48
Telecommunications
REGGIO DI CALABRIA
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
WIRELESS ACCESS NETWORKS
The course aims to provide theoretical and methodological knowledge, supported by laboratory activities, on the operation and design of the main wireless access network technologies.
In particular, the course examines the operating principles, protocol mechanisms, and design criteria of standards for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) and Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN), as well as self-organizing multi-hop wireless networks, including ad hoc networks, mesh networks, and wireless sensor networks.
By the end of the course, students will be able to understand and analyze architectural and protocol solutions adopted in different application contexts, evaluating their performance and main design constraints.
WIRELESS NETWORKS FOR E-HEALTH
The course aims to provide fundamental knowledge of the operation of the main wireless technologies used in healthcare and biomedical applications.
The course focuses on the operating principles and characteristics of standards for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN), and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), with particular attention to reliability, energy consumption, and scalability aspects relevant to e-health monitoring applications.
By the end of the course, students will be able to understand and assess the suitability of different wireless technologies according to the requirements of specific healthcare application scenarios.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of the protocol suite of telecommunication networks. Basic knowledge of fundamentals of telecommunications.
Teaching Methods
The course as a whole includes theoretical lectures (6 ECTS) and practical sessions (3 ECTS).
The theoretical lectures introduce reference models, protocol mechanisms, and design principles of the main wireless technologies covered in the syllabus.
The practical sessions consist of guided exercises and laboratory activities focused on analyzing protocol operation, evaluating network performance, and configuring wireless networks using software tools for simulation, monitoring, and debugging.
Assessment Methods
The course assessment consists of:
- a project-based test, to be carried out in groups, aimed at verifying the ability to analyze the behavior of protocols and technologies covered in the 3 ECTS dedicated to practical activities, using experimental tools and evaluating their performance;
- an oral exam, aimed at verifying the theoretical understanding of the technologies and protocols covered in the 6 ECTS dedicated to the theoretical part of the course.
The passing of the exam is evaluated according to the following grade ranges:
- 18–20/30: knowledge and skills on the course topics, as well as analysis and synthesis abilities in completing and presenting the project, at an elementary level.
- 21–23/30: knowledge, skills, and analysis/synthesis abilities at a more than sufficient level.
- 24–26/30: knowledge, skills, and analysis/synthesis abilities at a good level.
- 27–29/30: knowledge, skills, and analysis/synthesis abilities at a more than good level.
- 30/30: knowledge and skills at an excellent level, with strong analysis and synthesis abilities and appropriate critical thinking.
Honours (lode) may be awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding competence, exceptional analysis and synthesis skills, and significant critical thinking, possibly supported by additional in-depth work beyond the course content.
Texts
- Lecture notes and other on line documents
- Books and other material for further reading notified during the course
- B. Bing, “Wireless Local Area Networks”, John Wiley & Sons
- K. Sohraby, D. Minoli, T. Znati, “Wireless Sensor Networks: Technology, Protocols, and Applications”, John Wiley & Sons, 2007
- H. Labiod, H. Afifi, C. De Santis, “Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee and WiMAX”, Springer
Contents
WIRELESS ACCESS NETWORKS
1. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) (3 ECTS)
- Features and Applications
- The IEEE 802.11 standard and its evolutions
- Security in IEEE 802.11i
- Quality of service in IEEE 802.11e
2. Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) (1 ECTS)
- Bluetooth and the IEEE 802.15.1 standard
- Evolution of Bluetooth: Low Energy and Mesh
3. Ad-hoc self-organizing networks and multihop communications (2 ECTS)
- Mobile Ad-hoc NETwork (MANET) and related routing protocols
- Wireless MESH network (WMN) and the IEEE 802.11s standard
- Wireless sensor network (WSN): Zigbee and the IEEE 802.15.4 standard
WIRELESS NETWORKS FOR E-HEALTH
1. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) (2 ECTS)
- Features and Applications
- The IEEE 802.11 standard and its evolutions
2. Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) (1 ECTS)
- Bluetooth and the IEEE 802.15.1 standard
- Evolution of Bluetooth: Low Energy and Mesh
- Wireless sensor network (WSN): Zigbee and the IEEE 802.15.4 standard
LEARNING OUTCOMES
WIRELESS ACCESS NETWORKS
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: At the end of the course, students acquire advanced knowledge of the operation of wireless WLAN and WPAN networks and the related IEEE standard protocols. They also understand the characteristics and design criteria of ad hoc and multi-hop networks, as well as the routing and self-organization principles in MANET, WMN, and WSN networks, including scalability and energy consumption issues in wireless sensor networks.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: At the end of the course, students are able to analyze and design WLAN, WPAN, and multi-hop networks according to application requirements; evaluate the performance of a wireless network and its suitability for different application contexts; identify design criticalities and propose appropriate technical solutions.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: At the end of the course, students develop the ability to compare alternative protocol solutions; assess the consistency between design requirements and adopted technologies; justify architectural choices in complex scenarios; and critically interpret experimental or simulation results.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students are able to rigorously describe the operation and design criteria of wireless standards for local and personal area networks, both single-hop and multi-hop; present performance analyses and design choices; and use appropriate technical language when comparing alternative solutions.
LEARNING SKILLS: Through the knowledge provided during the course, students acquire methodological tools to independently explore new wireless standards; apply analytical models to scenarios not directly covered; and keep up to date with technological developments in the field of wireless networks.
WIRELESS NETWORKS FOR E-HEALTH
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: At the end of the course, students acquire knowledge of the operating principles of WLAN, WPAN, and WSN wireless networks, with reference to IEEE 802.11 and 802.15 standards. They also understand scalability and energy consumption issues in WSNs that are particularly relevant in e-health applications.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: At the end of the course, students are able to analyze and design wireless networks used in healthcare applications; evaluate the performance of wireless networks in healthcare contexts; select appropriate wireless technologies for e-health monitoring scenarios; and assess reliability, latency, and energy consumption constraints in biomedical applications.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: At the end of the course, students develop the ability to assess the suitability of a wireless technology according to clinical or monitoring requirements and to interpret performance data in healthcare application contexts.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students are able to describe the operation of the wireless technologies considered and explain the technical motivations underlying design choices in e-health applications.
LEARNING SKILLS: Through the knowledge provided during the course, students acquire methodological tools to independently explore the evolution of wireless standards for biomedical applications and new technological solutions for remote monitoring and telemedicine.
More information
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