Instructor: Ehsan Aryafar
Time and Location: Tuesdays and Thursdays; 14:00 - 15:30; FAB 46
Office Hours: Thursdays; 16:00 - 17:00; FAB 120 - 11
Course Description and Objectives:
This course contains both introductory and advanced topics in wireless networking and mobile computing. The first half of the course contains fundamental wireless networking concepts such as PHY, MAC, Routing, and Transport Layers with particular emphasis on 802.11 n/ac. We will also briefly overview higher frequency MAC and PHY aspects of 802.11 ad. In the second half of the course, we will explore some of the most important advanced topics in wireless networking in a seminar format. We will cover topics such as full duplex wireless networking, wireless autonomous systems (such as connected cars or UAVs), heterogeneous networks, and mmWave systems. The goal of this part of the course is to introduce students to advanced wireless networking concepts, and wireless networking research methodologies such as problem formulation, literature research, scientific experimentation, and performance evaluation.
Prerequisites:
Students are expected to be familiar with a programming language (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C/C++) to analyze data and plot the results. Students should be comfortable with reading scientific papers (Here is a guide to read a scientific paper).
Course Material:
Required and Reference Textbooks: The course has no required textbook. The course is based on lecture notes and a list of research papers from recent conferences and journals, both will be provided by the instructor. The following textbooks can serve as reference:
1. "Wireless Communications" by Andrea Goldsmith;
2. "Next Generation Wireless LANs: 802.11n and 802.11ac" by Eldad Perahia and Robert Stacey;
3. "Computer Networks" by Andrew S Tanenbaum
Schedule: Tentative schedule of the course.
Project: List of projects and their descriptions.
All homework (protocols assignments and paper reviews) are due exactly one week after they are announced and should be received before the class starts. No points will be given to late homework.
Course Structure and Grading:
Class Participation: 10%
Protocol Assignments: 10%
Paper Reviews and Presentation: 20%
Mid-term exam: 20%
Course Project: 40%
Protocol Assignments: There will be two protocol assignments. The assignments may require designing a new protocol, applying mathematical concepts to a protocol, or simulating a protocol.
Reviews and Presentation: In the second half of the course, students will be provided with two papers every week. You will be asked to read the papers and write a short review for one of them (1 page) and explain the important aspects of the paper (central idea, strengths, and weaknesses). The review format will be provided to the students beforehand. There will be three of such review assignments. Each student will also do a single oral presentation of one of the papers.
Mid-term Exam: There will be one in-class midterm exam (tentatively scheduled for Tuesday October 31st). The exam will be based on the topics that are covered in the class. The exam will be open-book and open-notes.
Course Project: List of suggested course projects will be announced in early October and should be finalized (through confirmation by the instructor) by the end of October. There will be a project report and project presentation by the end of the course. Students can choose from a variety of course projects, including simulations, implementations, and paper survey.