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Front Page > Current Education > Information Technology (TT) > 2023 > Year 4 > Wireless Networks (ITTS3102)

Wireless Networks

Structure Type: Study unit
Code: ITTS3102
Curriculum: TT 2023
Level: Bachelor of Engineering
Year of Study: 4 (2026-2027)
Semester: Autumn
Credits: 5 cr
Responsible Teacher: Gao, Chao
Language of Instruction: Finnish

Taking the course in advance? See the courses during the academic year 2024-2025.

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, TCP/IP networks

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.


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