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Mobile and Wireless Networks and Design (ELEN90013)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2024
Overview
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AIMS
This subject introduces the fundamentals of mobile and wireless network design with a focus on the design and performance evaluation of the Radio Access Network of 2G, 3G and beyond cellular wireless networks. It develops the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the mathematical models of radio propagation, SINR, diversity and queuing that provide the basis for designing and performance evaluation of wireless networks.
It introduces the specific design elements that are common to these networks with reference to the models and develops a framework for students to apply to solving their specific design problem in the project. Practical engineering constraints and requirements including radio and teletraffic performance targets are included in this approach, providing the network performance objective for the design.
In the laboratory, students get hands-on exposure to analysis and design methodologies that are needed for current and emerging technologies and can learn how the modelling and simulation environments can be applied as tools for network design and performance evaluation. There is access to tools in Excel or MATLAB developed within the theoretical discourse that students utilise for their design and problem solving.
Students are exposed to a range of technologies covering GSM/EDGE, WCDMA, HSDPA and LTE and the underlying multiple access techniques of FDAM, TDMA, CDMA and OFDMA. Models of these access technologies are covered and student learn how to apply these along with the propagation and queueing models to the design problems.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This subject provides the fundamentals of mobile and wireless network design. In particular it includes the following topics:
- Introduction to wireless communications;
- Frequency division, orthogonal frequency division, time division and code division multiple access. Frequency division duplexing and time division duplexing;
- The cellular concept, frequency reuse, channel allocation schemes, handoff, call control, interference, C/I analysis, interference limited capacity, sectorisation, system capacity based on call blocking;
- Teletraffic models for cellular mobile networks, Erlang loss function (Erlang B), Erlang delay (Erlang C), M/M/m, M/G/1 Processor Sharing queue and their application to dimensioning cellular communications networks for voice and data, system capacity, demand modelling and performance, Grade of Service and Quality of Service;
- Propagation, free space propagation, basic propagation mechanisms, two ray model, empirical path loss models (Hata, Cost231-Hata, Erceg), log-normal shadow fading, small-scale multipath propagation and Rayleigh fading;
- SNR, sensitivity and link budget calculations, micro and macro diversity to combat fading, calculation of radio coverage for cellular networks: multiple access techniques for cellular communications;
- CDMA system principals & spread spectrum for 3G wireless systems;
- Cellular broadband wireless systems (3G+ and 4G) including simulation models for performance evaluation.
This material is complemented by the use of software tools (e.g. Excel and MATLAB) for computation and simulation, and practical experience with network design.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the skills and knowledge required to understand the fundamentals of the design and evaluation of mobile and wireless networks. It is expected that the student to be able to solve technical problems in the following areas:
The student should be able to perform a basic design of a wireless system for both coverage and capacity for given performance targets. They should also be able to evaluate the coverage, capacity and/or performance of a wireless system.
- Analysis and evaluation of re-use planning via the calculation of key performance indicator such as CIR
- Application and evaluation of propagation models to wireless networks
- Teletraffic modelling and performance analysis for wireless networks
- Dimensioning of wireless networks
- Modelling and design of wireless systems
- Performance evaluation of wireless broadband networks
- Design and evaluation of coverage for wireless networks based on a link budget
- Large and small scale fading mitigation using space diversity techniques
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, the students should have developed:
- Problem solving and analytical skills;
- Critical and creative thinking, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning;
- Sense of intellectual curiosity;
- Ability to interpret data and research results;
- Ability to learn in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies;
- Capacity to confront unfamiliar problems;
- Ability to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature;
- Ability to develop models of practical applications and evaluate their performance by rigorous analytical means.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
4-year Electrical Engineering degree
OR
equivalent
AND
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELEN90057 | Communication Systems | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Credit may not be obtained for both:
ELEN90013 Mobile and Wireless Networks and Design and (431-633) Mobile and Wireless Networks
Recommended background knowledge
Telecommunications Industry
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
An examination
| End of semester | 70% |
A network design project equivalent to 3000 words
| 30% |
Additional details
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1-8 are assessed in the final written examination and the submitted project report.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2024
Time commitment details
200 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Reading:
- H. Holma and A. Toskala, WCDMA for UMTS – HSDPA Evolution and LTE, J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 4th Ed., 2007;
- E. Dahlman, S. Parkvall, J Skold and P. Bemming, “3G Evolution HSDPA and LTE for Mobile Broadband”, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2nd Ed., 2008;
- H. Holma and A. Toskala, WCDMA for UMTS, J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 3rd Ed., 2005;
- H.Holma and A. Toskala, HSDPA/HSUPA for UMTS, J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 2006;
- T.S. Rappaport, Wireless Communications: Principals and Practice, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall, 2002;
- L. Kleinrock, Queuing Systems: Volume 1 - Theory, John Wiley & Sons New York, 1975;
- W.C. Jakes, Microwave Mobile Communications, Wiley-Interscience, 1974.
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject is delivered through lectures, tutorials and a workshop class with a hands-on laboratory activity. The design project provides a problem-based learning activity.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Students are provided with lecture slides, tutorials and worked solutions, introductory and background material and proofs, and list of reference texts.
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
This course is designed and delivered by an industry based expert in the field who brings and industry perspective and industrial experience to the subject.
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024