University of Technology Sydney

42890 4G/5G Mobile Technologies

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Electrical and Data Engineering
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10066 Bachelor of Engineering Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.

Description

5G NR and LTE are the dominant mobile network technologies in Australia and worldwide. In order to obtain a detailed understanding of 4G & 5G network performance, telecommunication engineers must have a solid understanding of 4G/5G network structure, function and behaviour.

As part of the learning outcomes in this subject, students acquire fundamental knowledge of 4G/5G mobile networks and learn to apply engineering tools and design and evaluate the performance of a mobile communication network. This subject provides an introduction to 4G/5G networks as well as details of the architecture, air-interface, protocols, quality of service, radio resource management and services. The subject is independent of any specific 4G/5G mobile network vendor and is based on industry standards

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Analyse 4G/ 5G mobile network in terms of evolution, architecture, air-interface, protocols, procedures, performance and security and apply this knowledge to predict the 4G/5G network performance. (D.1)
2. Design a link-level 4G/5G network and evaluate the link performance by evaluating key performance parameters. (D.1)
3. Implement and evaluate the performance of 5G waveforms based on 5G New Radio Standard using engineering tools. (D.1)
4. Develop lifelong learning and research skills by undertaking a comprehensive study of an emerging 5G research topic and effectively presenting it to the class. (F.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

  • 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)
  • Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their own and others' performance with a high level of responsibility to improve and practice competently for the benefit of professional practice and society. (F.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.
  • 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
  • 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject delivery consists of tutorials, quizzes and laboratories. It is the responsibility of the student to read UTS Canvas regularly, watch the lecture videos, study the subject resources, and answer the review questions .The students gain first exposure to new material outside of class, usually via subject readings and lecture videos on Canvas, and then class time is used for tutorials to answer questions and for assimilating that knowledge through strategies such as quizzes, problem-solving, presentations, discussion or debates. The 4G/5G network modelling and evaluation is performed by students outside class times in groups to encourage collaborative learning.

The subject is designed so that students engage with the subject material with mid-session and final quizzes. This organisation results in continuous self-assessment throughout the session to ensure that student learning is appropriate and ‘on-track’. Past experience has shown that students who miss key learning activities have a high chance of failure. We expect that students play an active part in their learning in the subject and adhere to the principles of good academic practice. This means that students should come to all of the class sessions well prepared. Go through the lecture videos and subject resources BEFORE coming to class. Take an active part in the class and engage with the learning activities – students should not simply be passive observers! The exams and quizzes assume that students have completed the readings and lecture videos along with the lecture notes.

Canvas will be used in this subject for online group discussions and subject announcements.

The teaching strategy consists of weekly classes made up of a one hour tutorial followed by a lab session. Lecture recording will be made available in Canvas before the class for students to watch and prepare for the week's content. Design tasks are then undertaken to apply concepts.

Content (topics)

  1. E2E Architecture Introduction
  2. 5G and LTE Security
  3. 5G and LTE architecture, interfaces and protocols
  4. Basic procedures
  5. Enhanced QoS in LTE networks
  6. Voice and SMS Services Continuity
  7. Data services Continuity with Inter-RAT Mobility
  8. OFDMA Principles
  9. Air Interface Structure
  10. eUTRAN Scenarios
  11. Mobility Management

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Mid-Session Quiz

Intent:

To allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of the concepts learnt in the subject, apply their skills to solve problems and self-assess their progress in the subject.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%

Assessment task 2: Project

Intent:

Practicing engineers are expected to design and validate the performance of mobile networks. By designing and modelling parts of a 5G network, students learn to apply engineering tools and techniques to demonstrate their subject knowledge, problem solving and research skills.
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):

D.1

Type: Laboratory/practical
Groupwork: Group, individually assessed
Weight: 20%

Assessment task 3: Final Examination

Intent:

The intent of the final exam is to allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of 4G/5G mobile networks operation, standards and problem solving which they have learnt in the subject.
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1

Type: Examination
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%

Assessment task 4: Research Topic

Intent:

The intent of the research topic is to allow students to develop a deeper understanding of some emerging aspects of the subject material. Telecommunication engineers typically perform research on new technologies and compare them with existing systems.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

F.1

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 30%

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

Recommended texts

Cox, C., "An Introduction to LTE: LTE, LTE-Advanced, SAE, VoLTE and 4G Mobile Communications". 2nd Edition, Wiley, ISBN: 978-1-118-81803-9, 486 pages, July 2014

Stallings W., “5G Wireless: A Comprehensive Introduction”, Pearson, 2021 (ISBN-9780136767145)

Sesia, S., Baker, M., Toufik, I., "LTE - the UMTS long term evolution : from theory to practice." 2nd Edition, Wiley 2011 (ISBN 978-0-470-69716)

Lescuyer, P., Lucidarme, T., "Evolved packet system (EPS): the LTE and SAE evolution of 3G UMTS" Wiley, 2008 (ISBN 978-0-470-05976-0 )

Holma, H., Toskala, A., "LTE for UMTS-OFDMA and SC-FDMA based radio access" Wiley, 2009 (ISBN 978-0-470-99401-6)

References

3GPP standards documents since Release 8, available from http://www.3gpp.org.