• 054324 - MOBILE RADIO NETWORKS

• Blended Learning & Flipped Classroom

The goal of the course is to teach students the methodologies for modelling, analyzing, and designing wireless networks. Moreover, the course provides the students the instruments for understanding of the modern standard technologies related to Mobile Radio Networks and Wireless Internet. Each topic related to modelling methodologies is treated both theoretically and practically. The last part of the course related to most recent mobile technologies (5G) will be based on a blended learning approach with some online material provided by the lecturer and a non-mandatory video project where students will be requested to prepare a video on a selected advanced topic. 

The course is divided in two modules of 5 credits each.

Mobile Radio Networks

1         Basics

• Multiple access techniques for radio systems with central channel. 
• Cellular coverage and resource reuse
• Network architecture and functional elements
• Mobility management: cell selection, location management, and handover.

2         Capacity and radio planning

• Mathematical models and algorithms for coverage optimization.
• Mathematical models and algorithms for static frequency assignment.
• Dynamic channel allocation techniques.

3         Performance analysis

• Models for the capacity of CDMA systems
• Traffic models for the performance evaluation at session level.
• Models for the dimensioning of cells and location areas.

4         2G systems (GSM and GPRS/EDGE)

• Architectures, interfaces, physical and logical channels
• Signalling architecture, signalling protocols, network databases, call management procedures, mobility management procedures.
• GPRS/EDGE: radio interface, IP network, interconnection nodes, mobility management, protocol architecture

5         3G systems (UMTS and HSPA)

• Radio access network,
• Core network
• Radio resource management
• High speed packet data services

6         4G systems (LTE and EPC)

• System architecture
• Radio Interface
• Core Network

7        5G systems

• Basic concepts and network architecture
• New radio interface
• Network slicing

Students are required to know the principles of networking and communications systems. They are also expected to have a basic knowledge of traffic models and optimization.

The assessment will be based on a written exam at the end of the course and on additional project activities.

The written exam is based on numerical exercises (2-3), open questions (2-3) on the network analysis and dimensioning models, closed questions (5-7). During classes online quizzes will be also proposed to students at the end of each module and students are allowed to use their score in on-line quizzes skipping the closed questions part at the written exam. The written exam can assign up to 30 points (up to 32 points with the online quizzes). The non-mandatory part of video project on advanced topics can provide additional 3 points.