The Wireless Networks subject offers students a structured vision of the systems and technologies that underpin wireless communications in different environments, from mission-critical systems to mobile networks for public use and platforms that operate in unlicensed bands. Through the study of the main standards and their evolution, the subject establishes the foundations that allow us to understand the classification, operation and performance of contemporary mobile and telematics technologies, as well as their role within the global telecommunications ecosystem. This conceptual framework facilitates the connection with theoretical content addressed in other subjects of the degree and prepares the student to analyze, size and apply wireless solutions in real scenarios.
Titular Professors
Professors
Concepts of Signals, Transmission Systems and Telematics.
The purpose of the subject is for the student to understand the fundamental principles that govern the operation of wireless networks and systems, and to develop the ability to apply the techniques of mobile communications and telematics in different scenarios. It also seeks to help students identify and analyze the essential characteristics of the main standards used in mobile communications and short, medium and long-range networks, relating their operating mechanisms to the theoretical concepts studied in other subjects of the degree. In the same way, it aims for the student to integrate this knowledge to solve problems and approaches based on real situations.
The subject is divided into three thematic units:
1. Mission critical systems, where alternatives to deploy corporate networks of closed user groups are studied.
2. Communications in licensed bands for public use, where mobile phone standards currently available are studied.
3. Communications in non-licensed bands, where design possibilities in free bands are studied.
1. Mission critical systems
1.1 System components
1.2 Design and calculations
1.3 Mission critical tecnologies: PMR, DMR, TETRA, LTE-PRO
2. Communications in bands licensed for public use
2.1 Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)
2.2 Evolutions of the GSM: GPRS, HSCSD, EDGE
2.3 Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service (UMTS)
2.4 UMTS Evolutions (HSPA)
2.5 Long Term Evolution (LTE)
2.6 5G systems
3. Communications in non-licensed bands
3.1 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): Wi-Fi
3.2 Radiofrequency Identification. (RFID)
3.3 Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN): Bluetooth, Zigbee, UWB
3.4 Standards for IoT (Internet of Things). LoRaWan, SigFox
The methodology and didactic instruments used are the following:
- Class presentation on the concepts and procedures associated with the module, using the methods applied in the lesson
- Individual study and Project work
- Assessment activities.
The subject is taught once a week, in a single session of 3 hours. For each of the 3 thematic blocks of the subject, a design case is proposed that students will have to solve in groups. Each session consists of a theoretical explanation and practical work on the case of design. Individual exams will also be performed at the end of each of the 3 blocks to guarantee the individual achievement of the knowledge on the part of each student.
The assessment activities of the subject are:
- Exams
- Exercises and tests in class
- Participation in class
- Individual work or group work.
The following will be assessed:
- Technical adaptation of the network design, assessing that the student selects and correctly applies the relevant standards, justifies the choice of technologies and sizes the network in a way that is consistent with the requirements of the proposed scenario.
- Ability to analyse the deployment environment, assessing the identification of real constraints (topography, user density, spectrum availability, regulations) and the quality of the decisions taken to optimise coverage, capacity and continuity of service.
- Integration of the theoretical foundations with practice, checking the explicit relationship between the mechanisms of the wireless standards studied and the solutions applied to the design, as well as the correct interpretation of radio parameters, basic calculations and technical justifications.
- Methodological and formal quality of the work, including clarity of presentation, structure of the document, correct preparation of coverage maps and network diagrams, appropriate use of support tools and accuracy in the final presentation of the project.
The subject provides the student with slides and notes that cover all the lectures during the course.
Molisch. A.,"Wireless Communications: From Fundamentals to Beyond 5G", Wiley-IEEE Press, 2022
Cheng, G., "Wi-Fi 7: Principles, Technology, and Applications", Springer, 2024
Rábanos, H., "Ingeniería de sistemas trunking", Síntesis, 1998
Tabbane, S. "Handbook of Mobile Radio Networks", Artech House, 2000
Dunlop, John, "Digital Mobile Communications and the TETRA System", Wiley, 2013
Huidobro, J.M., "Comunicaciones móviles", Ra-Ma, 2012
Rábanos, H., "Comunicaciones móviles", Centro de Estudios Ramon Areces, 2004
Smith, C., "3G wireless networks", McGraw Hill, 2002
Stefania Sesia, Issam Toufik, Matthew Baker, "LTE, The UMTS Long Term Evolution: From Theory to Practice", 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2011
Theodore S. Rappaport, "Wireless Communications, Principles and Practice, 2nd edition", Prentice Hall PTR, 2002
IEEE Communications Society, "A Guide to the Wireless Engineering Body of Knowledge (WEBOK)", Wiley-IEEE Press, April 2009
Siegmund M. Redl et. al., "An introduction to GSM", Artech House Publishers, 1995
Halonen, T. et. al., "GSM, GPRS and EDGE performance", Wiley, 2002
Andersson, C., "GPRS and 3G Wireless Applications", Wiley, 2001
Holma, H., "WCDMA for UMTS: radio access for third generation mobile communications", Wiley, 2000
Morrow, R., "Bluetooth operation and use", McGraw Hill, 2002
Bahai et al., "Multi-carrier digital communications. Theory and applications of OFDM", Springer, 2004
Ohrtman, F., "Wimax handbook. building 802.16 wireless networks", McGraw Hill, 2005
Nauymi, L., "Wimax. technology broadband wireless access", Wiley, 2007
Hanzo, L., "OFDM and MC-CDMA for broadband multi-user communications, WLAN & broadcast", Wiley, 2003
Maral, G., "Satellite Communications Systems: Systems, Techniques and Technology", 5th Edition, Wiley, 2010