Course Title: Wireless Communications: Concepts and Applications
Course Description: This course offers a comprehensive exploration of wireless communications, covering fundamental concepts, modern technologies, protocols, and applications. Students will delve into topics such as wireless transmission techniques, modulation schemes, multiple access methods, wireless network architectures, and emerging trends in wireless communication systems.
Course Outline:
- Week 1: Introduction to Wireless Communications
- Evolution of wireless communication systems
- Key concepts and terminologies in wireless communications
- Overview of wireless network components and architecture
- Week 2: Wireless Transmission Fundamentals
- Radio wave propagation and channel characteristics
- Antennas and transmission techniques
- Link budget analysis and signal strength considerations
- Week 3: Modulation Techniques
- Analog modulation techniques (AM, FM)
- Digital modulation techniques (ASK, FSK, PSK, QAM)
- Spread spectrum modulation (DS, FH, CDMA)
- Week 4: Multiple Access Methods
- Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA)
- Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
- Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
- Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)
- Week 5: Wireless Network Protocols
- IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) standards and protocols
- Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
- Zigbee and other wireless personal area network (WPAN) protocols
- Week 6: Cellular Wireless Networks
- GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)
- CDMA2000 and WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access)
- LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and LTE-Advanced
- 5G NR (New Radio) and 6G technologies
- Week 7: Wireless Network Architectures
- Wireless LAN (WLAN) architectures and topologies
- Wireless mesh networks and ad hoc networks
- Satellite communication systems
- Week 8: Mobile IP and Mobile Networks
- Mobile IP and IP mobility protocols
- Mobile network architectures (3GPP, EPC, IMS)
- Roaming and handover in mobile networks
- Week 9: Security in Wireless Communications
- Wireless network security protocols (WPA, WPA2, WPA3)
- Encryption and authentication mechanisms
- Wireless intrusion detection and prevention systems (WIDS/WIPS)
- Week 10: Emerging Trends in Wireless Communications
- Internet of Things (IoT) and wireless sensor networks (WSNs)
- 5G and beyond: network slicing, edge computing, and massive MIMO
- Wireless charging technologies and energy harvesting in wireless networks
Course Assignments:
- Weekly readings and discussions on wireless communication topics
- Simulation projects using network simulation tools (e.g., ns-3)
- Case studies on wireless network design and optimization
- Wireless security assessment and analysis
- Research paper or presentation on an emerging trend in wireless communications
- Final project: Designing a wireless communication system for a specific application scenario
Course Materials:
- Textbook: “Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice” by Theodore S. Rappaport
- Research papers, industry reports, and standards documents on wireless communications
- Simulation software for wireless network modeling and analysis
- Security tools and resources for wireless network security analysis
- IoT platforms and resources for wireless IoT applications
Assessment:
- Participation in class discussions and activities
- Quizzes and exams on wireless communication principles and technologies
- Assignments and projects demonstrating understanding of wireless network concepts
- Wireless security assessment report
- Final project evaluation based on creativity, technical depth, and practical applicability
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of telecommunications and networking concepts is recommended. Familiarity with basic concepts in digital communication and networking will be beneficial but not mandatory.