Architectures and technologies for telecommunication systems
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: SALVATORE RIOLOExpected Learning Outcomes
The aim of the course is to develop skills in terms of knowledge of the fundamental concepts and enabling technologies of IP communication systems for fixed networks. It also aims to give students a critical view of the technological evolution in telecommunication systems and networks.
Knowledge and understanding
By exploiting the knowledge acquired, the student will be able to identify the main problems and solutions that can be adopted in terms of architectures and technologies of communication systems.
Applying knowledge and understanding
The course aims to provide students with: a) knowledge of the main architectures of wired networks and guided transmission media, with particular emphasis on optical fiber; b) knowledge of the issues related to infrastructures of mobile networks and wired networks, both in local area wide area.
Making judgements
In the context of the topics covered in the course, the student will be able to make the appropriate design choices based on specific requests independently. This ability is refined through numerical exercises.
Communication skills
The student will acquire the ability to rationally communicate his knowledge on the topics covered by the course and to correctly use the related technical language.
Learning skills
Students can broaden their knowledge by studying recommended textbooks or scientific papers published in specialized journals, and understand the legislation related to electronic communications and ICT services.
Course Structure
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Basic concepts on mobile networks. Classification, motivation, and requirements of mobile networks.
Radio channel and radio transmissions. Radio channel and propagation.
Radio access. Multiple access techniques in broadcast channels. Duplexing.
Mobility management. Cell selection, location management, handover.
Radio planning. Cellular coverage and network capacity.
Mobile Network standards. GSM, GPRS, UMTS, LTE, 5G.
Voice calls. Speech coding. Multiplexing. Calls over circuit-switched networks. VoIP calls.
Propagation through guided transmission media. Introduction. Propagation on overhead cables, coaxial cables, twisted pair cables, and fiber optic cables.
Structured cabling. Network topology. Campus Distributor (CD), Building Distributor (BD), and Floor Distributor (FD). Passive multiservice physical infrastructure.
xDSL and FTTx technologies. ADSL. HDSL. VDSL. G.Fast. FTTE. FTTCab. FTTB. FTH. PON. FWA.
Wired Wide Area Networks. Optical transmission systems. Optical transmission systems. Telecommunications systems for long-distance terrestrial and transoceanic links.
Textbook Information
[1] Martin Sauter, “From GSM to LTE‐Advanced Pro and 5G: An Introduction to Mobile Networks andMobile Broadband”, IV Edition , John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2021
[2] Christopher Cox, “An introduction to LTE: LTE LTE-Advanced, SAE, VoLTE and 4G MobileCommunications”, 2° Edizione, Wiley.
[3] Christopher Cox, “An Introduction to 5G: The New Radio, 5G Network and Beyond”, John Wiley &Sons Ltd, 2020
[4] Freeman, Telecommunication Systems Engineering. J. Wiley and Son
[5] R. Ramaswami, K. Sivarajan, G. and Sasaki, Optical Networks: A Practical Perspective. Morgan Kaufmann
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basic concepts on mobile networks (6h) | Digital learning materials available on STUDIUM. Book [1] |
| 2 | Radio channel and radio transmissions (3h) | Digital learning materials available on STUDIUM. Book [1] |
| 3 | Radio Access Techniques (6h) | Digital learning materials available on STUDIUM. Book [1] |
| 4 | Mobility management (5h) | Digital learning materials available on STUDIUM. Book [1] |
| 5 | Radio planning (5h) | Digital learning materials available on STUDIUM. Book [1] |
| 6 | Mobile Network standards (23h) | Digital learning materials available on STUDIUM. Books [1], [2], [3] |
| 7 | Voice calls (3h) | Digital learning materials available on STUDIUM. |
| 8 | Propagation through guided transmission media (14h) | Digital learning materials available on STUDIUM. Books [4], [5] |
| 9 | Structured cabling (4h) | Digital learning materials available on STUDIUM. |
| 10 | xDSL and FTTx technologies (7h) | Digital learning materials available on STUDIUM. Books [4], [5] |
| 11 | Wide Area Networks (3h) | Digital learning materials available on STUDIUM. Book [5] |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
There will be also an optional ongoing test with a score that will be taken into account during the final oral examination. Should the conditions require it, the exam could be carried out remotely.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Cell Cluster model.
Timing advance in GSM systems.
Security procedures.
Handover.
LTE Architecture.
EPS Bearer.
Radio interface in 5G systems.
Crosstalk in twisted pair cables.
Attenuation and dispersion in optical fibers.