Module: Wireless/Mobile Communications

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Wireless/Mobile Communications
Module Code	EEN1043 (ITS: EE452)
Faculty	Electronic Engineering	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

The aim of the module is to introduce the students to the design of wireless networks and in particular to illustrate the differences between fixed and mobile voice and data networks. The design of cellular networks will be motivated in terms of the properties of wireless signal transmission. GSM, GPRS, and UMTS cellular networks will be used as examples of cellular network technology. Medium access control for packet oriented wireless networks will be discussed with examples from data-oriented network technologies such as WiFi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMax (IEEE 802.16 family) and Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15). Quality of Service support for these policies will be presented.

Learning Outcomes

1. Calculate loss for radio signals using various loss models.
2. calculate and compare the performance of various signal modulation techniques, describe spread spectrum techniques, and calculate spreading codes using different methods.
3. derive a cellular coverage system using a basic loss model.
4. Describe the principles of mobility and handover, and compare the performance of various handover techniques.
5. Describe the protocols and architectures of various cellular and wireless networks including GSM, GPRS, UMTS, WiFi, WiMax, and Bluetooth.
6. Describe Quality of Service support for various wireless networks and assess basic performance parameters.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	36	No Description
Assignment Completion	40	simulation assignment
Directed learning	3	No Description
Independent Study	109	No Description
Total Workload: 188

Section Breakdown
CRN	11029	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sobia Jangsher	Module Teacher	Muhammad Intizar Ali

Section Breakdown
CRN	11822	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sobia Jangsher	Module Teacher

Section Breakdown
CRN	21307	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sobia Jangsher	Module Teacher

Section Breakdown
CRN	21506	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sobia Jangsher	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Project	NS-2 simulation assignment	25%	Week 30
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	75%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

introduction
review of basic networking principles such as layered architecture and connection-oriented vs. connectionless service. Summary of major issues differentiating wireless and wired networks: radio transmission, mobility and handover, connectivity.

radio transmission
antennas and propagation, loss models, signal encoding.

cellular systems
design of cellular systems based on a simple loss model. Concepts of channel reuse, signal interference ratio, system capacity.

traffic engineering
Erlang's formula and its application to cellular systems.

cellular networks
basic properties of cellular networks, mobility and handover. Evolution of cellular networks from voice to data oriented traffic. Generations of cellular networks from 1G to 4G illustrated using GSM, GPRS, and UMTS.

data-oriented wireless networks
WiFi, WiMaX, and Bluetooth. Emphasis on MAC layer issues. QoS and Mobility support.

simulation of wireless networks
Introduction to NS-2 and modelling of wireless networks.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

William Stallings: 2005, Wireless Communications, 2, Pearson/Prentice Hall,
William Stallings: 2008, Data and Computer Communications, 8, Prentice Hall,

Articles:

John Scourias: 0, Overview of the Global System for Mobile Communications,

Other Resources

0: GPRS overview, http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/cellulartelecomms/gprs/gprs_tutorial.php, 41970,
0: UMTS overview, http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/cellulartelecomms/umts/umts_wcdma_tutorial.php, 41971,
0: WCDMA, http://privateline.com/, 41972,
0: Bluetooth Tutorial, http://www.palowireless.com/infotooth/tutorial.asp, 41973,
0: The Nuts and Bolts of WiMAX, http://www.embedded.com/columns/technicalinsights/201802589?cid=RSSfeed_embedded_news, 41974,
0: OFDM for mobile and data communications, http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/ofdm/,