Wireless and Mobile Networks

The course Wireless and Mobile Networks offers a comprehensive and structured study of the principles, technologies, and architectures that underpin modern wireless communication. Designed for Master’s-level students, it combines theoretical rigor with practical insights to prepare learners for both advanced research and professional practice in the field of telecommunications.

The course begins with a review of fundamental concepts, introducing essential definitions such as transmitter, receiver, channel, modulation, spectrum, and bandwidth, while emphasizing the physical and regulatory constraints that shape wireless systems. It then examines the different types of wireless communication networks, from short-range personal area networks (PANs) to large-scale global systems, demonstrating how range, capacity, and application requirements dictate design choices.

Subsequently, the course explores modern wireless communication systems, tracing the evolution from 2G to 5G and highlighting enabling technologies such as Massive MIMO, beamforming, and satellite constellations. Emerging paradigms like network slicing, edge computing, and IoT integration are analyzed as critical stepping stones toward future 6G networks.

A dedicated focus is placed on wireless and mobile networks, clarifying the distinction between the two and showing how mobility management enables seamless connectivity in dynamic environments. The cellular concept and architecture are studied in depth, including frequency reuse, handover mechanisms, and the layered organization of user equipment (UE), radio access networks (RAN), and core networks (CN).

The course culminates with a detailed study of base stations and frequency bands, emphasizing the trade-offs between low-, mid-, and high-band spectrum in terms of coverage, capacity, and deployment strategies. Real-world use cases, such as multi-band 5G networks, provide context for applied understanding.

By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze, evaluate, and design wireless and mobile networks while critically addressing challenges such as spectrum scarcity, deployment costs, energy efficiency, and security risks. This course thus establishes a solid foundation for exploring advanced topics in 5G, 6G, and beyond, equipping students to innovate within the rapidly evolving domain of wireless communications.