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Monash University

FIT5187 Wireless networks - Semester 1, 2015

This unit will review the basic concepts of networking technologies and analyse technological aspects of the wireless network. Main topics will include: antenna and propagation for wireless systems, fundamentals of physical layers used in wireless networks, wireless local area networks (WLAN/WiFi), WiMax systems, mobile network technologies (3G and LTE), mesh networks. Unit will also cover advanced topics in wireless networking.

Mode of Delivery

Suzhou (Day)

Workload Requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

  • Two hours of lectures
  • One 2-hour laboratory/tutorial

(b.) Additional requirements (all students):

  • A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

See also Unit timetable information

Unit Relationships

Prerequisites

Fundamental knowledge of computer and communication systems

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Suzhou

Associate Professor Andrew Paplinski

Consultation hours: Wednesday, 4-5pm

Your feedback to Us

Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. The University’s student evaluation policy requires that every unit is evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

For more information on Monash’s educational strategy, see:

www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/ and on student evaluations, see: www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

Based on previous student feedback this unit is well structured and no changes have been made this semester.

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Academic Overview

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will be able to:
  • describe the basic characteristics of layered protocol networking model and wireless mobile systems;
  • understand architecture and signal characteristics of cellular communication systems;
  • understand physical and media access control layers used in wireless technologies for signal encoding, spread spectrum and error control;
  • understand architectures of: WiFi, WiMax, and advanced mobile networking systems like LTE as described in relevant standards;
  • understand concepts behind mesh networks analyse advance topics in wireless networking.

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1 Overview of Wireless Networks  
2 Ethernet and TCP/IP protocols. Internet Practical work assignment
3 Electromagnetic waves and antennas  
4 Wireless LAN Technology Fundamentals Practical work assignment
5 Advanced Aspects of WLAN/WiFi Technology  
6 Physical Layer Fundamentals Practical work assignment
7 Cellular Wireless Networks. 3G technologies  
8 4G/LTE Networks Assignment - Research paper
9 WiMax Networks Practical work assignment
10 Mesh and ad hoc Networks  
11 Wireless Personal Area Networks  
12 Wireless Sensor Networks  
  SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken in SWOT VAC
  Examination period LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning.

Assessment Summary

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Assessment Task Value Due Date
Assignment - Research paper 20% Week 8
Practical work assignments 20% total (5% each) Weeks 2, 4, 6, 9
Examination 1 60% To be advised

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Assessment Tasks

Participation

  • Assessment task 1
    Title:
    Assignment - Research paper
    Description:
    Investigate a paper selected from the journals listed below.
    Write a set of PowerPoint presentations that explains details of the findings/results of the paper.
    Present the paper and answer questions asked by the tutor and students.

    The list of journals available electronically through Monash Library:

        Wireless Networks, Springer
        IEEE Wireless Communications
        IEEE Communications Magazine
        IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications
        IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing
        Journal of Wireless Communications & Mobile Computing (WCMC)
        International Journal of Wireless Information Networks
        Mobile Computing and Communications Review
    Weighting:
    20%
    Criteria for assessment:
    • Correctness and understanding - there may be more than one "right" answer in many cases.
    • Completeness - that you have answered all parts of each question.
    • Presentation - that you have presented your answers using the appropriate method.
    • Use of evidence and argument - you are able to explain your position by using logical argument.
    Due date:
    Week 8
  • Assessment task 2
    Title:
    Practical work assignments
    Description:
    Solve the problems set up in the tutorial and lab manuals.
    4 practical assignments worth 5 marks each.
    Weighting:
    20% total (5% each)
    Criteria for assessment:
    • Correctness and understanding - there may be more than one "right" answer in many cases.
    • Completeness - that you have answered all parts of each question.
    • Presentation - that you have presented your answers using the appropriate method.
    • Use of evidence and argument - you are able to explain your position by using logical argument.
    Due date:
    Weeks 2, 4, 6, 9

Examinations

  • Examination 1
    Weighting:
    60%
    Length:
    3 hours
    Type (open/closed book):
    Closed book
    Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
    None

Learning resources

Monash Library Unit Reading List (if applicable to the unit)
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html

Feedback to you

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:

  • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
  • Graded assignments with comments
  • Solutions to tutes, labs and assignments

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Assignment submission

It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/student-academic-integrity-managing-plagiarism-collusion-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an electronic submission). Please note that it is your responsibility to retain copies of your assessments.

Online submission

Use Moodle for all your online submissions.

Required Resources

Please check with your lecturer before purchasing any Required Resources. Limited copies of prescribed texts are available for you to borrow in the library, and prescribed software is available in student labs.

  • MATLAB (Octave, freely available from http://www.gnu.org/software/octave/ can also be used in most cases)
  • Wireshark, Packet Analysis Software freely available from http://www.wireshark.org/
  • inSSIDder, WiFi Analysis Software freely available from http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/

Other Information

Policies

Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monash’s Education Policies at: www.policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html

Faculty resources and policies

Important student resources including Faculty policies are located at http://intranet.monash.edu.au/infotech/resources/students/

Graduate Attributes Policy

Student Charter

Student services

Monash University Library

Disability Liaison Unit

Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis.

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