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ECS 257 MOBILE AND WIRELESS NETWORKS (4) I

Lecture: 3 hours

Independent Study: 1 hour

Prerequisite: Course ECS 252

Grading: Letter; one exam (40%), homework/reports on papers (30%), project (30%)

Catalog Description:
Fundamental techniques in design of second generation wireless networks: cellular network and protocols, medium access techniques, handoff control, signaling and mobility management, wireless data works, Internet mobility and Personal Communication Services (PCS). Third generation wideband systems, novel technologies, adhoc networks. Offered in alternate years.

Goals:
While ECS 252 is the core graduate course in computer networks and deals with the fundamental principles of networking, ECS 257 is devoted to mobile and wireless networks, in particular, on the protocols and architectures of existing and emerging wireless networks. The course will develop the fundamental concepts in wireless networks; the different access technologies, handoff control and mobility management protocols, and existing and emerging applications. Through assignments, and projects, the students will learn the key design issues in wireless networks supporting traditional voice applications as well as Personal Communication Services (PCS) and new multimedia applications. This course will prepare the students to start research in the area of the mobile and wireless networks.

Expanded Course Description:

  1. Preliminaries
    1. Communications networks
    2. Evolution of wireless networks
    3. Satellite networks
    4. Personal Communication Services
  2. Access Technologies
    1. FDMA and TDMA
    2. CDMA
    3. Channel characteristics
    4. Dynamic and fixed channel allocation
  3. Cellular Networks
    1. Cellular network design
    2. Handoff methods
    3. Location Management
    4. Call control and routing
    5. Standards (GSM and IS-95)
  4. Wireless LANs and Local Loop
    1. Wireless LAN Technology
    2. IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN Standard
    3. Bluetooth
    4. Fixed wireless
  5. Wireless Data Services
    1. Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD)
    2. Generalized Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
    3. Mobile-IP
    4. Transport protocols for mobile networks
  6. Next Generation Wireless Networks and Applications
    1. 3G Networks
    2. Wireless ATM
    3. Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
    4. Adhoc networks

Textbooks:
Y-B. Lin and I. Chlamtac, Wireless and Mobile Network Architectures, Wiley & Sons, 2001
T.S. Rappaport, Wireless Communications: Principles & Practice, Prentice Hall 1996

Reference:
Journal papers will be provided during the course.

Design Statement:
Students will design a new network architecture, protocol or algorithm. Alternately, they will design a simulation platform to analyze an existing network architecture, protocol or algorithm to demonstrate creativity while furthering the knowledge in the mobile and wireless networks.

Instructors: D. Ghosal, P. Mohapatra, B. Mukherjee

Prepared by: D. Ghosal (March 2002)

Overlap Statement:
ECS 252 covers basic concepts in wireless and mobile networks in the overall context of computer networks. ECS 257 is an in-depth course in mobile and wireless networks and will be the key course to prepare students interested in research work in this area. 3/02

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