Advanced Mobile Connectivity

The course aims to provide students with a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts, key issues, and underlying technologies of modern mobile communication networks. Particular emphasis is placed on the architectures and protocols of LTE and 5G systems, as well as the main evolutions of mobile networks. Additionally, the course introduces key technologies designed for efficient and reliable connectivity in the Internet of Things (IoT).

Expected Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

• Know the core concepts and open challenges in mobile connectivity.
• Understand the fundamental characteristics of architectures, technologies, and protocols in mobile networks.
• Gain knowledge of the primary mobile connectivity technologies tailored for the Internet of Things.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding

• Analyze the architecture and operational behavior of a mobile network at a foundational level.
• Correlate the features and performance metrics of different technologies with specific application scenario requirements.

Making Judgments

• Identify the advantages and constraints of various technological solutions concerning specific application scenarios.

Communication Skills

• Describe the core concepts, architectures, and protocols of mobile networks using appropriate technical terminology.
• Illustate the characteristics of the main mobile connectivity technologies.

Learning Skills

• Effectively use technical documentation and primary bibliographic sources to independently deepen knowledge of the topics covered.
• Acquire the necessary background knowledge to understand future emerging connectivity paradigms and solutions.

 Essential knowledge:

• Basic principles of data transmission;
• Multiplexing and switching techniques;
• Fundamentals of network protocols: User Plane and Control Plane.

Recommended knowledge:

• Principles of source and channel coding;
• Relationship between the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the bit error rate (BER);
• Multi-layer modulation techniques;
• Traffic and queuing theory.

Class attendance is not compulsory but is strongly recommended.

1. Introduction to Mobile Networks

Classification, motivation, and requirements of mobile networks. Evolution of mobile networks and services. Mobile network architectures. Radio resource sharing.
[Lectures: 5 hours – Exercises/Lab: 2 hours]

2. Fundamental Principles and Key Issues in Mobile Networks

Radio channel and propagation models. Review of digital modulation schemes and channel coding. Cell sizing and dimensioning. Multiple access techniques in broadcast channels. Radio planning: network coverage and capacity. Mobility management: cell selection and reselection, location management, handover.
[Lectures: 9 hours – Exercises/Lab: 8 hours]

3. Operational Mobile Network Standards

Architectures, protocols, quality management, and security procedures for GSM, LTE, and 5G.
[Lectures: 14 hours – Exercises/Lab: 5 hours]

4. Connectivity for the IoT

NB-IoT, LTE-M, RedCap5G.
[Lectures: 7 hours – Exercises/Lab: 0 hours]

Student learning will be evaluated through an oral examination. The oral exam consists of three questions covering the topics included in the course syllabus. Students will be evaluated based on their depth of knowledge and clarity of expression.

• How is the distance of a mobile user from its connected base station determined? Is there a specific protocol or mechanism?
• What are the QoS attributes in LTE systems?
• How is the Location Updating procedure performed?
• Describe the LTE network architecture.

·        Describe the main characteristics of NB-IoT.

·        Security procedures in mobile connectivity.

A more extensive list of potential examination questions can be found on Studium, under the course documents section.