Course Description

The course aims to introduce the latest technological developments in real wireless communications, including 4G/5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth systems. These systems are high-performing and represent "state-of-the-art" in many aspects.

A central part of this course is built around the 5G Initial Access (IA) procedure, which explains in detail the steps required for a User Equipment (UE) to find the most suitable neighboring Base Station (BS). The IA procedure is simple and feasible in the sense of educational purposes, but at the same time, it consists of significant communication principles used in downlink and uplink, such as OFDM technique, the need for CP insertion, signals' structure, synchronization, channel estimation, equalization, etc.

The course also covers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies:

An overview of the physical layer of Wi-Fi is given, emphasizing the receiver processing. Topics include time synchronization, frequency estimation, channel estimation, and demodulation. Also, there is an overview of how Wi-Fi has evolved from supporting 1 Mb/s in the 90s to today's generation supporting 10 Gb/s and the next generation targeting 100 Gb/s.

Bluetooth was initially developed in Lund in the 90s. An overview is given of the design's original goals, what happens when a Bluetooth device finds other devices in the vicinity, and how they connect to one another. Most Bluetooth devices today are based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The features of BLE are discussed, and differences and similarities with the original Bluetooth will be explained.

Participants will gain solid knowledge concerning the principles, concepts, functioning, performance, and limitations of such systems.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade, the student must:

• demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of contemporary and emerging mobile communication systems
• critically analyze and evaluate modern mobile communication systems from both current implementation and future development perspectives

Competences and skills
For a passing grade, the student must:

• identify, formulate, and solve complex problems within multi-user communication systems
• propose technical solutions based on 5G/LTE principles and emerging 6G concepts that meet specified performance requirements
• work independently and creatively on advanced projects, presenting and defending conclusions through clear oral and written communication

Judgment and approach
For a passing grade, the student must:

• demonstrate ability to make informed judgments considering relevant scientific, social, and ethical implications of wireless technologies

Contents

Introduction to OFDM technique in real systems and why certain design choices are made:

• Advantages: orthogonal harmonics, relation to FFT, channel influence, cyclic prefix insertion, throughput calculation referring to the theoretical capacity
• Limitations: Inter-symbol-interference, carrier frequency offset, inter-carrier-interference, peak-to-average ratio problem for OFDM signals

4G/5G:

• Signals' structure: time-frequency structure, reference signals, channel estimation
• Overview of system architecture: different channels, control signals
• Multi-antenna transmission and beamforming
• Initial Access procedure: synchronization signals, cell-identity calculation, reading broadcasting information, cyclic redundancy check

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth:

• Overview of the systems, evolution history, time-synchronization, frequency estimation, channel estimation, and demodulation

Invited talks regarding the advancement of 5G and beyond:

• Industrial speakers from Ericsson and Volvo will present their vision on the current systems challenges and future evolution trajectories

Examination Details

Credits: 5.5
Grading scale: (3,4,5) - (Satisfactory, Good, Excellent)
Assessment: Written exam (5 hours). Approved laboratory work is required to pass the course.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may provide alternative examination formats to ensure equivalent assessment for students with permanent disabilities.

Computer Laboratory Sessions Details

Credits: 2.0
Grading scale: UG
Assessment: Approved laboratory work

Admission

Required prior knowledge: ETT051/EITG05 Digital Communications. EITN75 Wireless System Design Principles.
Enrollment limit: 40 students

Reading List

• Erik Dahlman, Stefan Parkvall, and Johan Sköld: 5G NR: The Next Generation Wireless Access Technology. Academic Press, 2018, ISBN: 9780128143230
• Note: Supplementary materials covering 2024-2025 developments and 6G research will be provided during the course

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinator: Aleksei Fedorov, aleksei.fedorov @eit.lth.se
Course teaching assistant: Aleksandar Birmancevic, aleksandar.birmancevic @eit.lth.se
Course homepage: course/eitp30