Digital Communications Telecommunication Systems

The student will acquire knowledge about the principles of contemporary and future mobile communication systems. He/She will learn about the architectures, the main elements and how to design and plan this type of systems. The student will acquire the ability to analyze and design mobile communication systems according to the fundamental quality parameters and requirements. He/She will also be able to evaluate the pros and cons of different technological alternatives. Working in the laboratory the student will become familiar to the instrumentation used in these systems and will acquire the ability to make measurements over real systems and to analyze the outcome of the measurements. Also, the student will be capable of communicating efficiently in written and oral form, the procedure followed to solve problems of design of mobile communication systems.

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. CG1: Ability to write, develop and sign projects in the area of telecommunications engineering aimed at design, development and utilization of telecommunications and electronic networks, services and applications, in accordance with the competences acquired in the degree program, as set out in Section 5 of the corresponding mandate. CG3: Knowledge of basic and technological subject areas which enable acquisition of new methods and technologies, as well as endowing the technical engineer with the versatility necessary to adapt to any new situation. ETEGISC2: Ability to apply techniques on which telecommunication networks, services and applications are based in fixed environments as well as mobile, personal, local or long distance, with different bandwidths, including telephone, radio broadcasting, television and data, from the point of view of transmission systems. 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. 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.

1.- Origin and evolution of mobile communication systems: generations of mobile communications and adaptation to the service requirements. 1.1. Mobile communications: introduction 1.2. Mobile communication systems: historical review 2.- GSM and 2.5G systems: architecture, components and design. 2.1. GSM architecture 2.2. GSM physical layer 2.3. GSM plannification 2.4. 2.5G Architecture 2.5. GPRS, EGPRS 3.- UMTS system: principles, WCDMA, architecture and components. 3.1. UMTS architecure 3.2. UMTS access network: UTRAN 4.- Evolution of mobile communication systems: HSPA 4.1. Enabling techniques for 3.5G 4.2. HSDPA 4.3. HSUPA 5.- 4G mobile communications: HSPA+, LTE, LTE-A 5.1. HSPA+ 5.2. 4G architecture: EPS 5.3. Enabling techniques for LTE 5.4. Access network (E-UTRAN): physical layer 5.5. LTE-A 5.6 LTE plannification 6.- 5G systems 6.1. Enabling technologies 6.2. 5G Architecture: 5G NSA vs 5G SA 6.3. 5G New Radio

Three types of learning activities will be used: theory lectures, problems and practical work in the lab. ECTS credits include the work to be carried out by the student either personally or in groups. THEORY LECTURES (3ECTS) Theory lectures are taught using the blackboard or other audiovisual media in order to illustrate some concepts. In these sessions the theoretical concepts will be illustrated with practical exercises. In these lectures the student will acquire the basic knowledge of the course. It is important to highlight that these sessions will require the initiative and participation from the student (some concepts will have to be studied personally with some indications, particular cases will have to be developed, etc.) PROBLEMS (1 ECTS) The students will be given the problems to be solved in advance. The resolution of problems will allow the student to acquire the concepts taught in the theory lectures in a more applied context and to self-evaluate his/her acquired knowledge. PRACTICAL WORK (2 ECTS) The students will work in the laboratory to generate, measure and analyze the signals of real mobile communication systems using the instrumentation that is of widespread use when implementing and operating mobile communication systems. The practical work will be based on the systems studied in the theory lectures and will contribute to the comprehension of the theoretical concepts and their practical implications.