Topic outline

  • Note: The course starts on Monday 7th September 2020 at 12:15 in Zoom Lecture Room (meeting link to be sent in email and on announcement page)! 

    Learning Outcomes

    Students will develop factual knowledge and understanding of the 5G core network, the Evolved Packet System (EPS) architecture, its components and its protocols. They will also understand the migration scenarios from 2G/3G to 4G and 5G. The students will become also familiar with the latest developments in the area of Network Function Virtualization, Software Defined Networking, Network Slicing, and Network Softwarization. Furthermore, the students will learn about the evolved radio access networks (RANs). As part of the learning activities, the students will select a paper for presentation from a a shortlist of research papers or other useful literature such as, magazines, journal articles and whitepapers, that relate to the theme of the course. This includes papers describe upcoming developments in standards, technical enhancements for realising interesting/challenging 5G vertical use cases; or envisioned developments beyond 5G (6G). These papers will not only expose students to concepts beyond legacy systems considered in the lectures, it will also further   develop their  presentation and research skills.  

     

    Content

    The course covers key system level technical issues involved in the design and deployment of the 5G core network and the EPS, in a stepwise progressive fashion. The course also covers aspects relevant to carrier grade virtual mobile core networks, as an important vision of 5G. Furthermore, the course will introduce some of the key recent RAN technology developments including LTE, LTE-Advanced and LTE-Advanced Pro and5G New Radio (NR) standards. To that end, where appropriate, the course provides an overview on relevant standards and exposes students to some relevant research papers and standards documents, mostly from the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).


    Grading Policy

    • In-class exercises (30% of course grade)
    • Assignment (30% of course grade)
    • Examination (40% of course grade)

    Important Dates

      • Lecture 1: Mon 07.09.20   12:15 - 14:00   
      • Lecture 2: Fri 11.09.20      12:15-14:00     
      • Lecture 3: Mon  14.09.20 12:15 - 14:00   
      • Lecture 4: Mon  21.09.20 12:15 - 14:00    
      • Lecture 5: Mon  28.09.20 12:15 - 14:00   
      • Lecture 6: Mon  05.10.20 12:15 - 14:00   
      • Assignment  - Paper presentation day 1: Mon 12.10.2020 , 12:00 - 14:00
      • Assignment  - Paper presentation day 2: Wed 14.10.2020, 14:00 - 16:00 
      • Examination: Tue 20.10.2020 09:00-12:00    


    Credits: 5

    Language: English

    Prerequisites:

    Each student should have the background in Wireless Systems.


    Office Hours

    tbc


    Further Information

    For inquiries for further information on the course please contact any of the following course teachers:

    • Tarik Taleb <tarik.taleb@aalto.fi>
    • Edward Mutafungwa <edward.mutafungwa@aalto.fi>,