Wireless Communications and Mobility

Teaching Methodologies

In lectures, the teacher exposes the elementary concepts associated with the existents wireless communication
systems (expository). In practical laboratory classes is privileged direct contact with real scenarios and existing
technologies. Students have to perform in groups, three practical assignments and a project of medium complexity.
Evaluation: The final grade is obtained from the following components: Written exam (WEx) to be held at the end of
the semester and Practical Work that includes a microproject (PW). The Final Grade (FG) is the weighted average of
these components according to the equation FG = 0.7 x 0 WEx + 0.3 x PW.
The approval in this curricular unit requires the achievement of at least 9.5 values in the FG (on a scale of 0 to 20
points), being necessary to obtain a minimum mark, equal to 8.5 (on a scale of 0-20) on the written final
examination.

Learning Results

Learning Objectives: Acquire knowledge in radio technologies, namely in mobile cellular systems, wireless
networks and global navigation satellite systems.
Generic skills: Ability to analyze and synthesize; ability to develop work independently and in teams, ability to apply
technical knowledge to develop wireless communication solutions and radio localization applications, ability to
communicate verbally and written in Portuguese.
Specific Skills: Know mobile cellular communication systems and wireless networks basic principles; know the
principles underlying electromagnetic waves propagation; understand and apply propagation models to evaluate
wireless systems coverage area; design and develop communication applications over mobile systems and/or
wireless networks using micro-controllers; develop radio location applications using GPS receivers.

Program

1. Introduction to wireless communication systems.
2. Electromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic wave propagation fundamentals and mechanisms; wireless
channel propagation models.
3. Cellular systems: cellular concept and frequencies reuse; multiple access techniques; interference versus
system capacity; radio resource management; handover and mobility management.
4. Mobile communication systems: GSM; GRPS and EDGE; UMTS and HSDPA.
5. Trunking theory: traffic metrics; call arrival and call duration distributions; Erlang B and Erlang C formulas.
6. Global Navigation Satellite Systems: GPS and Galileu systems overview; satellite orbits and constellation
fundamentals; location and navigation by satellite fundamentals; NMEA protocol.
7. Wireless data networks: WLANs based on the IEEE 802.11.x. family protocol; WPANs based on IEEE 802.15.x;
WMAN introduction to the WiMAX.
8. Proprietary radio solutions and applications.

Curricular Unit Teachers

Internship(s)

NAO