MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

1. AIMS

Mobile communications and the internet are now an essential part of everyday life. The aim of the module is to introduce the students to the design of wireless networks and in particular to illustrate the differences between fixed and mobile voice and data networks. The design of cellular networks will be motivated in terms of the properties of wireless signal transmission. GSM, GPRS, UMTS, HSPDA and LTE cellular networks will be used as examples of cellular network technology. Medium access control for packet oriented wireless networks will be discussed with examples from data-oriented network technologies such as WiFi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMax (IEEE 802.16 family) and Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15). Quality of Service support for these policies will be presented.

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES

A. Knowledge and Understanding

At the end of the programme students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
A1.The techniques required for cellular mobile communication system design and performance analysis;
A2. The currently operational digital mobile communication systems;
A3. The principles of mobility and handover, and compare the performance of various handover techniques;
A4. The protocols and architectures of various cellular and wireless networks including GSM, GPRS, UMTS, LTE, WiFi, WiMax, and Bluetooth;
A5. The new emerging systems for support of broadband mobile internet (4G and 5G);

B. Cognitive/ Intellectual Skills/ Application of Knowledge

At the end of the programme students should be able to:
B1. Explore real-life engineering scenarios to identify solutions both in cellular and in other mobile environments;
B2. Appreciate the design issues of TDMA and CDMA cellular systems;
B3. Calculate loss for radio signals using various loss models;
B4. Calculate and compare the performance of various signal modulation techniques,describe spread spectrum techniques, and calculate spreading codes using different methods;
B5. Derive a cellular coverage system using a basic loss model;

C. Communication/ICT/Numeracy/Analytic Techniques/Practical Skills

At the end of the programme students should be able to:
C1. Develop an ability to undertake research analysis, design, simulation and/or implementation given an appropriate level of supervision;
C2. Develop objectives and program of work;
C3. Collect information, assess it and present it in an orderly and coherent form;
C4. Work a document, which presents clearly findings, related to the study;
C5. Demonstrate practical applications mobile communications using simulations;

D. General transferable skills

At the end of the programme students should be able to:
D1. Design a wireless access system as an integral part of a larger ICT implementation;
D2. Locate and access current research materials;

3. INDICATIVE CONTENT

Cellular Systems
Cellular Concept, Design of cellular systems based on a simple loss model. Concepts of channel Reuse, Signal Interference Ratio, System Capacity.

Traffic Engineering
Erlang's formula and its application to cellular systems, Trunking and Grade of Service.
Modulation, Equalization &Multiple Access Techniques:
Spread spectrum techniques, GMSK, OFDM, RAKE Receiver,FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, SDMA.

Cellular Networks
Basic properties of cellular networks, mobility and handover, Evolution of cellular networks from voice to data oriented traffic, Generations of cellular networks from 1G to 4G illustrated using GSM, GPRS, UMTS, HSPDA, HSUPA, LTE from the viewpoints of system architecture, the physical layer and system implementation.
Data-Oriented Wireless Networks
802.11 (WiFi), 802.15 (Bluetooth and Zigbee) and 802.16 (WiMAX) standards, Emphasis on MAC layer issues,QoS and Mobility support.

Simulation of Wireless Networks
Introduction to NS-2 and modelling of wireless networks.

4. LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY

A course handbook will be provided in advance and this will contain in depth information relating to the course content. This will give an opportunity to the students to prepare the course. The lecture materials will be posted on the web page that will also contain comprehensive web links for further relevant information. The module will be delivered through lectures, tutorial/practice sessions and group discussions. In addition to the taught element, students will be expected to undertake a range of self-directed learning activities.

5. ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

As this is a theoretical and practical module: The Final assessment shall include 50% of continuous and 50% of End of Module assessment.
The assessments shall be made 50% each for practical and theoretical aspects.
For Example: one quiz (5%), one/two practical assignment (10%), one mini project for presentation (10%), one tutorial session (5%), short practical test (10%) and a short written test (10%) followed by final assessment (50%) of End of Module Examination divided equally into practical viva-voce and theoretical examination.

6. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

For the assignment, criteria will be drawn up appropriate to the topic, based on the learning outcomes.

7. STRATEGY FOR FEEDBACK AND STUDENT SUPPORT DURING MODULE

• Interactive lecturing style, with opportunities for questions, and requirement to work on simple problems.
• Peer marking of tutorial questions for formative feedback.
• Tutorial classes where students can ask questions and be lead through solutions as required.
• Marked summative assessments (laboratory report and assignment) handed back to students, with comments.
• Opportunities to consult lecturer and/or tutorial assistant in office hours.

8. INDICATIVE RESOURCES

Core Text

1. William Stallings: 2005, Wireless Communications, 2, Pearson/Prentice Hall,
2. Mobile Communications: Jochen Schiller, Addison-Wesley, 2000.
3. William Stallings: 2008, Data and Computer Communications, 8, Prentice Hall,

Background Text

1. T. Rappaport, Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice, Prentice Hall 

2. R. Blake, “Wireless Communication Technology”, Thomson Delmar, 2003.
3. W.C.Y.Lee, "Mobile Communications Engineering: Theory and applications, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill International, 1998.
4. D. N. C. Tse and P. Viswanath, Fundamentals of Wireless Communication, Cambridge, U.K., 2005.

Other resources

1. GPRS overview, http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/cellulartelecomms/gprs/gprs_tutorial.php, 110, 0, UMTS overview,
2. http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/cellulartelecomms/umts/umts_wcdma_tutorial.php, WCDMA,
3. http://privateline.com/, Bluetooth Tutorial,
4. http://www.palowireless.com/infotooth/tutorial.asp,The Nuts and Bolts of WiMAX,
5. http://www.embedded.com/columns/technicalinsights/201802589?cid=RSSfeed_embedded_news, 114, IEC, 0, OFDM for mobile and data communications,
6. http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/ofdm/,