75479 - Propagation In Wireless Systems M

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes: At the end of the course the student will gain knowledge of the following topics. Definition of "mobility" and classification of the different mobile radio and wireless systems. Long-range radio propagation through the atmosphere. Point-to-point and satellite links. Radio propagation in realistic environment. Radio coverage of a single cell: attenuation and fading, field prediction models for rural and (sub)urban environment. Multipath propagation and Ray tracing models. Wideband and multidimensional characterization of propagation. Introduction to MIMO systems, diversity and multiplexing techniques. Coverage and planning in cellular radio, broadcasting and wireless systems. Optimization of spectrum usage and spectral efficiency. Radio resources and solutions management on the base of the user’s requirements.

Course contents

Introduction

Definition of “mobility” and classification of the different mobile radio and wireless systems.

From ideal (Friis formula) to real propagation. Fading effects: radio link obstruction and multipath propagation. Dependence of a wireless digital system performance on the propagation conditions.

Real Propagation modeling

Fundamentals of the geometrical theory of propagation.

Introduction to the environmental effects. Example: impact of the terrain on the radio link.

Narrowband analyses of field distribution: path loss, shadowing and fast fading. Okumura-Hata formula and shadowing models. Radio Coverage of a single cell.

Multipath effects and input-output functions of the (mobile) radio channel

Radio coverage: narrowband field prediction models.

Wideband characterization of propagation (Delay Spread, Angle Spread, etc.) and wideband propagation models (rays models).

Multi-antenna systems

Diversity techniques and short introduction to MIMO systems.

Wireless Systems Planning

Introduction to the multiple access techniques. Distribution and planning of the radio resources over the service area. Coverage models for wireless systems. Planning of  radio systems in relation to the multiple access technique and other environment and system characteristics. Efficiency in radio  communication systems. Spectrum usage optimization. Selection of the proper radio solution on the base of the user's requirements.

Readings/Bibliography

Course slides and notes.

H. L. Bertoni, Radio Propagation for Modern Wireless Systems, Prentice Hall, 2000

S. R. Saunders, A. Aragon Zavala, Antennas and Propagation for Wireless Communication Systems, Jhon Wiley & Sons, 2007.

Teaching methods

The course includes lectures given by the professor, and exercises carried out by the professor and also assigned to the students.

Assessment methods

The exam is organized into a written and a following oral test.

The written test (2h approx.) consists of the solution of an exercise similar to those carried out during the lessons or provided to the students during the course. The use of books, notes and pocket calculator is allowed (access to the web and to any particular software tool is on the contrary forbidden).

The outcome of the test is expressed by a mark (out of 30) which should be positive (i.e. at least 18 out of 30) in order to proceed with the oral discussion.

The oral discussion (15 min approx.) aims at assessing the comprehension of the main concepts explained during the course.

 

Written and oral tests should be preferably held on the same exam session; in any case the validity of the written test score is limited to the current academic year.

 

The final mark is the synthetic evaluation of both written and oral tests. 

Teaching tools

Blackboard, PC, projector.

Office hours

See the website of Franco Fuschini