Units: 12

Prerequisites: 18-396 Signals and Systems, or an equivalent introductory course in signals and systems;

36-217 Probability Theory and Random Processes, or an equivalent course in probability and random processes

UNDERGRADUATES WELCOME

Class Schedule: M-W 12:30pm - 2:20pm, SH212

Instructor:
Prof. Daniel D. Stancil
REH229, x8-3607, stancil@cmu.edu
Office Hours: 3:00pm -5:00pm, Monday

Teaching Assistant:
Jay Kapur
HHA301, jkapur@andrew.cmu.edu
Office Hours: 4:00pm-6:00pm, Tuesday

Course Secretary:
Ms. Lydia Corrado
HHB205, x8-3576, corrado@ece

Course Textbook: Wireless Digital Communications: Modulation and Spread Spectrum Applications, by Kamilo Feher, Prentice-Hall, 1995, plus other selected readings

Handouts: Extra handouts will be placed in a filing cabinet just outside of Ms. CorradoÕs office (HHB205)

Grading: Homework (~biweekly) 50%

Because a large part of the learning experience comes from interaction with your peers, students are encouraged to discuss assignments with each other. However, all material handed in for grading must be the product of individual efforts.

The demand for wireless products is growing at an impressive rate: cellular telephoney, wireless internet access, low earth orbit satellite, PCS, CDPD, wireless LANS, pagers, wireless cable (MMDS) and the list goes on and on. This demand for newer and better products has created the need for engineers who are knowledgeable and skilled in the unique research and design issues encountered in developing wireless communications systems. In this course, we will survey wireless system design with an emphasis on what are often referred to as Òphysical layerÓ topics: cellular system techniques and capacity, radiowave propagation and coverage, modulation formats and efficiency, RF system design, signal processing issues and coding techniques, and multiple access techniques. Cellular telephone systems and the Global Positioning System will be used as examples to illustrate these concepts.

The emphasis will not be on an in-depth exploration of the above topics individually. Instead, the goal will be to gain a working knowledge of basic concepts and how they fit within the framework of wireless communications system design and implementation. Research and design work in any particular aspect of wireless communications cannot be successfully performed without such a system-wide understanding. Along the way, courses will be identified in which students can gain in-depth expertise for each of these particular topics.

1. Introduction to Wireless Systems

-History

-Examples

-Wireless System Overview

2. Cellular Concepts

-System Architecture

-Handoff Strategies

-Noise, Interference, and System Capacity

3. Radio Wave Propagation

-Wave Propagation in Free Space

-Basic Antenna Concepts

-Physical Propagation Models

-Probability of Outage

4. Modulation Techniques

-AM, FM, PM

-BPSK, QPSK, GMSK, QAM

-Spread Spectrum Techniques

5. Improving System Performance

-Coding

-Diversity

6. Multiple Access Techniques and Protocols

-Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA)

-Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)

-Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)

-Collision Sense Multiple Access (CSMA)

7. Satellite Systems

-Geosynchronous

-Low earth orbit (LEO)

-Medium earth orbit (MEO)

8. Cellular and Wireless Systems

-GSM

-American Digital Cellular (IS-54)

-CDMA (IS-95)

-Global Positioning System (GPS)