32118 Wireless Communications
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Recommended studies: basic understanding of networking and telecommunication concepts
Description
This subject covers the fundamental technologies and typical wireless systems and networks for modern wireless communication systems. The emphasis is on the concepts, infrastructure, and protocols for supporting device and user mobility. It integrates hands-on learning seamlessly into theoretical study, with Matlab-based simulation. The subject also focuses on an assignment that goes into focus on a contemporary technology which a student group must manage to understand, explore and address with respect to class lessons and feedback to class.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Explain the fundamental technologies used in wireless communications, for supporting mobility, multiple access, and high data rate connections. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Describe and analyse the network infrastructure requirements to support mobile devices and users. (B.1) |
| 3. | Illustrate the concepts, techniques, protocols and architecture employed in wireless personal area networks, wireless local area networks, cellular networks, and satellite networks, and perform basic requirements analysis. (D.1) |
| 4. | Select and apply proper wireless techniques, and current systems and network technologies to the consideration of next generation technologies and how they fit into intended IoT networks from the edge through to cloud and why they will be important demonstrating and explaining their advantages in selected applications in practical applications. Simulate and analyze the performance of the design to provide decision support. (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, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
Students enrolled in the Master of Professional Engineering should note that this subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
- 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
- 2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
- 3.4. Professional use and management of information.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is designed to facilitate project-based and active learning, where students are motivated and supervised to learn and collect pieces of technology jigsaw weekly for delivering final projects addressing self-defined practical problems/applications involving wireless communications.
This subject consists of three parts: fundamental technologies, systems and networks, and project work. Extensive hands-on experiences are provided via integrated Matlab simulation of the technologies and systems, throughout the learning.
In the first part, students learn fundamental technologies widely used in modern wireless communications, focusing on physical and MAC layers. Each student is expected to deliver a Matlab simulator for a wireless transceiver after this part of study, while each jigsaw piece is developed weekly.
In the second part, students learn state-of-the-art wireless systems and networks. Theoretical study is complemented by well-designed practice on Matlab built-in system-level simulations. Students can try and see how wireless systems and networks operate in nearly realistic environments and closely inspect how system parameters affect performance.
In the third part, students work in small groups for group design projects. Each group collaboratively develops the wireless project with the idea conceived at the beginning of the subject and improved subsequently. This communication and collaboration process is integral to exercising innovation in selecting the best solution based on analysis of stakeholder needs. Early introduction of the project and weekly progressive learning and development enable closely engaging students in learning. Students are required to complete simulation for the critical wireless communication component in the designed project, by exploiting either the simulator developed in the first part or the Matlab built-in system simulators learnt in the second part of this subject.
In-class weekly quizzes are delivered to motivate the study and to produce in-time feedback for effective learning
Content (topics)
- Introduction to Wireless Communications.
- Fundamental technologies of wireless communications and medium access control protocols, such as wireless transceiver, signal propagation, modulation and signaling, multiple access and interference management, and MIMO techniques.
- State-of-the-art wireless systems and networks, including personal area network (such as RFID and Bluetooth), local area network (WiFi), and wide area network (Mobile/Cellular network and Satellite network).
- Development of an application with wireless communications
- Integrated hands-on experience based on Matlab programming and simulation, which are critical skills for research and engineering development and testing.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Weekly quizzes
| Intent: | To motivate the study and provide students with feedback to gauge their performance, identify any specific areas which need more work. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 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: | 40% |
Assessment task 2: Matlab Simulator
| Intent: | This assessment is designed to test students' knowledge of the fundamental techniques of wireless communications, implementing these technologies in software, and evaluating the performance of a wireless transceiver and system. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
Assessment task 3: Design project
| Intent: | To develop project design skills in collaboration and to convincingly communicate and champion the outcome of the project to stakeholders. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, 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
Materials (lecture notes and videos) relevant to the subject will be made available on the subject's UTS Canvas site.
Recommended texts
Wireless Technologies (Theory-focused):
- Andrea Goldsmith, "Wireless Communications", 2nd Edition (First choice).
- David Tse, Pramod Viswanath, "Fundamentals of Wireless Communications," Cambridge University Press, 2005.
General introduction to wireless systems and networks:
- Jorge L. Olenewa, “Guide to Wireless Communications”, 4th Edition, ISBN: 978-1-305-95853-1
References
Provided on the subject's UTS Canvas site.
Other resources
Additional resources including IEEE, ACM research and review articles will be referenced as needed.