Aim

The aim is to give a comprehensive view of the properties of the wireless propagation channel and discovers how the channel interacts with the rest of the communication system. This includes an understanding of the underlying physical propagation mechanisms, real-time measurements of channel properties, and methods for modeling the measured phenomena.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the student must:

• Have an understanding of the properties of the wireless channel and its interaction with the system
• Have a comprehension of the physical propagation mechanisms and thereby being able to evaluate propagation conditions for a certain scenario
• Have a comprehension of measurements of radio channel properties and methods for modeling these properties.

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the student must:

• Be able to analyse and describe the properties of the radio channel and its interaction with the system, and from this be capable to select appropriate system parameters
• Be able to propose and evaluate methods for using the radio channel in the most appropriate way.
• Be able to write a scentific report about the channel properties.

Judgment and Approach

For a passing grade the student must:

• Have a comprehensive view of how the radio channel interacts with other system blocks in a radio system
• Feel confident in the ability to understand, analyse and describe the properties of the radio channel in order to use it in the most efficient manner.

Contents

The course connects different areas of knowledge within, e.g., radio, digital communication, probability theory, stochastic processes, wave propagation and mathematics. The course covers the following topics:

• Propagation Mechanisms. Free-space propagation, reflection and transmission, diffraction, scattering on rough surfaces, waveguiding, shadow fading. 
• Statistical Description of Wireless Channels. The time-invariant two-path model, time-variant two-path model, small-scale fading without line-of-sight, small-scale fading with line-of-sight, Doppler spectra, level crossing rate and random FM, large-scale fading
• Wideband Channel Characterization. Narrowband vs. wideband systems, system-theoretic description of propagation channels, the WSSUS model, description methods for time dispersion, description methods for angular dispersion
• Channel Models. Narrowband models, wideband models, spatial models, deterministic models, models for ultra-wideband channels 
• Channel Sounding and Measurement Techniques. Time-domain methods, frequency-domain methods, generalizations, spatially resolved methods
• Antenna Aspects in Wireless Systems. Requirements for antennas in mobile radio, antennas for mobile stations, antennas for base stations, aspects of multiple antenna systems.
• Report Writing. How do you author a scientific report in the area.

Examination Details

Grading scale: TH
Assessment: Exam (oral or written, maximum of 3.5 or 5 hours) and approved assignment reports. The performance assessment is based on the exam, which might be oral or written. To pass the course the assignment reports also have to be approved. The three assignments are to be solved in pairs of two students as independent work. These assignments include planning of measurements, assessing the measurements, analysing the data and writing a report. Submission of all assignments is a requirement for participation in the exam.