Units
Wireless and Mobile Networks
Unit code: INN353
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit provides you with the skills to be able to design and understand the issues involved with different types of wireless communications systems. It develops your knowledge of Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs) and Personal Area Networks (PANs) as well as skills in programming for mobile handsets. You will also develop knowledge of the different types of wireless communications technologies available and when each is most applicable in a particular situation.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
This unit builds on your general knowledge of computer networking concepts and provides a solid, in-depth coverage of a wide range of wireless data communication technologies Wireless users now demand the same rich multimedia services on their mobile devices that they have on their desktop computers. In addition, new services will be added, especially related to their mobility needs for information, such as universal access to corporate data, voice over wireless IP, location-based information services. Technological advances make wireless devices and data services more affordable and powerful. Those possessing the knowledge of wireless and mobile communications and skills to design, deploy, operate and develop wireless systems and networks will be in high demand.
Aims
This unit provides you with the fundamental knowledge of wireless communication technologies and applications, such as radio frequency, data transmission, antennas and propagations. It will cover Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) and Personal Area Networks (PANs), Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), and Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN), Ad Hoc networks and how they are used, deployed and managed. You will also develop knowledge of satellite positioning, wireless positioning and emerging wireless technologies and their applications in business.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate theoretical knowledge of mobile communications networks (GC1, GC4);
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the use and deployment of wireless networks (GC1, GC2, GC5)
- Exercise your critical thinking skills by understanding the criteria used to select the appropriate technologies to suit the situation (GC2, GC5);
- Have an awareness of security problems and their management (GC6, GC7);
- Demonstrate effective written communication skills by producing a technical report suitable for an audience of peers (GC3, GC4);
Graduate Capabilities
GC1:-Knowledge and Skills
GC2:-Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3:-Communication
GC4:-Lifelong learning
GC5:-Independence and collaboration
GC6:-Social and Ethical Responsibility
GC7:-Leadership and Change
Content
In this unit you will learn the concepts and the theory underlying the operation of a variety of current and future wireless systems and mobile communication networks. Specific examples of wireless technologies will be studied to provide you with an appreciation of the principles and applications of such technologies and systems. You will also gain an understanding of the design and operating issues to be considered when using or developing applications for such mobile networks, gain skills in the practical deployment and analysis of wireless and mobile communication networks, and gain an understanding of issues that must be considered in the selection of technologies for particular situations. Networks to be explored include mobile, corporate wireless local area networks and personal wireless networks and wide area networks. You can gain an overview of wireless positioning technologies including Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GPS) and applications. Some emerging wireless technologies, such as dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) and radio-frequency identification (RFID) will be briefly introduced.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The weekly teaching activities will normally consist of a 2-hour lecture and a 1-hour workshop immediately after the 2-lecture. You will be expected to demonstrate initiative by reading and understanding the nominated materials and researching relevant materials. The lectures will be used to explain more advanced and complex issues. The workshops will be used to work on quiz and review questions and discussion topics.
Concurrent Teaching
This unit is being taught concurrently with an undergraduate offering of the same subject. University policy permits that postgraduate and undergraduate students attend the same lectures and tutorials. As a postgraduate student you will be required to complete separate or additional assessment tasks and examination questions. For this unit, this means the assessment items will vary. The written assignment will require independent research work to be undertaken. The examination questions will test for a deeper understanding of the subject material.
Assessment
- Summative feedback will be provided to you throughout the semester via the weekly quiz.
- Formative feedback will be provided to you through detailed assessment of your assignment.
- Unit coordinator, lecturer and teaching staff will be available in person at specified times to answer questions regarding the unit material.
Assessment name:
Weekly quizzes
Description:
You are required to complete 15-20 questions during the workshop time (immediately after the 2-h lecture) to demonstrate understanding of acquired knowledge and concepts.
Relates to objectives:
1 to 5
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Weekly (wk 1-12)
Assessment name:
Written Assignment
Description:
Two deliverables to demonstrate acquired knowledge of theory and practicals.
Relates to objectives:
1 to 5
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 6 & Week 12
Assessment name:
Examination (written)
Description:
Based on lecture materials and workshops.
Relates to objectives:
1 to 5
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Exam period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Required Textbook(s)
Mark Ciampa and Jorge Olenewa, Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications, 3rd Edition, ISBN 978-1-4188-3699-3
Recommended Reference(s):
1) Alex Kupper, Location Based Services: Fundamentals and Operation
2) William Stallings, Wireless Communications and Networks 2nd Edition
3) Jim Geier, Wireless Networks, first-step, Cisco Press, 2005 edition
4) Edney, J. and Arbaugh W. A., Real 802.11 Security: Wi-Fi Protected Access and 802.11i, Addison-Wesley, 2004
5) Hardjono, T. and Dondeti, L. R., Security in Wireless LANs and MANs, Artech House, 2005
Other recommended reference material, such as online documents, will be notified at the start of semester.
No extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.
Risk assessment statement
There is minimal health and safety risk in this unit. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 26-Oct-2012
