ADVANCED 5G WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES - 2023/4

Module Overview

Expected prior/parallel learning: It is helpful but not essential to have knowledge of linear algebra, probabilities and stochastic processes as well as fundamental skills in computer programming and have studied EEEM017 - Fundamentals of Mobile Communications, EEE3006 Digital Communications and EEEM062 – Applied Mathematics for Communication Systems.

 

Module purpose:  The purpose of this module is to provide students with knowledge related to some of the key, advanced concepts adopted in the current generation of mobile and wireless communications systems (e.g., 5G), as well as to advanced concepts that have a strong potential to shape the future generations of mobile systems (e.g., 6G). This will ensure that the students completing this module will have the necessary knowledge and ability for starting to work on the 5G technology in industry or furthering their understanding via a research degree. This module brings together knowledge that students may have acquired in other modules (EEEM017 - Fundamentals of Mobile Communications, EEE3006 Digital Communications and EEEM062 – Applied Mathematics for Communication Systems) and assists in making cognitive and conceptual connections between this previously taught fundamental knowledge in wireless communications, and the corresponding state-of-the-art techniques.

 

Module provider

Computer Science and Electronic Eng

Module Leader

NIKITOPOULOS Konstantinos (CS & EE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None 

Module content

INTRODUCTION TO FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES

What is 5G? – (i.e. what are the drivers of 5G, overview of the candidate technologies and techniques that will shape the future of communication systems)

5G KEY CONCEPT AND TECHNOLOGIES

Advanced Waveforms and Air-Interfaces – (e.g., Multicarrier communications, Modern Transceivers Design, millimetre-wave communications)

Advanced MIMO concepts – (e.g. massive MIMO, multi-user MIMO)

Advanced Precoding and Detection Methods – (e.g., linear, non-linear, soft-input soft-output)

Advanced Multiple Access Methods – (e.g., non-orthogonal multiple access)

 

INTRODUCTION TO DEMONSTRATION AND VALIDATION VIA SIMULATIONS

(e.g. Simulation of advanced MIMO systems, advanced detection/decoding methods)

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to allow the students to show that they have achieved all the intended learning outcomes.

(i) The open book exam will assess the students depth of understanding on the taught material and, in addition, it challenges the students to apply this new knowledge to unseen technical problems in 5G and next generation communications.

(ii) The coursework assignment will allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the taught material together with the digital and other practical skills they gained in the during simulation work. Students will be asked to review the corresponding literature and to write their own code to simulate, validate and evaluate signal processing techniques for current and future wireless communication systems.

The weekly lab sessions and the corresponding assignment are designed to mimic the professional world and the students are constantly challenged with both practical and theoretical problems/questions that contribute to them developing strong problem-solving skills and allows them to appreciate and value collaboration as a means to face challenges.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of the following:

• one 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


• an online open-book written examination at the end of the module teaching    

• During lectures via questions and answers and in class discussion


• By means of unassessed tutorial problem sheets (with answers/model solutions)


• Via assessed coursework


• Feedback from staff present during the programming sessions

Module aims

•  The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to some of the most promising advanced concepts in the field of wireless communications, as well as provide an introduction of the potential gains and challenges when applying them to the next generation of mobile systems (e.g., 5G) .
• The module also aims to provide opportunities for students to learn about the Surrey Pillars listed below.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: 

• Consolidate students’ knowledge and skills obtained in other modules related to wireless communications


• Develop student knowledge regarding the latest physical layer concepts in wireless communications


• Promote active learning and practice-based learning by using concept validation techniques


• Develop digital skills related to the simulation, analysis and evaluation of latest physical layer concepts in wireless communications


• Promote critical thinking and enhance the problem-solving skills of the students


• Engage students with different learning backgrounds and enhance their learning through interaction 

• Lectures discuss to present new material and discuss in class in supporting of student learning of new material


• Tutorials: discuss to problems and solutions which reinforces student’s learning from the lecture material


• MATLAB based IT lab: 10 hours to support students coding skills associated with the module

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: EEEM061

Other information

Digital Capabilities: In this module, the students will apply and develop digital skills that will not only enable them to be part of a digitally connected world but are substantial for the professional development in in particular for the design and analysis of advanced communication systems. In particular, while the students will have access to pre-recorder lectures and digital resources (e.g., books and papers) to enhance their learning, they will also learn how to simulate the performance of wireless communications methods and technologies using Matlab, and how to use these simulations for analysing, comparing and designing advanced existing and new signal processing methods for wireless communication systems. In addition, for the corresponding assignment, they students will need to access digital resources, as well as to write their own code to simulate wireless signal processing techniques.

Employability:  This module introduces the students to key, advanced concepts of the current and next generations of mobile and wireless communications systems, e.g., 5G and 6G mobile radios. This ensures that the students completing this module will have the necessary knowledge and ability to work in wireless communications industry and/or research. In the same context, the design of the assignment is such that mimics aspects of professional life (e.g., collaboration, critical thinking, searching digital resources, developing code for simulations, reflective report writing) further equipping students for a successful career.

Global and Cultural Capabilities: The methods and technologies that are used for 5G systems, and are taught in this module, can be used internationally. In addition, the corresponding mobile and wireless standards are developed through international cooperation. As a result, in this MSc module, the students are typically coming from different countries, and are of diverse cultural, social, and academic backgrounds. The teaching environment actively encourages cultural interaction, with all speakers having a voice in the classroom, especially since most students, including the lecturers, do not have English as first language. To promote such an interaction, in the labs active discussion are promoted, as well as group works with members of different backgrounds. This gives the opportunity to the students to get familiarised with being members of a global environment and to appreciate how the cultural, social and academic differences can be beneficial for the involved members.

Resourcefulness and Resilience:  This is a module, in advanced wireless communications, systems that ensures that the students develop skills that will help them in the professional or academic life. In this direction, at the weekly lab sessions, as well with through corresponding assignment that is designed to mimic the professional world, the students are challenged with difficult problems/questions that contribute to them developing strong problem-solving skills and allows them to appreciate and value collaboration as a means to face challenges.

Sustainability: The students are introduced to the trade-offs between throughput performance, processing latency, complexity and power consumption and they learn how to simulate and evaluate those for methods and techniques that are used in advanced wireless communication systems.

Programmes this module appears in

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.