Module content and teaching

Principal aims

To understand the performance of different wireless networks in modern cities, in the context of: functionality, architecture, resource allocation and mutual interaction. The systems considered include legacy 1G/2G systems, as well as current 3G/4G systems.

Principal learning outcomes

By the end of the module the student should be able to:

• Explain how channels adapt to real world conditions to achieve Shannon capacity subject to a certain quality of service demand.
• Analyse the achievable multiple user capacity of different multiple access schemes.
• Acquire in depth knowledge and explain the architecture of legacy 1G/2G, as well as current 3G/4G cellular and Wi-Fi networks.
• Analyse different cell planning patterns for different cellular network generations and traffic service demands.
• Design networks and analyse their performance through modelling their mutual interference interactions using simulation software and random graph theory for different network deployments.
• Design efficient networks in terms of energy and/or cost.