ECE 5610/6600: Wireless Communication Networks

Instructor: Dr. Ferdous Pervej

Email : ferdous.pervej@usu.edu

E-mail Turnaround Time: 24 Hours

Telephone : 435-797-9549 (office)

Office hours : TBA (at least 1 hour dedicated office hour and open-door policy; instructor has open-door policy)

Lecture time : 12:00 - 13:15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Lecture location : EL - 107

Primary Textbooks

Course materials will span largely from different sources. However, most of the materials will be taken from the following textbooks:

  • Andreas F. Molisch, “Wireless Communications: From Fundamentals to Beyond 5G,” 3rd Edition, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2022 (ISBN: 978-1-119-11720-9).
  • Cory Beard and William Stallings, “Wireless Communication Networks and Systems,” 1st Edition, Pearson, 2016 (ISBN: 978-0133594171).

Supplementary materials

Prerequisites:

ECE 5600 - Introduction to Computer Networks (students who wish to enroll in the 5000-level section but did not take ECE 5600 may reach out to the instructor to discuss the prerequisite)

Short Description

This course covers the key topics of wireless communication theory, networks, and protocols. Students will learn various channel models, multiple access techniques, channel estimation, and equalization techniques for wireless networks, as well as protocols for LTE, 5G, Wireless LAN, and PANs. Additional coursework is required for those enrolled in the graduate-level course.

Learning Objectives

This course provides foundations to Wireless Communication Networks, including the protocols for modern real-world networks like LTE, 5G, and wireless LAN. The key objectives are


  • To study the fundamentals of wireless channel
  • Investigate the key performance indicators (KPIs) of networks
  • Study different multiple access, diversity, and spatial multiplexing techniques used in wireless and mobile networks
  • Learn wireless channels estimation and equalization
  • Learn the protocols of real-world networks, such as 4G (LTE), 5G, 802.11 (WiFi), Bluetooth, etc.
  • Emulate practical networks and analyze different KPIs using computer programming (Python/MATLAB)

Additional and Substantive Learning Objectives for 6000-level Students

In accordance with Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), the graduate students who are enrolled in the ECE 6010 section will have additional and substantive learning objectives as listed below.

  • Implement some protocols of different networks (e.g., LTE/5G/Wireless LAN)
  • Learn different optimization techniques for classical wireless communication/networking using MATLAB, Python, optimization tools (e.g., GUROBI, MOSEK, etc.), and/or machine learning.

There will be additional question(s) added to at least two homework assignments and additional requirements in at least one project to achieve the two additional substantive learning objectives listed above.

Course Overview

The course is structured based on three broad categories

  1. Part 1: Overview and technical backgrounds for wireless/mobile networks
  2. Part 2: Fundamentals of wireless communication network system
    • Part 2a: Fundamentals of wireless channels
    • Part 2b: Communication over Single Link
    • Part 2c: Communication over Multiple Links
  3. Part 3: Practical Wireless Networks

We have total 29 lectures, which will tentatively be distributed as follows:


Part 1: Overview and technical backgrounds for wireless/mobile networks ≈ 4 lectures - topics for discussions (tentative ∼ subject to change)

  • Introduction to wireless networking
  • Challenges in wireless networks
  • Wireless system design overview
  • Protocols and reference models
  • Overview of required mathematics
    • Time domain vs frequency domain analysis
    • Random process
    • Probability density function (PDF), cumulative distribution function (CDF), stationarity, ergodicity
    • Correlation (auto/cross correlation function)

Part 2: Fundamentals of wireless communication network systems ≈ 13 lectures - topics for discussions (tentative ∼subject to change)

  • Part 2a - Fundamentals of wireless propagation channels

    • Wireless propagation channels
    • Antennas

  • Part 2b - Communication over single link

    • Modulation, demodulation and need for different diversity techniques in wireless communication networks
    • Channel capacity, coding, and need for different equalizers
    • Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)
    • Multiple antenna communication
      • SIMO, MISO, and MIMO communication

  • Part 2c - Communication over multiple links

    • Multiplexing and multiple access
      • TDMA, FDMA, CDMA, OFDMA
      • Contention-based multiple access
      • Principles of cellular networks**

