ECE6884 - Wireless communications - 2019

This unit introduces the fundamentals of wireless communications and networking. Students will learn about the characteristics of wireless channels, coding, modulation techniques, methods of combating fading including space, time and frequency diversity, multiple access techniques and cellular networks.

A selection of more advanced topics will also be covered including MIMO systems, heterogeneous networks, cognitive and cooperative communications.

At the successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Identify common radio channel impairments such as noise, fading and interference to synthesise theoretical channel models.
2. Determine theoretical error-performance of wireless systems for comparison against practical measurements.
3. Analyse theoretical capacity of wireless communication systems that employ spatial and temporal diversity methods.
4. Design appropriate transmitter and receiver signal processing functionalities for wireless systems and demonstrate its performance on a software defined radio hardware platform.
5. Assess space-time coding schemes that are capable of improving the channel capacity of wireless systems.

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Continuous assessment: 50%

Examination (2 hours): 50%

Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit.

3 hours lectures, 3 hours practical/laboratory and 6 hours of private study per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering