Mobile communication systems

After basics are introduced, contemporary 3GPP standards are covered, with emphasis on 4G (LTE), 4G evolutions (LTE Advanced) and 5G (New Radio). In this part, key aspects of both radio access network and core network parts of the standards are considered.

Finally, recent technology developments from the newly developed 5G NR standard beyond terrestrial human-centric communications are approached, including machine-centric communications and non-terrestrial networks, among others.

Course contents

• Introduction
• LTE Radio Access Network and Core Network (4G)
• LTE Advanced and its evolutions (4G+)
• New Radio (5G)
• Beyond human-centric communications (4G+, 5G and 5G+ verticals)

Learning outcomes

After the course the students

• can recognise the evolution path of mobile network standards, with focus from 4G to 5G and beyond
• can identify the different target goals of 4G/5G classes of services and recognise the requirements that use cases impose into the development towards 5G and beyond
• is aware of the network architecture and the key technological components of 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR) standards, with emphasis on the radio access network and the key aspects of the core network
• knows the tools that can be used for the planning of mobile networks deployments and use them to compute link budget in 4G and 5G cellular systems
• can analyse publications from different sources dealing with beyond 5G technologies and develop communication skills (written and oral) to disseminate group project outcomes.

Completion methods

In-class exercises (30 %), assignments (30 %) and a final examination (40 %)

• Lectures on Mondays at 14-16 and Wednesdays at 12-14
• Exercises on Fridays at 10-12
• Exam 5.12. at 9-12