Overview and Syllabus:
This one-semester lecture covers the basics of mobile (cellular) radio systems. It can be combined with the Mobile Radio Systems II course. It includes a short introduction to basic aspects of wireless communications and starts with a short historical review on the development. The main emphasis is on cellular telephony, and most specifically we are developing the understanding of GSM system and its components.
The course includes topics on radio propagation, basics of cellular systems, simple capacity estimators for the cellular network, and all important system aspects. Thus, for example, different types of handovers, frame and channel structures, GPRS and security issues are discussed. Apart from GSM, the course addresses basics of different multiple access methods such as TDMA, FDMA and CDMA.
The overall aim of the course is the knowledge of the principles of cellular networks, the basics of wireless communications at system and protocol therein. The special emphasis is on the architecture and evolution towards B3G and 4G systems. Radio transceiver design and coding issues are not covered in detail in this course. Essentially the course operates in the system level and we discuss many practical aspects related on deploying (and designing such systems) in real-world conditions.
Homework:
It is strongly recommended to students to prepare the exercise problems every week before the tutorial and hand in their solutions. The teaching assistant will correct all student work and feedback will be provided.
Reading and Bibliography:
A large part of the used lecture slides are made available on a separate course website. As some of the used may be handed out only as paper copies. Related research articles are given as reading assignments and background material. In there are recommended textbooks that are also available in the library of the chair for consultation.
Previous Knowledge:
No hard prereqs, but the student is expected to know the main principles of signals & systems and basics of computer networking, i.e. knowledge on the OSI reference model and the basics of signal theory are assumed.
Language: English
Material: There is no “script” (lecture notes) but we provide lecture slides, homework, and some other extra material through L2P. The beginning of the course is based on Rappaport’s wireless communications book. The GSM and cellular systems part textbook references are provided during the lectures.
Exam: Written final exam.
Responsible professor: Prof. Mähönen or Prof. Petrova (depending on the semester)