Course Title: EE 278: Wireless Communication Systems
Category: ECE Science or ECE Technical Elective
Class Information: Fall 2007
Class time: 15:30-16:45 T R
Class location: Lafayette L100
Instructor Information: Dr. Jeff Frolik
357 Votey
Phone: 802.656.0732
jfrolik@uvm.edu
http://www.cems.uvm.edu/~jfrolik/
Office Hours: Open door policy or email for an appointment
Pre-requisite: EE 174: Intro to Communication Systems
OR
graduate standing in engineering or computer science
Course Objectives: To provide the theoretical foundation needed to understand and analyze modern wireless communication systems.
Text: T. Rappaport, Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice, 2 ed , Prentice Hall, 2001.
Online supplement
References: Lathi, Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems, 3 ed., Oxford, 1998.

Undergraduate Grading: Quizzes: 20%
Midterm: 25%
Final: 35%
Labs: 10%
Presentation: 10%

Grade Scale: A [90, 100]
B [80, 90)
C [70, 80)
D [60, 70)
F [0, 60)
breaks within above ranges are used to set +/-
Graduate Grading: Quizzes: 20%
Midterm: 25%
Final: 35%
Labs:10%
Report/Presentation: 10%

Grade Scale: A [90, 100]
B [80, 90)
C [70, 80)
D [60, 70)
F [0, 60)
breaks within above ranges are used to set +/-

Tentative schedule of weekly lectures: Introduction to Wireless Communication Systems (~1 week)
The Cellular Concept - System Design Fundamentals (~2 weeks)
Mobile Radio Propagation: Large-Scale Path Loss (~2 weeks)
Mobile Radio Propagation: Small-Scale Fading and Multipath (~2 weeks)
Modulation Techniques for Mobile Radio (~2 weeks)
Equalization, Diversity and Channel Coding (~2 weeks)
Speech Coding (~2 weeks)
Multiple Access Techniques for Wireless Communications (~2 weeks)
General: The instructor posts all assignments, solutions, and additional material at the WebCT site for this class. This can be found at: http://webct.uvm.edu/.

Homework will be assigned but not collected/graded. Solutions for these problems will be posted on the WebCT site. Most weeks, a quiz will be given related to important topics covered during the previous few lectures. On all quizzes you will be allowed to use ONE sheet of notes. You may use both sides of the paper and you may put anything you want on it. No additional notes or text may be used unless specifically noted. Mid-term and finals will both be take-home exams. Approximately one week will be allocated to complete these exams.

Throughout the semester, the instructor will give students feedback on how they are progressing in the course.
Undergraduate Presentations: Students working in teams of two will research technologies or systems in the area of wireless communications and give a 10 minute presentation on their chosen subject. The presentation will account for 10% of the final grade.

The due dates for the presentation related material are as follows:
  • Teams & Title: 10% (mid-Oct)
  • Abstract: 15% (late-Oct)
  • Rough draft of presentation material: 25% (mid-Nov)
  • Final presentation material: 25% (last day of class)
  • Presentations: 25% (final exam period)

  • Graduate Project Report and Presentations: The students will each research technologies or systems in the area of wireless communications, write a 4-6 page, well-referenced technical paper and give a 10 minute presentation on their chosen subject. It is expected that the paper be a clear presentation of technical material found in journals and advanced texts. The paper should follow standard proceedings-style format (to be provided). The paper along with presentation will account for 10% of the final grade.

    The due dates for paper/presentation related material are as follows:
  • Title: 5% (mid-Oct)
  • Abstract: 10% (late-Oct)
  • Rough draft of report and presentation material: 25% (mid-Nov)
  • Final report: 35% (last day of class)
  • Final presentation material: 10% (last day of class)
  • Presentations: 15% (final exam period)
  • Labs: Students working in teams of two in performing four different lab experiments throughout the semester. Lab reports will constitue 10% of the final grade. Tentative topics include:
  • Large scale propagation measurement and modeling
  • Small scale propagation measurement and modeling
  • Modulation Techniques
  • CDMA
  • Attendance and Participation: It is expected that the class size will be relatively small. As such, each student's participation is vital to the course's success. However, attendance will not be taken.

    University Policy on Religious Holidays: Students have the right to practice the religion of their choice. Each semester students should submit in writing to their instructors by the end of the second full week of classes their documented religious holiday schedule for the semester. Faculty must permit students who miss work for the purpose of religious observance to make up this work.

    Plagiarism: Any students found giving and/or receiving assistance on Exams or Quizzes will receive a failing grade for the course. However, students are encouraged to work together and to exchange ideas when working on their papers/presentations. Students must be sure to reference their work properly, including all web sources. Cut and paste from website is considered plagiarism unless referenced and put in quotations. UVM's policy on honesty is clearly defined and can be found at http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/acad/other/honesty.htm
    ADA: Students with disabilities should contact the instructor as soon as possible regarding necessary accommodations.
    ABET Matrix:

    0 – no contribution
    1 – very low level
    5 - very high level

  • Outcome #1: an ability to apply knowledge of mathmematics, science, and engineering to the analysis of electrical engineering problems; Contribution: 5
  • Outcome #2: an ability to design and conduct scientific and engineering experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data; Contribution: 2
  • Outcome #3: an ability to plan, specify, design, implement, and operate a system, component, or process to meet desired needs; Contribution: 0
  • Outcome #4: an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams; Contribution: 0
  • Outcome #5: an ability to identify, formulate, and solve electrical engineering problems; Contribution: 3
  • Outcome #6: an understanding of professional, legal, and ethical responsibility; Contribution: 0
  • Outcome #7: an ability to convey technical material through formal written work products which satisfy accepted standards for writing style; Contribution: 3
  • Outcome #8: an ability to convey technical material through oral presentation and interaction with an audience; Contribution: 4
  • Outcome #9: broad education and knowledge of contemporary issues necessary to understand the impact of electrical engineering solutions in a global and societal context; Contribution: 0
  • Outcome #10: a recognition and appreciation of the need for, and ability to engage in life-long learning and critical thinking; Contribution: 0
  • Outcome #11: an ability to use modern engineering techniques, skills, and tools, including computer-based tools, necessary for analysis and design; Contribution: 3