Enrolment options

ELEC-E7120 - Wireless Systems, Lecture, 2.9.2024-14.10.2024

Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

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: 02.09.2024 - 14.10.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Alexis Dowhuszko, Risto Wichman

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

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/RFID, intelligent reflective surfaces).

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Examination, Quizzes, Pre-Lecture Activities, Group project and Homeworks.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Contact-teaching hours

    Group project (team work)

    Independent study

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Course slides, white papers, magazine articles, and sections/chapters of selected textbooks.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn I
    2025-2026 Autumn I

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof

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