Wireless Communications, 50 cr
Type of the study module
Advanced Studies
Contact
Mikko Valkama, Markku Renfors
Learning Outcomes
| - | ** High Frequency Techniques focus area:
This focus area offers comprehensive understanding on high frequency electronics, circuits and techniques, with strong focus on relevant electromagnetic phenomena and characteristics. Central elements include high frequency circuit and antenna design and radio frequency measurement fundamentals. |
| - | ** Navigation and Positioning focus area:
This focus area gives thorough understanding and competence related to positioning systems and devices, including not only satellite based positioning but also other modern positioning techniques. Performance optimization, device-level signal processing, computing platforms and circuit structures, and navigation calculus are some of the central elements in this focus area. |
| - | ** Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits focus area:
This focus area provides deep knowledge on radio transceiver circuits and systems and in particular radio frequency integrates circuits (RFIC's) in wireless communications devices. Big emphasis is on modern computer aided design, analysis and measurement tools and silicon processes. |
| - | ** Wireless Systems focus area:
This focus area provides comprehensive understanding of the fundamental digital communication and operating principles of all modern and emerging wireless systems, and associated transmitter and receiver modules. The studies can be further tailored and deepened towards profound understanding of digital communication techniques and methods (modulation, coding and detection schemes, radio interface design), mobile cellular systems and associated planning and optimization solutions, analog and digital signal processing in radio communications devices, radio transceiver solutions, and digital computing platforms. |
| - | After studying and completing this major, the student has deep competence, fundamental understanding and practical skills to act as an R&D engineer, system designer or in other demanding expert and engineering duties in wireless communications and RF systems related industries. Depending on the chosen focus area, the skills can be tailored towards wireless communications systems, high-frequency/RF circuits and techniques or navigation and positioning. Modern design, analysis, simulation, and measurement methodologies and tools have big emphasis, to support demanding R&D and product engineering and innovations creation in the industry. |
| - | In general, after completing the Wireless Communications study module, students are familiar with the modern design, analysis, simulation and measurement tools and methodologies, and can also understand and recognize open problems, challenges and trends within their focus area(s). |
| - | NB: This advanced module can be studied either with 30 cr or 50 cr. In the 50 cr version, students can still deepen their understanding within the selected focus area or then combine widescale understanding of e.g. two different focus areas. It is also possible to freshen and complement some missing prerequisites in the 50 cr version, if e.g. the background studies have some minor shortcomings. |
| - | The study module provides also sufficient and good background for doctoral studies in the wireless communications and RF systems field. |
| - | This study module is meant for all Finnish students and for international students who started in 2016 or earlier. |
Prerequisites
| Study block | Credit points | Mandatory/Advisable | Additional information |
| 30 cr | Advisable | Alternative prerequisite modules. The contents should reflect the pre-requisites of the chosen Focus Area of the Wireless Communications major. Essential BSc-level prerequisite courses may be included in this extended module. | |
| 20 cr | Advisable | Alternative prerequisite modules. The contents should reflect the pre-requisites of the chosen Focus Area of the Wireless Communications major. Essential BSc-level prerequisite courses may be included in this extended module. |
Content
Compulsory courses
| Course | Credit points | Class |
| ELT-41308 Communication Theory | 5 cr | III |
| Total | 5 cr |
Optional Compulsory Courses
Student must select one focus area and follow the corresponding requirements when selecting the Optional Compulsory Courses and Complementary Courses.
| Course | Credit points | Alternativity | Class |
| ELT-41206 Basic Course on Wireless Communications | 5 cr | 1, 2 | IV |
| ELT-41727 Practical RF Electronics: First Principles Applied | 5 cr | 4 | IV |
| ELT-41736 Analysis of Electromagnetic Systems | 5 cr | 4 | IV |
| ELT-41826 Micro Electronics I | 5 cr | 3 | IV |
| ELT-41836 Micro Electronics II | 5 cr | 3 | IV |
| ELT-43106 Multicarrier and Multiantenna Techniques | 5 cr | 1 | IV |
| ELT-43506 Communication Systems Laboratory Course | 5-9 cr | 1 | V |
| ELT-46006 Introduction to Satellite Positioning | 5 cr | 2 | IV |
| ELT-46106 Satellite Navigation Receivers | 5 cr | 2 | IV |
| ELT-47206 Basics of RF Engineering | 5 cr | 4 | IV |
| ELT-47227 Basic RF Measurements | 5 cr | 4 | IV |
| ELT-47426 Transmission Lines and Waveguides | 5 cr | 4 | IV |
| ELT-48116 CMOS Integrated Circuits I | 5 cr | 3 | IV |
| ELT-48126 CMOS Integrated Circuits II | 5 cr | 3 | IV |
1.
Select 3 courses.
Wireless Systems focus area
2.
Select 3 courses.
Navigation and Positioning focus area
3.
Select 4 courses.
RF Integrated Circuits focus area
4.
Select 5 courses.
High-Frequency Techniques focus area
Complementary Courses
Courses from the "optional compulsory" course lists of other focus areas may also be included as complementary courses.
Should be completed to the minimum study module extent of 50 ETCS
1. Wireless Systems focus area: Recommended complementary core courses of this focus area. You can also choose courses of other focus areas. ELT-43008 is highly recommended for communication techniques and communication signal processing oriented studies.
2. Navigation and Positioning focus area: Recommended complementary core courses of this focus area. You can also choose courses of other focus areas.
3. RF Integrated Circuits focus area: Recommended complementary core courses of this focus area. You can also choose courses of other focus areas.
4. High-Frequency Techniques focus area: Recommended complementary core courses of this focus area. You can also choose courses of other focus areas.
Additional information
The whole modern society is strongly relying on broadband data communications and corresponding communication networks and services. This covers all areas of life, personal and professional. This trend is expected to continue and expand further, through the ongoing and all-encompassing digitalization process, which will eventually penetrate all industries and the whole society. This, together with the emerging Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet (or Industry 4.0) paradigms, raises the capacity, latency and other performance requirements of the communication networks, and wireless communications in particular, to a whole new level compared to the existing systems and solutions.
Another prevailing trend in the society and industries is related to robotization and other different autonomous moving objects and machines, such as self-driving cars and drones, which also rely strongly on highly efficient and reliable wireless communications solutions. Digitalization, IoT and robotization are all areas that are also strongly connected to high-efficiency wireless positioning and localization information, both indoors and outdoors. An additional longer term aspect is related to the concept of nano-networks, e.g., in medical field, where nano-scale objects such as different implantable nano-chips and sensors communicate and network with each other. This ties in well with one of the current global mega-trends, namely health technologies, in particular in terms of seeking to provide personalized and proactive healthcare for citizens.
By studying this major, you obtain deep and thorough theoretical and practical understanding and skills to act as an expert in the future programmable and connected world.