Communications Networks and Services and Switching

This course describes the principles of Networks with wireless access technologies, and the implications that the special features that this type of access (for example, mobility of users) have in the network protocols. The traditional cellular communication networks (GSM) and their evolution (GPRS and UMTS), and the paradigms coming from the evolution of data networks (IEEE 802, Internet) to support mobility, will be analysed. To achieve this objective, the student must acquire specific knowledge and capacities. The student should meet the following specific objectives: - Understand the specific characteristics of the wireless access and the impact of mobility. - Understand the protocols to support mobility in IP networks. - Understand the standards IEEE 802.11, including aspects related to QoS and security. - Understand the role of the standard IEEE 802.21 to support technology independent handover control mechanisms. - Understand the 4G (EPS), 3G (UMTS) systems and their evolution from 2G (GSM): standardization process, architecture, protocols, and service provisioning. - Understand the 5G networks and the relevant technologies (virtualization, C-RAN and MEC). - Work with the main technologies in the field of mobile communication networks, understanding their components and functionalities. - Design and configure mobility solutions in IP networks to support a group of mobile users. - Configure equipment based on IEEE 802.11 technologies, understanding advanced configuration options. - Design and configure a wireless access solution to support mobile users. - Design cellular communications networks architectures. Additionally, it is expected that the student will be acquire the following: - An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, science, telecommunication technologies and engineering. - An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems - An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. - Ability to access technical literature and understand it.

CB1: Students have demonstrated possession and understanding of knowledge in an area of study that builds on the foundation of general secondary education, and is usually at a level that, while relying on advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the cutting edge of their field of study CB2: Students are able to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the competences usually demonstrated through the development and defence of arguments and problem solving within their field of study. ECRT1: Ability to learn and acquire autonomously the requisite new knowledge for the design, development and utilization of telecommunication systems and services. ECRT12: Knowledge and use of the concepts of network architecture, protocol and communications interfaces. ECRT13: Ability to differentiate the concepts of network access and transport, circuit switching and packet switching networks, fixed and mobile networks as well as systems and applications of distributed networks, voice services, audio, data, video and interactive services and multimedia. ETEGT1: Ability to construct, develop and manage telecommunication networks, services, processes and applications, such as systems for capture, transport, representation, processing, storage, multimedia information presentation and management, from the point of view of telematics systems. ETEGT2: Capacity to apply techniques on which telematics networks, services and applications are based. These include systems for management, signaling and switching, routing, security (cryptographic protocols, tunneling, firewalls, payment mechanisms, authentication and content protection), traffic engineering (graph theory, queuing theory and tele-traffic). tarification and service reliability and quality, in fixed, mobile, personal, local or long distance environments, with different bandwidths, including telephone and data. ETEGT3: Ability to construct, develop and manage telematics services using analytical planning, sizing and analysis tools. ETEGT4: Ability to describe, program, validate and optimize communication protocols and interfaces at different levels in a network architecture. ETEGT6: Ability to design network architectures and telematics services. RA1: Knowledge and Understanding.  Knowledge and understanding of the general fundamentals of engineering, scientific and mathematical principles, as well as those of their branch or specialty, including some knowledge at the forefront of their field. RA3: Design. Graduates will have the ability to make engineering designs according to their level of knowledge and understanding, working as a team. Design encompasses devices, processes, methods and objects, and specifications that are broader than strictly technical, including social awareness, health and safety, environmental and commercial considerations. RA4: Research. Graduates will be able to use appropriate methods to carry out detailed research and studies of technical aspects, commensurate with their level of knowledge. The research involves bibliographic searches, design and execution of experiments, interpretation of data, selection of the best proposal and computer simulation. May require consultation of databases, standards and security procedures. RA5: Applications. Graduates will have the ability to apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems, conduct research, and design engineering devices or processes. These skills include knowledge, use and limitations of materials, computer models, process engineering, equipment, practical work, technical literature and information sources. They must be aware of all the implications of engineering practice: ethical, environmental, commercial and industrial.

This is a wireless and mobile communications course, which covers and analyzes the implications that the particular characteristics of these types of networks have on the different protocols used in the networks. The programme is divided into four parts: FIRST PART (Introduction): The concept of wireless mobile networks is introduced. The different ways in which this functionality has been introduced into the communication networks are reviewed. SECOND PART (Wireless networks): Introduction to the IEEE 802.11 networks. Mobility support in the IEEE 802.11 family. Medium access control in IEEE 802.11. THIRD PART (Mobility in IP networks): Introduction to IP mobility. Introduction to IPv6. Mobile IPv6. Extensions to Mobile IPv6. FOURTH PART (Cellular mobile communications): Introduction to the cellular mobile networks. Cellular mobile networks: first releases (2G/GSM, 2.5G/GPRS and 3G/UMTS), 4G/LTE 5G networks: virtualization in mobile networks (SDN and NFV), C-RAN architectures and MEC.

The teaching methodology includes: (1) Theoretical classes. Students will be provided with the learning objectives to be covered in which lecture and the specific material to prepare it (prior to the actual class). In these classes, the concepts related to the learning objectives are revised and, with the participation of the students, the acquired knowledge will be checked and strengthened interactively. (2) Laboratory classes in computer rooms, where students will configure wireless communication nodes with mobility support, and also end devices. Using traffic supervision tools, students will also analyze the proper operation of the protocols. (3) Exercise solving by the students, which will help them to auto-assess their level of knowledge and acquire the necessary abilities. (4) In-class solution comparison and joint correction to the exercises, which should help to strengthen knowledge and develop the ability of analyze and communicate the information that is relevant in order to solve problems.