govern the propagation of radio signals, understand how to model them statistically, and use them to compute simple link budgets in radio systems.
- Recognize the difference between the different multiplexing, multiple-access and duplexing methods that guarantee the connectivity in contemporary wireless communication systems.
- Be aware of the target, technology components, spectrum and use cases of 5G standards, as well as most popular WPAN (Bluetooth), WLAN (Wi-Fi) and LPWAN (MTC/NB-IoT) standards.
- Skill how to do simple practical measurements and scientific research on wireless communication systems (5G), and develop team-work and multi-cultural communication skills.
Credits: 5
Schedule: 05.09.2022 - 17.10.2022
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Mehmet Ilter, Alexis Dowhuszko
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
At the end of the course a successful student will be able to:
- Recognize the difference between mobile and wireless communication systems and know the role that international organizations (such as ITU, 3GPP, IEEE) have in their development.
- Be aware of the (licensed/unlicensed) frequency bands in which most of contemporary wireless communications take place and understand the relation that exist between communication bandwidth (data rate) and coverage in each frequency band.
- Know the principles of physics that govern the propagation of radio signals, understand how to model them statistically, and use them to compute simple link budgets in radio systems.
- Recognize the difference between the different multiplexing, multiple-access and duplexing methods that guarantee the connectivity in contemporary wireless communication systems.
- Be aware of the target, technology components, spectrum and use cases of 5G standards, as well as most popular WPAN (Bluetooth), WLAN (Wi-Fi) and LPWAN (MTC/NB-IoT) standards.
- Skill how to do simple practical measurements and scientific research on wireless communication systems (5G), and develop team-work and multi-cultural communication skills.
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
This introductory course on Wireless Systems provides a comprehensive understanding of radio communications in general, starting from an overview of regulations and standardization activities, and including details of the wireless channel modeling, link-level connectivity aspects, as well as the key features that differentiate cellular systems (e.g., 4G/5G) from wireless systems (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.)
The content of this course is divided into five different units, whose contents are expanded as follows:
- Unit 1: Introduction. Wireless (WLAN) vs. Cellular (Mobile): Similarities and differences. Evolution path from 2G (GSM) to 5G (NR). 4G/5G targets and standardization. Cellular concept and network architecture (mobility). IMT Vision (ITU) and 3GPP/IEEE standardization. Licensed vs. Unlicensed spectrum.
- Unit 2: Wireless channel. Low- and mid-band spectrum (FR1). Millimeter-wave spectrum (FR2). Physical modeling of wireless channel. Stochastically modeling of wireless channel (mean path loss, shadowing, multipath fading). Frequency- and time-selectivity. Effect of frequency on channel bandwidth and range. Link-budget computations for different wireless systems.
- Unit 3: Wireless link. Functional blocks of a wireless link (Modulation and Coding). Link-level figures of merit (Shannon Capacity, Throughput, Bit Error Rate). Multiple Access Methods (TDMA, CDMA, OFDMA). Duplexing methods (FDD and TDD). Comparisons and challenges.
- Unit 4: Cellular systems. Interference in cellular networks. 5G verticals. Overview of 5G Radio Access Network and Core Network. 5G technology components (Massive MIMO, Carrier Aggregation, millimeter wave). Machine-type communications and Narrowband-IoT.
- Unit 5: Wireless systems. WLAN (Wi-Fi) and WPAN (Bluetooth). Optical Wireless Communications (Free Space Optics and Visible Light Communications). Non-terrestrial networks (GEO/LEO satellites, high-altitude platforms/drones). Passive network elements (backscatter communications, intelligent reflective surfaces).
applies in this implementation
This introductory course on Wireless Systems provides a comprehensive understanding of radio communications in general, starting from an overview of regulations and standardization activities, and including details of the wireless channel modeling, link-level connectivity aspects, as well as the key features that differentiate cellular systems (e.g., 4G/5G) from wireless systems (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.)
The content of this course is divided into five different units, whose contents are expanded as follows:
- Unit 1: Introduction. Wireless (WLAN) vs. Cellular (Mobile): Similarities and differences. Evolution path from 2G (GSM) to 5G (NR). 4G/5G targets and standardization. Cellular concept and network architecture (mobility). IMT Vision (ITU) and 3GPP/IEEE standardization. Licensed vs. Unlicensed spectrum.
- Unit 2: Wireless channel. Low- and mid-band spectrum (FR1). Millimeter-wave spectrum (FR2). Physical modeling of wireless channel. Stochastically modeling of wireless channel (mean path loss, shadowing, multipath fading). Frequency- and time-selectivity. Effect of frequency on channel bandwidth and range. Link-budget computations for different wireless systems.
- Unit 3: Wireless link. Functional blocks of a wireless link (Modulation and Coding). Link-level figures of merit (Shannon Capacity, Throughput, Bit Error Rate). Multiple Access Methods (TDMA, CDMA, OFDMA). Duplexing methods (FDD and TDD). Comparisons and challenges.
- Unit 4: Cellular systems. Interference in cellular networks. 5G verticals. Overview of 5G Radio Access Network and Core Network. 5G technology components (Massive MIMO, Carrier Aggregation, millimeter wave). Machine-type communications and Narrowband-IoT.
- Unit 5: Wireless systems. WLAN (Wi-Fi) and WPAN (Bluetooth). Optical Wireless Communications (Free Space Optics and Visible Light Communications). Non-terrestrial networks (GEO/LEO satellites, high-altitude platforms/drones). Passive network elements (backscatter communications, intelligent reflective surfaces)
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Examination, Quizzes, Pre-Lecture Activities, Group project and Homeworks.
applies in this implementation
Mandatory requirements: Pass the exam by achieving at least 50% of its total points, participate actively in the course project and the presentations. Exam registration is mandatoryFinal grade for the course is defined according to the following weighting formula:- Exam: 40%
- Homework (Fridays): 20%
- Group Project (Workshop): 30%
- In-class interactive quizzes: 20% (Pre-lecture 10%, Post-Lecture 10%)
Note: The sum is 110%, from which 10% is given as bonus
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Contact-teaching hours: 36 hours.
Group project (team work): 30 hours.
Independent study: 66 hours.
applies in this implementation
Estimated workload for the course (average student):- 12 lectures x 2 h = 24 h
- 5(+1) homework sessions x 2 h = 12 h
- 5 homework preparations x 4.5 h = 22.5 h
- 4 pre-lecture activities x 3 h = 12 h
- Project assignment = 35 h
- Preparation for the exam = 25 h
- Exam = 3 h
Total hours = 133.5 hours (4.94 credits)
DETAILS
Study Material
applies in this implementation
No unique reference book will be used. Recommended readings will be informed during the contact sessions of the course by the teachers.
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language : English
Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Autumn I
2023-2024 Autumn IEnrollment :
Registration for Courses on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi).
- Opettaja: Dowhuszko Alexis
- Opettaja: Ilter Mehmet