Part 3: Practical wireless/mobile networks ≈ 12 lectures - topics for discussions (tentative ∼ subject to change)

  • Different generation of cellular networks
    • 4G – Long term evolution (LTE)
      • PHY/MAC layer and 4G core
    • 5G – New Radio (NR)
      • PHY/MAC layer and 5G core
  • Wireless local area Networks (WLAN)
    • WiFi – 802.11 (WiFi 6, WiFi 7)
  • Personal Area Network (PAN) and Internet of Thing (IoT)
    • Bluetooth – Bluetooth low energy (BLE)
    • Zigbee
  • Ad Hoc networks and device to device (D2D) communication
  • Satellite networks**

Policies

Grading Policy

The grade will be distributed according to the following weights:

Item | Weight

Homework (×5) | 30 %

Mini-projects (×3) | 25 %

Research Project | 15 %

Final Exam (Take Home) | 30 %

Late Submissions

Late submissions (homework and projects) will be accepted up to 1 week after the due date with a 30% penalty unless prior arrangements are made.

Grade Challenge Policy

Students who wish to challenge or request that their instructor/TA review their grades on any homework, project, or midterm exam must request within seven days from when the grade was posted. For the final exam, students must request within 24 hours of when the grade was posted.

Course Accessibility

In cooperation with the Disability Resource Center (DRC), reasonable accommodation will be provided for qualified students with disabilities. Please reach out to the instructor prior to the first class (or during the first week of class) to make arrangements. Alternate format print materials (large print, audio, diskette or Braille) will be available through the Disability Resource Center.

DRC Statement

USU welcomes students with disabilities. If you have, or suspect you may have, a physical, mental health, or learning disability that may require accommodations in this course, please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) as early in the semester as possible (University Inn #101, 435-797-2444, drc@usu.edu). All disability related accommodations must be approved by the DRC. Once approved, the DRC will coordinate with faculty to provide accommodations.

Classroom Behavior

Utah State University supports the principle of freedom of expression for both faculty and students. The University respects the rights of faculty to teach and students to learn. Maintenance of these rights requires classroom conditions that do not impede the learning process. Disruptive classroom behavior will not be tolerated. An individual engaging in such behavior may be subject to disciplinary action. Read Student Code Article V Section V-3 for more information.

Academic Integrity – “The Honor System”

Each student has the right and duty to pursue his or her academic experience free of dishonesty. To enhance the learning environment at Utah State University and to develop student academic integrity, each student agrees to the following Honor Pledge:

“I pledge, on my honor, to conduct myself with the foremost level of academic integrity.”


A student who lives by the Honor Pledge is a student who does more than not cheat, falsify, or plagiarize. A student who lives by the Honor Pledge:

  • Espouses academic integrity as an underlying and essential principle of the Utah State University community;
  • Understands that each act of academic dishonesty devalues every degree that is awarded by this institution; and
  • Is a welcomed and valued member of Utah State University.

Academic Dishonesty

The instructor of this course will take appropriate actions in response to Academic Dishonesty, as defined the University’s Student Code. Acts of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to:

  • Cheating: using, attempting to use, or providing others with any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, examinations, or in any other academic exercise or activity. Unauthorized assistance includes:
    • Working in a group when the instructor has designated that the quiz, test, examination, or any other academic exercise or activity be done “individually;”
    • Depending on the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments;
    • Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for oneself, in taking an examination or preparing academic work;
    • Acquiring tests or other academic material belonging to a faculty member, staff member, or another student without express permission;
    • Continuing to write after time has been called on a quiz, test, examination, or any other academic exercise or activity;
    • Submitting substantially the same work for credit in more than one class, except with prior approval of the instructor; or engaging in any form of research fraud.
  • Falsification: altering or fabricating any information or citation in an academic exercise or activity.
  • Plagiarism: representing, by paraphrase or direct quotation, the published or unpublished work of another person as one’s own in any academic exercise or activity without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes using materials prepared by another person or by an agency engaged in the sale of term papers or other academic materials.

For additional information go to: ARTICLE VI. University Regulations Regarding Academic Integrity.