Course syllabus for Wireless link project

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-07 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameProjekt i trådlös kommunikation
  • CodeMCC125
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPWPS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyElectrical Engineering, Engineering Physics
  • DepartmentMICROTECHNOLOGY AND NANOSCIENCE
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 29112
  • Maximum participants27 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0112 Project 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Wireless and photonics system engineering (SSY085) or Introduction to communication engineering (SSY121).

Aim

A real wireless communication link involves non-ideal hardware and constraints on the signal processing capabilities. The students will work in small, heterogeneous groups with diverse expertise involving both hardware and algorithm competence, comparable to industrial development teams. Each team will design and build a power efficient communication link using a microwave carrier. Through problem-based learning the students learn to design, analyze, and evaluate a real system.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • design and evaluate a real wireless transmission link
  • analyze and evaluate different technical solutions
  • plan and with adequate methods realize qualified projects within given time frames
  • show the ability of team work and collaboration in groups with different background
  • discuss and present results in written and spoken English to different groups
  • show the ability to identify the need of further knowledge and continuous knowledge development
  • show the ability of critical and systematic knowledge integration even with limited information
  • develop a product with regards to ecological sustainable development.

Content

After the lectures, the course continues with work on development of hardware (HW) and software (SW) required for the simplex transmission of data between 2 points separated by about 100m. You will construct and use your own software to modulate the carrier in the transmitter, to detect your message in the receiver and to correct the hardware impairments such as frequency offset, phase offset, timing synchronization, etc.

In parallel with the SW development each group will construct own transmitter/receiver hardware to modulate, up-convert, amplify and receive the message. You will construct the hardware using a selection of microwave components, followed by layouting of the printed circuit board (PCB), which is reviewed and send for fabrication. After receiving the boards, it is time for the assembly and testing of the PCBs.

At the final stage of the course, the SW and HW are connected and tested. Different modulation formats, such as QPSK, 16QAM 64QAM in combination with different symbol-rates are tested to achieve maximum data rate.

Organisation

We offer a dedicated laboratory equipped with PCB assembly tools. Measurement equipment such as spectrum/network analyzers, signal sources oscilloscopes are available for characterizing and debugging the HW. Digital to analog and analog to digital convertors are available to generate and sample modulated signals. We provide 8h/week scheduled assistance in the lab with possibility for additional help upon request.

Literature

To be determined

Examination including compulsory elements

Field test of prototypes. Oral presentations, written reports and meeting minutes.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.