Purpose

This module introduces students some basic concepts in radio communications and the state of the art wireless and mobile systems, including their applications.

Prerequisites

The students are expected to have general knowledge in computer networking to follow this module.

Please answer the following questions:

• Do you know how electromagnetic waves propagate?
• Are you familiar with the terms amplitude, frequency, and phase of an electromagnetic wave? 
• Do you know the TCP/IP protocol suite?

Learning objectives

Students who complete the introductory level will have an understanding of how wireless communications work.
Students who complete the basic level will obtain:

• Knowledge of basic radio communications
• Knowledge of wireless networks (IEEE 802.11 with latest extensions): carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA)
• Knowledge of mobile networks (cellular and latest evolutions LTE, LTE-A)
• Knowledge of how to apply the taught concepts for solving real life problems.

At the advanced level, students are supposed to study some research problems in wireless sensor networks e.g. scalability, routing, or energy-efficiency. Students will obtain:

• Skills in the Internet of Things (IoT),
• Skills in a wireless sensor network, which is a large distributed network of sensors interconnecting with each other through a wireless medium.

Pre-module material provided

• Section 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 in "Computer Networking, A top down approach" of James F. Kurose & K, W. Ross, Pearson
• “Computer Networks” of Andrew S. Tanenbaum & David J. Wetherall, Prentice Hall, Indian International Ed.; 5th edition (January 9, 2010)

Additional material provided

Besides the main course material in the form of presentation slides, students are provided additional materials such as scientific papers and quizzes.

 You find the full material for download here.