31275 Mobile Networking
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 31270 Networking Essentials OR 48720 Network Fundamentals OR 41092 Network Fundamentals
Recommended studies: basic understanding of networking and telecommunication concepts
Description
Wireless networks, such as cellular, WiFi, sensor, satellite and near field communication networks, provide ubiquitous connections to devices and end-users, and are the underlying technologies and systems for almost every industry today. This subject covers the principles and applications of wireless telecommunication networks, and their integration with the internet. The emphasis is on the concepts, infrastructure and protocols of these networks, and the use of these networks in applications with different requirements of supporting devices and mobility. This subject also offers extensive hands-on experience via solving industry-related problems, and provides opportunities for research innovation via group project work. This subject provides students with both fundamental knowledge and practical usage experience in wireless networks, and is suitable for students over a wide range of engineering courses.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Explain the concepts, techniques and protocols employed in various wireless networks to perform consulting tasks involving support roles for wireless technologies. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Analyze the network infrastructure requirements to support mobile devices and users. (B.1) |
| 3. | Develop and roadshow innovative solutions for practical applications of wireless technologies. (C.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Weekly 3 hour lecture and tutorial.
The subject is designed to engage students closely in the learning process, by encouraging active learning and providing students with sufficient opportunities for hand-on practice. Students will have extensive interactive activities in class and using Canvas, with both their fellow students and teachers. The subject includes two stages of learning activities: nine weeks of theory and three weeks of project develpoment.
In the theory stage, students will learn the basic knowledge of different wireless networks, through a mix of online lectures, interactive discussions, online quizzes, forum discussions, exercises and group discussions. Students are required to watch online lectures and study the supplemental reading materials before the class. The tutorial class is built upon such pre-class preparation by assuming students’ familiarity with the content. What a student can learn and achieve in the tutorial classes largely depends on how well he/she has prepared, and how well he/she accepts feedback. In each tutorial, a quick review of the online lecture and Q&A session will be firstly provided. Students will then work on some exercises. Each exercise will be discussed and reference answers will be provided to students. Students will then have group discussions for some small projects/topics. Finally, an online quiz will be conducted. Tutors will provide oral feedback following each quiz on a weekly basis.
In the project development stage, students will work in groups to develop innovative solutions for practical applications, using the wireless technologies learned in the theory stage. In this stage, students will be able to not only get a deeper understanding of wireless network technologies, but also learn the skills of applying technologies to solve practical problems in a collaborative and competitive way, mimicking the real working environment. Feedback will be provided both orally and in writing over the whole period, from both tutors and student peers. Tutorials will be organized into different themes, including cooperation, competition and commercialization across three weeks. Students will play the different roles of collaborator, competitor and investor during this process, and will help each other to improve project work and peer-assess the quality of the work. Outstanding groups have the opportunity of being invited and funded to continue their project work as either their thesis or internship project.
Across the whole subject period, students are strongly encouraged to participate in the active learning exercises in class. Merit will be given according to the level of engagement demonstrated by each student.
Content (topics)
- Introduction and Wireless data transmission principles.
- Radio frequency communications.
- Wireless Personal Area Networks: Bluetooth and Zigbee.
- Wireless Local Area Networks: WiFi .
- Wireless Wide Area Networks: Cellular and Satellite.
- Radio Frequency Identification and Near-field Communications.
- Develop an innovative solution for practical problems using mobile networking technologies.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quizzes
| Intent: | The intent of this assessment is to encourage students to do pre-class preparation, develop better self-learning capabilities, and achieve solid theory study results. The quiz questions and answers are generally straightforward. The study of the theory will establish the foundation for subsequent project work, and allow students to become competent and knowledgeable wireless engineers. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
Assessment task 2: Mobile Application Design project
| Intent: | This assessment task stimulates students to apply theory to develop innovative solutions to real problems representative of industry, and create a wireless industrial design report. It assesses students' overall knowledge and capabilities in problem abstraction, modeling, and flexibly applying the learned knowledge from this subject to solve real wireless problems. The task also promotes team work by mimicking the real collaborative and competitive working environment. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
Guide to Wireless Communications, 4th Edition, Jorge L. Olenewa, ISBN: 978-1-305-95853-1
Other resources
Will be provided each week in Subject homepage on Canvas.