Wireless Networks
| Structure Type: | Study unit |
|---|---|
| Code: | IITS3102 |
| Curriculum: | IT 2022 |
| Level: | Bachelor of Engineering |
| Year of Study: | 4 (2025-2026) |
| Semester: | Autumn |
| Credits: | 5 cr |
| Responsible Teacher: | Gao, Chao |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
Taking the course in advance? See the courses during the academic year 2023-2024.
Learning Outcomes
After the course, the student should understand the basic features of wireless communications, including the radio propagation, bandwidth, spectrum, attenuation, antenna fundamentals, the effect of mobility, etc. She should also understand the concept of digital modulations such as QPSK, QAM, and OFDM. She should also know the difference between cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLAN), wireless personal area networks (WPAN) and what technologies are applied in them. She should know what tools and laboratory instruments are needed in developing wireless network applications.
Student's Workload
135 h, containing 50 h of scheduled contact studies.
The assessment of student’s own learning 1 h is included in contact lessons.
Prerequisites / Recommended Optional Courses
Local Area Networks, Basics of Telecommunications.
Contents
The course contains following parts.
In the first part, we will discuss the features of radio signal, such as signal strength and how to estimate/calculate in different radio environments. We will also discuss the effect of mobility such as fast fading and slow fading.
In the second part, we will discuss the concept of digital modulation. We will study I/Q diagram, basic digital modulation ASK/FSK/PSK, and advanced digital modulation QPSK/QAM/OFDM.
In the third part, we will discuss cellular systems specifically. This will cover cellular basics such as reuse factor, basic structure of cellular system, what is new each generation of cellular standard, and what is 5G.
In the last part, we will focus on the short range wireless network standards. We will discuss the features of short range radio propagation, the most common architecture of short range wireless networks. Then we will inspect most popular standards of short range wireless networks including IEEE802.11 (WiFi), IEEE802.15.1 (Bluetooth), IEEE802.15.4 (Zigbee).
This course contains a laboratory part too. In the laboratory, we will use different tools and instruments to study radio signals, and network behaviors.
Recommended or Required Reading and Other Learning Resources/Tools
T. Rappaport, Wireless Communication: Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall, 2002. Papers and articles from literature. Material prepared by the teacher.
Mode of Delivery / Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Lectures, assignments and laboratory exercises.
Assessment Criteria
Grade 5: The student understands most of the concepts discussed on the course, and she is able to combine different wireless communication technologies together to solve a related problem. She has a solid understanding of wireless networks in theory, so that she can continue a research work in this area.
Grade 3: The student understands a considerable portion of course concepts, and is able to develop a given wireless application by selecting a wireless standard or technology which best meets the requirements.
Grade 1: The student understands the basics of wireless communication, such as signal propagation, antenna features, modulation, gain/attenuation, etc., and is able to apply them to wireless communication in practice
Assessment Methods
Assignments, laboratory exercises, an examination.