ADVANCED MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS - 2023/4
Module code: EEEM018
Module Overview
Expected prior/parallel learning: N/A
Module purpose: Mobile communications systems have been among the fastest growing sectors of the global economy in the past decade and are expected to drive tremendous developments in the upcoming decade. Modern mobile communication systems employ a range of advanced wireless communication techniques and networking technologies/protocols to deliver high rate and high-quality services for a variety of mobile applications. This module aims to cover a number of key advanced concepts that are either used in the modern mobile communication systems or expected to be deployed in the future. Module EEEM018 benefits from Module EEE3007 Data and Internet Networking in relation to Internet protocols.
Module provider
Computer Science and Electronic Eng
Module Leader
TAFAZOLLI Rahim (CS & EE)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 91
Lecture Hours: 11
Tutorial Hours: 11
Guided Learning: 10
Captured Content: 27
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None.
Module content
Indicative content includes the following:
Cellular communication system design and optimisation (Cellular Concept 2G/3G/4G/5G, Cell Planning and Optimisation, Techniques to increase system capacity)
Advanced Modulation and RA (CDMA, Spread Spectrum Techniques, MC-CDMA, Subcarrier Combining Techniques, Peak Power Problem in MC-CDMA, RAKE receivers, Adaptive Modulation Techniques, Channel estimation, Equalisation, MC-CDMA Transceiver Design)
Mobility management in modern access networks (Mobile IP and IP addressing. Network layer issues and Routing, Transport layer protocols (TCP/IP))
Radio Resource Management in modern Cellular Systems (Basic concept and definitions, resource allocation and scheduling techniques, admission control);
Advanced MAC Protocols for Small Cell Systems (Random Access MAC, IEEE802.11x Series, QoS Provisioning in Random Access MAC)
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Coursework | ASSIGNMENT | 20 |
Examination | 2 HR INVIGILATED EXAMINATION | 80 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy for this module is designed to:
· Assess students’ ability to use relevant tools to analyse advanced system level concepts in mobile communications and carry out basic design steps in simulation environments.
· The written exam will assess their understanding of the various advanced communication techniques taught in this module, the underlying principles and their basic working.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of the following.
· 1 written assignment (students will report on their computer-based practical work) within the duration of the module. The estimated time for carrying out the assignment work and writing up report is about 30 hours.
· 2-hour, closed-book written examination at the end of the module teaching during the examination week
Formative assessment and feedback
For the module, students will receive formative assessment/feedback in the following ways.
· During lectures, by question and answer sessions
· During lectures, by electronic voting
Module aims
- The aim of the lectures is to provide key system level knowledge of advanced wireless communication technologies, including important concept in network architectures and system level optimisation of modern wireless systems. The assignment will help the students further investigate some of the key concepts taught in this module and gain deep insight by simulating some of key relevant techniques.
- The module also aims to provide opportunities for students to learn about the Surrey Pillars listed below.
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | Ref | ||
---|---|---|---|
001 | Gain knowledge of evolution of wireless access networks including the cellular systems from 2G-4G and beyond in terms of architecture, air interface, and mobility management, and small cell technologies such as IEEE 802.11x Systems | CPT | M4, M14 |
002 | Analyse the fundamentals of spread spectrum communication systems | KC | M1, M2, M6 |
003 | Describe general concepts of Radio Resource Management (scheduling, access control, admission control, QoS provisioning) in communication networks and relevant analysis and optimisation techniques | CPT | M5, M9 |
004 | Understand the concepts of mobility management in mobile communication systems and report on them in written format | KCPT | M6, M16, M17 |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to achieve the following aims:
- developing students’ knowledge and skills in the field of mobile communications;
- adjusting lectures according to students’ level of understanding;
- promoting active learning and problem based learning; The module includes Wireshark exercises which provide practical experience related to the lectures.
- promoting research informed teaching; The module includes an assignment that promotes research into 5G/6G various topics.
- providing a stimulating educational environment, quiz exercises throughout the lectures
Learning and teaching methods include the following:
Lectures
Tutorials
Assignments: There is one mandatory assignment in this module which includes research and implementation of some of the advanced and key techniques in mobile communication systems. The estimated time for carrying out the assignment work and writing up report is about 30 hours.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: EEEM018
Other information
The EEEM018 module contributes to the Surrey Pillars as follows:
- Sustainability: EEEM018 enables the deep understanding of mobile communication systems (including 4G, 5G and the future 6G generations) that play an important role for the graduates to live and work well, while respecting the Earth’s ecological limits, from the prospective of mobile communication systems.
- Global and cultural intelligence: Mobile phones and communication systems are a global system, and EEEM018 helps to understand its details. Thus this module promotes the critical thinking (with respect to the working of mobile networks) of our graduates as global citizens who can engage effectively and ethically with people from different backgrounds.
- Digital capabilities: The skills that EEEM018 provides, will enable graduates and their organisations to be able to participate actively in society and professional life, within a digital and the connected mobile world, that will play a critical role in providing future services such as driverless cars, remote surgency and smart grid and smart homes.
- Employability: The importance of the understanding mobile communication systems and the related engineering skills cannot be underestimated. As such, EEEM018 provide professionally focused learning (e.g. learning practical skills using Wireshark) that nurtures career ready graduates.
- Resourcefulness and resilience: EEEM018 with the gained mobile systems skills helps to produce resourceful and resilient student is able to respond positively and effectively to opportunities, challenges, difficulties and setbacks. Future mobile networks are expected to be large scale and adaptable to cater for varying user demand and security threats. EEEM018 will help with deep to understand the enabling technologies for future mobile networks.
Programmes this module appears in
Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
---|---|---|---|
Electronic Engineering with Space Systems MEng | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Computer and Internet Engineering MEng | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Electronic Engineering with Nanotechnology MEng | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Electrical and Electronic Engineering MEng | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Electronic Engineering MEng | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Electronic Engineering MSc | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
5G and Future Generation Communication Systems MSc | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
RF and Microwave Engineering MSc | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Communications Networks and Software MSc | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Electronic Engineering with Computer Systems MEng | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.