MSE Master of Science in Engineering

The Swiss engineering master's degree

Each module contains 3 ECTS. You choose a total of 10 modules/30 ECTS in the following module categories: 

  • 12-15 ECTS in technical scientific modules (TSM)
    TSM modules teach profile-specific specialist skills and supplement the decentralised specialisation modules.
  • 9-12 ECTS in fundamental theoretical principles modules (FTP)
    FTP modules deal with theoretical fundamentals such as higher mathematics, physics, information theory, chemistry, etc. They will teach more detailed, abstract scientific knowledge and help you to bridge the gap between abstraction and application that is so important for innovation.
  • 6-9 ECTS in context modules (CM)
    CM modules will impart additional skills in areas such as technology management, business administration, communication, project management, patent law, contract law, etc.

In the module description (download pdf) you find the entire language information per module divided into the following categories:

  • instruction
  • documentation
  • examination 
Wireless Communications (TSM_WireCom)

The module starts with the physical properties of radio propagation, analog and digital modulation and forward error correction.

Then the students will be exposed to the functioning and characteristics of a selection of the most important wireless standards at the present time. The focus will be on the physical layer and the medium-access layer.

Exercises will be used throughout the course to exemplify the use and application of the module content to examine existing standards for a given problem in the context of the merits and limitations of each technology.

Prerequisites

The students are expected to have basic knowledge on serial communication, communication topologies (e.g. point-to-point, point-to-multipoint), OSI reference model, statistics and Fourier analysis.

Learning Objectives

The student will be able to

  • discriminate between the various advanced modulation, coding and transmission concepts and explain their benefits and limitations
  • explain the key characteristics of a selection of the most important wireless standards at the present time in regards to the Physical and Data Link layers
  • research information on different wireless technologies
  • select the most suitable wireless technology for a practical problem.

Contents of Module

Common Fundamentals (25%)

Applications, requirements, market and frequency spectrum issues in wireless communications. Wireless receivers and transmitters, Radio propagation and Digital modulation and coding.

 

Standards(75%)

Introduction to a selection of the most important standards and technologies at the time of the course (the actual technologies taught may differ somewhat fom this list) :

  • GSM / UMTS / LTE / 5G / IoT
  • GNSS (GPS, Galileo)
  • Satellite Communication
  • WLAN / Bluetooth
  • RFID
  • DAB
  • etc.

Teaching and Learning Methods

  • Lectures
  • Work through exercises
  • Self-study:
    • completion of exercises
    • research using online and print resources
    • Analysis of case studies

Literature

 

  • Ke-Lin Du, M.N.S. Swamy, "Wireless Communication Systems", Cambridge, 2010
  • J.-F. Wagen, "Mobile & Wireless Networks and Services", HEIA-FR book
  • J. Proakis, M. Salehi, "Digital Communications", McGraw-Hill Press
  • A. Paulraj, N. Nabar, D. Gore, "Introduction to Space-Time Wireless Communications", Cambridge Press
  • C. Lüders, "Mobilfunksysteme", Vogel Verlag
  • M. Sauter, "Grundkurs Mobile Kommunikationssysteme", Springer Vieweg Verlag
  • D. von Grünigen, "Digitale Signalverarbeitung", Fachbuchverlag Leipzig
  • Klaus Finkenzeller, "RFID-Handbuch", 7. Auflage, Hanser Verlag
  • J. Schiller, "Mobilkommunikation", Addison-Wesley
  • J.-M. Zogg, "Telemetrie mit GSM/SMS und GPS Einführung", Franzis Verlag
  • R. Tanner (ed.), J. Woodard (ed.), "WCDMA Requirements and Practical Design", Wiley
  • M. Sauter, "From GSM to LTE Advanced PRO and 5G", Wiley, 2011
  • E. Dahlman, St. Parkvall, J. Skold, "4G LTE / LTE Advanced for Mobile Broadband", Elsevier
  • E. Dahlman, St. Parkvall, J. Skold, "5G NR: The Next Generation Wireless Access Technology", Academic Press
  • Gordon Colbach, "The WiFi Networking Book"
  • Standards, e.g. 3GPP, IEEE 802.x, ETS 300 401, ISO/IEC 18000-6C, ISO/IEC 15693

Download full module description

Back