EEL 6597 - Wireless Network Architectures and Protocols

Prereequisites by Topic: Basics of data communication, networks, and wireless communication

Goals:

Does "wireless" mean "less wires" or "no wires"? What are 1G, 2G, and 3G wireless systems? Are there any differences between wireless, mobile and cellular systems? What are the air interface protocols? Do you know the evolution of cdmaOne to cdma2000 and w-cdma and various other major mobile radio systems such as IS-54/IS-136/TDMA and GSM, What are the current standards and status of wireless networks (voice/data)? Why is mobility management one of the most important issues? What is handover and what are the strategies for mobility management for future generation networks? What is an ad hoc network and how is it different from wireless LAN or sensor networks? This course will introduce you to these topics and address many other questions you may have on the subject of wireless networks.

• Wireless Communications and Networks (2nd Edition) , W. Stallings, Prentice-Hall, 2005,
  ISBN# 0-13-191835-4.

Office Phone: (813) 974-4769; Office Location: ENB 368
E-mail: sankar@eng.usf.edu

Course Homepages:

• USF Web Portal (password-protected site)- https://my.usf.edu (access myUSF Online and Blackboard)
• Mirror site: http://www.eng.usf.edu/~sankar/course/wnet.html

Topics:

• Overview of Wireless Systems and Standards; Historical Perspectives
• Transmission Fundamentals
  Signaling, Medium, Multiplexing
• Network Fundamentals
  Switching, Protocols, OSI model
• High-speed Networks (ATM) and Internet (TCP/IP)
• Wireless Communication Fundamentals
  Spectral allocation, Cellular concept and frequency re-use, Co-channel interference, System capacity
• Physical Layer
  Antennas and propagation characteristics, Mobile radio fading channels, Modulation and coding
• Multiple Access Control
  TDMA, FDMA, SDMA, CDMA
• Network Layer
  Mobilty management, Handoff and Location management, Channel allocation and Call admission, Network signaling, Registration, Roaming, Traffic engineering, QoS metrics and management
• Cellular Networks
  1G/2G/3G - TDMA, CDMA and GSM systems
• Wi-Fi and Wireless LANs (IEEE 802.11 standards and HIPERLAN)
• WPANs and IEEE 802.15 standards
• WiMAX and IEEE 802.16 Broadband Wireless Access Standards
• Ad hoc and Sensor Networks
  MAC and Routing Protocols
• Other Wireless Networks
  Satellite, Cordless systems and WLL, Broadband systems (LMDS,MMDS,wATM)
• Wireless Internet
  Mobile IP, WAP

The final course grade will be based on
• Homework Exercises - 10%
  
• Technical Paper Study (Review and Report) - 30%
  
• Project (Software or Design) - 35% 
  
• Exam - 25% (tentatively Mar 20 (Mon))

The new grading system of PLUS/MINUS options for the letter grades WILL NOT be used in this course as per EE Department policy.

Academic Policies

Homework Policy: Homework exercises will be assigned regularly. Everyone is recommended to do the homework earnestly since it will be a good preparation for the exam and it must be personal effort.

Attendance Policy: Class attendance is NOT mandatory but the probability of success (i.e., securing a good grade) in the course is very low for a stundent with sporadic attendance record.

Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the second class meeting.

Exam Policy: All exams are closed books and notes. One page reference sheet for formulas and definitions is allowed but NO homework or any other worked out examples. There will be NO MAKE-UP for a missed exam without prior approval from the instructor (with sufficent advance notice given) except in the case of a documentable medical emergency.

Academic Dishonesty Policy: Students are reminded that the Department policy dictates that any form of cheating or plagiarism will result in a "FF" grade in the course and further suspension or expulsion from the University with NO warnings given. Receiving or providing help on exams and not submitting individual work on assignments and project are forms of cheating; Submissions that are "identical" in any way are clear evidence of cheating. Copying materials from textbooks and papers without properly referencing them or not giving due credit are forms of plagiarism. It is the student's responsibility to review and understand USF and EE Department policies and procedures on Acdemic Conduct, Dishonesty, and Disruption.