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2021/2022

Access Technologies

Code: 102697 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
2500898 Telecommunication Systems Engineering OT 4 0
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Contact

Name:
Xavier Redon Hernandez
Email:
Xavier.Redon@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
catalan (cat)
Some groups entirely in English:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
Yes

Other comments on languages

In case a student cannot understand Catalan or Spanish, class will be in English. PLAB will be in English

Teachers

Xavier Redon Hernandez

Prerequisites

 It is advisable to have completed the courses "Fundamentals of Communications" and "Digital Signal Processing".

Objectives and Contextualisation

The course focuses on the study of access technologies, from the physical layer at the modulation level to the deployment of telecommunications networks at the infrastructure level. The objectives are:

  1. To understand the general principles of operation of these technologies.
  2. To design the corresponding schemes for transmission and reception.
  3. To comprehend the restrictions of each technology in terms of available resources, in order to design efficient systems.
  4. To know the basic characteristics of real systems, such as DVB-T/T2n, LTE or 5G
  5. To understand the real problems of installation, operation and maintenance of access networks
  6. To understand how is the spectrum managed
  7. To understand the standardization processes necessary to implement these networks

Competences

  • Apply deterministic and stochastic signal processing techniques to the design of communication subsystems and data analysis.
  • Apply the necessary legislation in the exercise of the telecommunications engineer’s profession and use the compulsory specifications, regulations and standards.
  • Communication
  • Design and dimension multiuser communication systems using the principles of communication theory under the restrictions imposed by the specifications and the need to provide a quality service.
  • Develop personal work habits.
  • Develop thinking habits.
  • Learn new methods and technologies, building on basic technological knowledge, to be able to adapt to new situations.
  • Work in a team.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply signal processing techniques in order to improve the features of multiuser systems.
  2. Assume and respect the role of the different members of a team, as well as the different levels of dependency in the team.
  3. Build, exploit and manage telecommunications networks from the point of view of access technologies.
  4. Communicate efficiently, orally and in writing, knowledge, results and skills, both professionally and to non-expert audiences.
  5. Develop critical thinking and reasoning.
  6. Develop independent learning strategies.
  7. Distinguish multiple access technologies based on digital signal processing techniques.
  8. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different technological options for the deployment or implementation of emerging communication systems.
  9. Measure the features of different access technologies in terms of multiuser capacity.
  10. Prevent and solve problems.
  11. Use techniques based on telecommunication networks, services and applications both in fixed and mobile, and local or long distance environments with different bandwidths, including television and data.
  12. Work autonomously.

Content

  1. Radio spectrum
    1. Bands and use of radio spectrum
    2. Regulation
    3. Spectrum regulation bodies
    4. World Radiocomunication Conference
  2. Organismes d’estandardització
    1. Existing Standarization bodies
    2. Internal organization of standarization bodies
    3. Licencing models
  3. Multicarrier modulations
    1. Multipath propagation
    2. Guard interval/cyclic prefix
    3. FFT based modulations
    4. Applications: WLAN, xDSL, DVB-T/T2, LTE
  4. Use case: Mobile telephony (LTE and 5G)
    1. Mobile networks architecture
    2. 3GPP and its standards
    3. Improving coverage: Small Cells, Nano cells, DAS,...
  5. Use case: TV broadcasting (DVB-T/T2,...)
    1. Spanish TV History
    2. TV Broadcasting architecture
    3. TV Encoding and multiplexing for SD, HD and UHD signals
    4. DVB-T and T2
    5. Distribution network
    6. Network planning
    7. Network O&M
  6. Use case: Radio broadcasting (FM, DAB,...)
    1. Broadcast radio network architecture
    2. FM and AM broadcasting
    3. Digital radio modulations: DAB/DAB+, DRM/DRM+,…
  7. Use case: IOT networks (NBIoT, Sigfox, Lora,...)
    1. IoT service requirements
    2. Existing solutions
    3. Nework model: dedicated vs shared
  8. Use case: Critical communications networks (TETRA, LTE,...)
    1. Critical communications service requirements
    2. Existing soliutions: Tetra, LTE, GSM-R
    3. Nework model: dedicated vs shared

Methodology

Activities:

  • Master classes: exposition of theoretical contents and analysis of practical cases.
  • Laboratory practices: application of the concepts and techniques presented to the master classes in different practical cases.
  • Participatory activities such as a "brainstorm" session, contests, "role play", case resolution.

Autonomous activities:

  • Study of the theoretical and practical contents of the subject.
  • Completion of case planning and resolution exercises.
  • Search of bibliography.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Laboratory 12 0.48 1, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 11, 8
Master class 38 1.52 1, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 8
Type: Supervised      
Tutorships 2 0.08 1, 4, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 8
Type: Autonomous      
Individual work 80 3.2 1, 3, 6, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 11, 8

Assessment

Final qualification will be based on the exercices and activities at class.

There will be around 5 exercises defining 60% of the qualification, and a practic part in PlaB that will define 40% of the qualification. Active participation in class can rise the qualification up to one additional point.

Ater being qualified at least of 2 thirds of the total subject, the student will have the oportunity to have a final exam related to the whole subject. This exam will be after finishing the standard activities. In case the student does not attend this exam, won`t be a second chance.

In case of failing to present 2 thirds of the evaluation activities the sudent will be considered unqualifiable.

Honors are decided by the professor of the subject only if finla qualification is over 9.00 and no more than 5% of students can be awarded with this honors.

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Developement and exercices presentation 60% 14 0.56 1, 2, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 11, 8
PlaB 40% 4 0.16 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 8

Bibliography

    • M. Bonet, El imperio del aire, Ed. UOC, 2016
    • Jose F Montserratm Mario García, Juan José Olmos, Narcís Cardona, 3GPP LTE-Advanced y su evolución hacia la 5G móvil

Software

No specific SW is required. Standard Office tools will be needed, text applications and spread sheet. Participation tools like Kahoot and Jamboard will also be used.