| Unit name | Mobile and Wireless Communications |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EEMEM0013 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Armour |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
“Communication Systems and Spectral Analysis” or equivalent |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
We all rely on wireless and mobile communication technologies as part of our everyday modern existence. Whilst as users of the service we may tend to take these things for granted, someone must design and implement these technologies. Demand for data services has grown exponentially since the inception of the internet and this trend shows no sign of abating and so someone will also need to design the technologies of the future which make sure that access to data continues to provide for our needs. Maybe that will be you? This unit will prepare you for such a challenge, teaching you about the technologies you already use and maybe take for granted – things like WiFi and 5G might be good examples - how they meet current challenges and how those challenges may evolve in the future as well as how you might solve those future challenges.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit is mandatory for the relevant PGT programmes of study and optional on undergraduate programmes. This unit is the culmination of wireless themed content taught at earlier stages of study. It will give you a strong grounding in the demanding challenges that current wireless technologies address as well as how current systems solve these challenges. These solutions are taught in terms of general techniques and then reinforced by looking critically at a number of familiar real world technologies as case studies. This will equip you to design your own systems, whether as part of a research project in your current degree, a PhD or work in industry.
An overview of content
The unit introduces the challenges for mobile and wireless communications, particularly the need for efficiency and what constitutes success. The unit then addresses how these problems are solved at two ‘layers’: ‘Physical’ and ‘Data Link’. At the Physical Layer the unit covers the methods we use to communicate data between two devices through complex and challenging wireless channels. At the Data Link Layer the unit addresses how the network can be designed such that many devices can successfully share one channel.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will gain in-depth understanding of algorithms, protocols and signal processing technologies underpinning contemporary wireless networks and today’s mobile internet. You will understand that different applications have different requirements, and that there is rarely (if ever) a single best solution when it comes to design of wireless systems. You will be able to understand the trade-offs between performance, reliability and other service quality metrics. You will be able to analyse existing mobile and wireless technologies to identify their good and bad points (whilst they do work for our purposes, existing systems have many flaws). You will also be able to design new systems for new and different scenarios.
Learning Outcomes
Having completed this unit, you will be able to:
The unit will incorporate a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities, including lectures, problem classes, worked example classes, self-directed exercises and self-directed study.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
During the unit, you will have the opportunity to attempt a number of design tasks in the classroom, typically addressing small (‘toy’) scenarios as examples of more realistic, larger scale problems. You will also have access to a number of online quizzes. You will be able to attempt the quizzes as many times as you wish and you will receive feedback upon submission which will guide you toward reflective self-improvement.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit will be assessed by a single exam. The exam will assess all Learning Outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
Re-assessment takes the same form as the original summative assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EEMEM0013).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
