Module Code: H8FMC
Long Title Fundamentals of Mobile Communications
Title Fundamentals of Mobile Communications
Module Level: LEVEL 8
EQF Level: 6
EHEA Level: First Cycle
Credits: 5
Module Coordinator: CRISTINA HAVA MUNTEAN
Module Author: CRISTINA HAVA MUNTEAN
Departments: School of Computing
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff

Master’s degree or PhD in a computing or cognate discipline. May have industry experience also.

Proposed Lecturer: Mr. Vikas Sahni, Dr. Paul Hayes

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Assess the fundamental theory, concepts and principles behind wireless and mobile communications.
LO2 Contrast different communication technologies used in wireless and mobile networks.
LO3 Evaluate and apply knowledge to a range of contexts and problems in the ‘real world’ of mobile communications.
LO4 Specify, design and construct efficient and secure applications using Java's networking packages.
LO5 Distinguish and evaluate security issues in wireless and mobile networks
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).

No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Introduction to Wireless and Mobile Networking
• Introduction. • Definition of Terms. • History of Wireless Communication. • Wireless and Mobile Applications • Machine to Machine (M2M) Communication • Internet of Things (IoT
Wireless Network Applications
• Examine wireless technology and its applications • Assess wireless networking technologies • Review wireless network applications • Discuss the issues and constraints of a wireless network
Wireless Transmission
• Frequencies Allocation • Regulations • Signal Propagation • Modulation of Digital Data • Narrowband and Wideband Modulation
Wireless LANs: Basics
• Infrastructure versus adhoc LANs • Project 802.11 • 802.11 MAC Layer • DCF versus PCF • CSMA versus CDMA • Scanning, Authentication and Association • Encryption, Handshaking, Fragmentation & Power Conservation • Hidden Station Problem
Wireless LAN Standards
• IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN Specification • IEEE 802.11b • IEEE 802.11a • IEEE 802.11g • IEEE 802.11as
Bluetooth and Wireless PAN
• PAN Technologies • Bluetooth • Zigbee • RFID Technology
Satellite Communication
• Positioning Systems and Technologies • Satellite Communication and Orbits • Global Positioning System (GPS) • Location-Based Services (LBS)
Wireless Broadband
• 2nd Generation -GSM • 2.5 Generation –GPRS and EDGE • 3rd Generation – UMTS • HSPA • Business Drivers • Emerging Technologies and Standards • 4th Generation Technologies • WiMAX • Long-Term Evolution (LTE) • Integration and Convergence • Future Trends
Mobile IP Protocol
•Motivation and Requirements • Data Transfer using Tunnelling • Encapsulation • Optimisation of Packet Forwarding • Reverse Tunnelling • Mobile IP and IPv6 • Problems with Mobile IP • Mobility in Cellular Networks
Security Issues
• Wireless Security Principles • Wireless LAN Threats • Wireless Authentication • 802.1X Security • GSM, UMTS and LTE Security • Secure Mobile Commerce • Browsing and Download Threats (Viruses etc.)
Network Programming 1
• Communication and Synchronisation • URLs and URIs: Description, URL and URI class, Communication with Server-side programs through GET, • URLConnections class: Opening URLConnections, Configuring the Connection Reading data from a Server, Reading the header, Writing data to a Server • TCP Sockets for Clients: Using Sockets classUsing ServerSockets class, Logging, Constructing Server Sockets, Getting information about Server Socket, Socket options
Network Programming 2
Secure Sockets: Creating Secure Client Sockets, Creating Secure Server Sockets, Event Handlers, Configuring SSLServerSockets, Configuring SSLServerSockets • UDP Datagrams and Sockets: UDP Clients, UDP Servers The DatagramPacket Class, The DatagramSocket Class, Socket Options • Design, implementation and testing of mobile applications that use Sockets for Client-Server communication
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Assessment60.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Continuous Assessment % of total: 40
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Assessment 1 (20%): Written assessment to assess the fundamental theory, concepts and principles behind wireless and mobile communications and apply the knowledge to contrast different communication technologies used in wireless and mobile networks. Assessment 2 (20%): Assessment for learners to demonstrate proficiency in specifing, designing and constructing efficient and secure applications using Java's networking packages.
End of Module Assessment
Assessment Type: Terminal Exam % of total: 60
Assessment Date: End-of-Semester Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4,5
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
End-of-Semester Final Examination
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
Reassessment Description
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture No Description 24 Per Semester 2.00
Tutorial No Description 12 Per Semester 1.00
Independent Learning No Description 89 Per Semester 7.42
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Independent Learning Time No Description 89 Every Week 89.00
Tutorial No Description 12 Every Week 12.00
Lecture No Description 24 Every Week 24.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 36.00
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • William Stallings. (2013), Wireless Communications and Networks, 2nd.
  • Harold, E.R.. (2013), Java Network Programming: Developing Networked Applications, 4th Edition,. O'Reilly.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Forouzan, B.. (2012), Data Communications and Networking., 5th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education,.
  • Forouzan, B.. (2010), TCP/IP Protocol Suite., 4th Edition.. McGraw-Hill Education,.
  • Calvert. (2008), TCP/IP Sockets in Java: Practical Guide for Programmers, 2nd Edition. Morgan Kaufmann.
  • Price, R.. (2006), Fundamentals of Wireless Networking,, McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
  • Jim Geier.. (2015), Designing and deploying 802.11 wireless networks, Indianapolis, IN; Cisco Press, p.600., [ISBN: 1587144301].
  • Jan Hèoller...[et al.].. (2014), From machine-to-machine to the Internet of things, Amsterdam; Elsevier Academic Press, p.xix, 331 :, [ISBN: 012407684X].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: