Checking date: 20/01/2025


Course: 2024/2025

Communications technologies for a connected society
(18514)
Bachelor in Mobile and Space Communications Engineering (Study Plan 2019) (Plan: 442 - Estudio: 217)


Coordinating teacher: GONZALEZ SERRANO, FRANCISCO JAVIER

Department assigned to the subject: Signal and Communications Theory Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
1. Access Networks and Shared Media. 2. Digital Communications.
Objectives
The main objective of this course is to provide the student with an overview of the different communication technologies for the connected society, with special emphasis on aspects related to digital communications: physical and link layers (logical control and medium access). To achieve this objective, the student must acquire a series of technical knowledge and skills. Regarding technical knowledge, at the end of the course the student must: 1. Understand the relevance of broadband networks, as well as their main actors and services. 2. Know the most relevant characteristics of the different physical access media used today. 3. Have an overview of the main communications technologies associated with each transmission medium. 4. Understand the transmission mechanisms at the physical level, access to the medium and logical control used in each case and the reasons for their use. 5. Know the main details of the most relevant communication technologies for the connected society. Regarding the capacities, during the course they will work on: 1. The application of the technical knowledge acquired in other subjects related to digital communications and communications networks to the analysis of network access technologies. 2. Teamwork, assuming a certain role and associated responsibilities. 3. The identification and resolution of problems related to the physical and link layers. 4. Efficient and effective communication of technical information. 5. The recognition of the need for continuous learning, obtaining the necessary information to deepen specific aspects of a certain technology already studied or analyze a technology not studied from different bibliographic sources: web pages, books, technical reports, articles, standards, etc. Critical analysis and contrast of the information obtained. 6. Knowledge of the main current communication networks and the most important access technologies to them.
Learning Outcomes
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 design, development and utilization of telecommunication systems and services. ECRT5: Ability to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different alternative technologies for development and implementation of communication systems, from the point of view of signal space, perturbations and noise and analog and digital modulation. ECRT6: Ability to conceive, develop, organize and manage telecommunication networks, systems, services and structures in residential (home, city, digital communities), business and institutional contexts, responsibility for its set up, continuous improvement, as well as determining social and economic impact. ETEGISC1: Ability to construct, use 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 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. RA2: Analysis. Graduates will be able to solve engineering problems through an analysis process, identifying the problem, recognising specifications, establishing different methods of resolution, selecting the most appropriate one and implementing it correctly. They must be able to use various methods and recognize the importance of social constraints, human health, safety, the environment, as well as commercial constraints. 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. 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. RA6: Generic competences. Graduates will have the generic skills necessary for engineering practice, and which are widely applicable. First, to work effectively, both individually and as a team, as well as to communicate effectively. In addition, demonstrate awareness of the responsibility of engineering practice, social and environmental impact, and commitment to professional ethics, responsibility and standards of engineering practice. They must also have knowledge of business and project management practices, as well as risk management and control, and understand their limitations. Finally, have the capacity for continuous learning.
Description of contents: programme
The programme is divided in 16 topics grouped together in 4 large blocks: Block 1: Introduction. 1. Introduction to broadband networks and access technologies. 2. Broadband services and applications. Block 2: Wired Broadband Access Technologies. 3. Digital subscriber loops (xDSL). 4. Hybrid optical fiber and cable networks (HFC). 5. Passive optical fiber networks (PON). Block 3: Wireless Broadband Access Technologies. 6. Wireless Local Access Networks 7. Broadband Mobile Communication Networks 8. Satellite Communication Block 4: Technologies for the Connected Society 9. Internet of Things 10. Short-range Access Networks: NFC, RFID, Bluetooth, Zig-bee, UWB, 802.15.6. Wearables. 11. Technologies for Remote Areas: LEO Satellites, HAPS, Balloons, Drones 12. Technologies for disaster and security critical areas: TETRA; Military Networks. 13. Technologies for Intelligent Transport Systems: Vehicular networks: V2V, V2I; 802.11p 14. Technologies for Smart Cities/Buildings/Homes: - LPWAN, SigFox, LoRa, NB-IoT - Sensor Networks 15. Technologies for eHealth 16. Emerging Technologies: 6G, LIFI, Quantum-based Communications.
Learning activities and methodology
The learning activities are the following: 1. Master classes. Presentation of the main concepts of each topic. Discussion and clarification of general questions about the concepts acquired by the students during the self-learning process. To facilitate the development of this activity, students will have a set of transparencies and bibliographic references. 2. Team Project. Starting from an application scenario or the needs of the customers/users, the student teams will analyze alternatives and propose a practical solution. The practical sessions will be developed in the form of "collective tutorials" and sessions to clarify doubts. 3. Individual tutorials. Clarification of particular doubts about specific concepts. 4. Preparation of Technical Reports. To evaluate the practices, the students, configured in teams, will prepare a technical report in which they detail the proposed solution for the considered application/scenario. 5. Oral Presentation. Students will make two presentations throughout the course. In the first, they will describe the application scenario, obtain a series of requirements/customer needs, and propose various solutions that must be assessed and compared (Preliminary Design Review). In the second, at the end of the course, they will detail the technical aspects of their solution, and will specify its parameters/dimensions according to the actual customer needs (Critical Design Review) 6. Final Exam. Test in which the level of knowledge of the students will be assessed.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 0
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 100

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Extraordinary call: regulations
Basic Bibliography
  • Devaki Chandramouli, Rainer Liebhart, Juho Pirskanen. 5G for the Connected World. WILEY. 2019
  • Rodolfo I. Meneguette, Robson E. De Grande, Antonio A. F. Loureiro. Intelligent Transport System in Smart Cities: Aspects and Challenges of Vehicular Networks and Cloud (Urban Computing) . Springer. 2019
  • Vlasios Tsiatsis, Stamatis Karnouskos, Jan Holler. Internet of Things: Technologies and Applications for a New Age of Intelligence. Academic Press. 2018
Additional Bibliography
  • Anna Maria Vegni, Dharma P. Agrawal. Cognitive Vehicular Networks. CRC Press. 2016
  • Burak Kantarci, Sema Oktug. Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks for Smart Cities. MDPI AG. 2018
  • Mohamed Gado, Doaa Abd El-Moghith. Li-FI Technology for Indoor Access: Li-Fi. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing. 2015
  • Syed A. Ahson, Mohammad Ilyas. Near Field Communications Handbook. Auerbach Publications. 2011

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.