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227-0438-00L 6 Credits MSC D-ITET , D-MAVT , D-MATH , D-PHYS , D-ERDW
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Wireless Communications

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Christoph Studer
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:22

Abstract

The course teaches the fundamentals of wireless communication as well as state-of-the-art technologies used in modern wireless systems. The main topics are wireless channels, data detection, multi-antenna and multi-user communication, information theory of wireless systems, and emerging technologies. The exercises cover theoretical aspects as well as modeling of wireless systems using MATLAB.

Objective

After attending the lectures, participating in the exercise sessions, and working on the homework problems (which include MATLAB coding assignments), the students will be able to: • understand the key principles and trade-offs of modern wireless system design • analyze wireless channels and existing wireless communication systems • apply the fundamental principles to design new wireless communication systems • create software-based simulation frameworks to model complex wireless systems

Content

This course focuses on the fundamentals of modern wireless communication systems. The course begins with the basics of wireless channels and discusses the main building blocks of modern wireless transceivers. The topics include: • Wireless channels, multi-path propagation, and de/modulation • Geometrical and statistical channel models • Delay spread and coherence bandwidth; Doppler spread and coherence time • Diversity techniques (time, frequency, space, and multi-user) and space-time coding • Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) • Multi-antenna and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technologies • MIMO data detection and beamforming • Multi-user (MU) communication • Basic information theory for wireless channels • Basic forward error correction schemes • Emerging topics: millimeter-wave communication and massive MU-MIMO The exercises cover theoretical aspects as well as the basics of software-based communication-system-modeling in MATLAB and Monte-Carlo simulation techniques.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes are written in English and will be provided at the beginning of semester.

Literature

A set of handouts covering digital communication basics and mathematical preliminaries will be available on Moodle. For further reading, we recommend the following books: • D. Tse and P. Viswanath, “Fundamentals of Wireless Communication,” Cambridge University Press, 2005 • J. G. Proakis and M. Salehi, “Digital Communications,” McGraw-Hill, 2008, 5th Ed. • T. M. Cover and J. A. Thomas, "Elements of Information Theory," Wiley, 1991

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 30 minutes
The exercises are an essential part of the lecture. There will be 6 exercises, each with a maximum score of 100 points. If at least 4 exercises are solved with at least 50 points and submitted in time, then the final grade of the oral exam will be increased by 0.25 points. Exceptions will be made for compulsory military and civil service.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Wireless Communications
Moodle link will follow
  • Thu 14:15-16:00 (ETZ E 8)
2 h weekly
exercise Wireless Communications
Moodle link will follow
  • Thu 16:15-18:00 (ETZ E 8)
2 h weekly

Offered In