The course is taught in English. This course introduces the most important state-of-the-art techniques used in modern wireless and wired communication systems. The focus is on the system physical layer of mobile networks, from digital modulation to beamforming. The key techniques of 4G and upcoming 5G are analyzed with the aim of understanding their impact on different applications, and their possible evolution. This course is useful for all students interested to digital transmission, both in the Communications and Computer Networks Engineering Degree and in the Electronic Engineering Degree.

At the end of this course, the students know the key characteristics of the considered communication systems, the most advanced techniques used for wireless and wired systems, and the practical scenarios and applications where they are used. In particular, they have an in-depth knowledge of the physical layer constituent blocks of: OFDM-based systems, 4G-LTE and 5G-New Radio systems. This way, the students acquire the ability to contribute to the design and the management of these state-of-the-art telecom systems.

Basic notions of digital modulations and signal processing.

Main topics of the course: - Review of wireless systems: Digital modulations (PSK, QAM), coding, multiple access schemes, channel models (10 h) - OFDM and modern techniques for wireless and wired systems (20 h) - 4G LTE mobile networks: physical layer (10 h) - New 5G systems physical layer: requirements, applications and technical solutions from modulation to MIMO and beamforming (20 h)

During the course we host seminars and presentations from ICT companies on state-of-the-art topics, offering thesis and internships, too. They introduce students to companies’ vision on current and future systems.

Teacher’s material, available on the course web portal. Suggested books: Proakis-Salehi “Communication Systems Engineering”, Sesia-Toufik-Baker “LTE, The UMTS Long Term Evolution: From Theory to Practice”, Erik Dahlman, Stefan Parkvall, Johan Sköld, “5G NR The next generation wireless access technology” Presentations offered by Telecom companies.

Modalità di esame: Prova scritta su carta con videosorveglianza dei docenti;

Written exam on course’s topics (two hours and seven questions, no books, no notes, highest mark = 30 cum laude). The assessment is made of 6 questions randomly extracted from a list prepared at the end of the course containing about 50 questions. These questions reflect key understanding the students should possess on the studied systems, the constituent blocks of their physical layer, and their most important applications. Each question is evaluated from 0 to 5 points. A seventh question is also proposed, randomly extracted from a restricted list of 10 questions covering proofs and demonstrations of the techniques presented through the course, and is evaluated from 0 to 3 points. The final mark is the sum of the marks obtained with the 7 questions. The students who get at lest 32 are awarded with 30 cum laude. The exam is 2 hours long, closed book.

Modalità di esame: Prova scritta su carta con videosorveglianza dei docenti;

Written exam on course’s topics (two hours and seven questions, no books, no notes, highest mark = 30 cum laude). The assessment is made of 6 questions randomly extracted from a list prepared at the end of the course containing about 50 questions. These questions reflect key understanding the students should possess on the studied systems, the constituent blocks of their physical layer, and their most important applications. Each question is evaluated from 0 to 5 points. A seventh question is also proposed, randomly extracted from a restricted list of 10 questions covering proofs and demonstrations of the techniques presented through the course, and is evaluated from 0 to 3 points. The final mark is the sum of the marks obtained with the 7 questions. The students who get at lest 32 are awarded with 30 cum laude. The exam is 2 hours long, closed book.