BE302 - Mobile and Satellite Communication Systems

Credit Points: 15 credit points

Workload: 48 hours

Prerequisite: BE203 Telecommunication Systems

Co-requisite: N/A

Aims & Objectives

This is a core unit out of a total of 24 units in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Telecommunications) BEngTech (Tel). This unit addresses the appropriate BEngTech (Tel) course learning outcomes by giving students specialised knowledge in applied mobile and satellite communication systems, such as antennas, microwaves, GPS and spectrum analyser. For further information on the course please refer to: http://www.mit.edu.au/study-with-us/programs/bachelor-engineering-technology-telecommunications.
This unit covers aspects of mobile radio systems engineering, planning and designing cellular mobile radio communication networks by studying radio channel modelling, multiple access and frequency assignment techniques, handover techniques, signalling protocol structures, traffic considerations and network management.
Topics treated in this unit include:
Mobile Communication Theory:

  • Introduction to mobile and wireless communications, multi-carrier transmission, advanced single-carrier transmission, advanced receivers, advanced radio resource management and protocols and different radio network architectures.
  • Frequency division, orthogonal frequency division, time division and code division multiple access, frequency division duplexing and time division duplexing
  • The cellular concept, frequency reuse, channel allocation schemes, handoff, call control interference
  • Cellular broadband wireless systems (3G, 4G, etc.)

Satellite design, operation and evaluation of:

  • Orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO, etc.) services and systems
  • Satellite technology and operation (E.g. Spacecraft and distance satellite)
  • Earth Stations, antennas (from satellites such as fixed, broadcast satellite, mobile, store and forward,
  • tracking, telemetry)

Learning Outcomes

4.1 Course Learning Outcomes
The Course learning outcomes applicable to this unit are listed on the Melbourne Institute of Technology’s
website: www.mit.edu.au
4.2 Unit Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit students are expected to be able to:
a) Using numerical analysis methods, critically review and analyse mobile and satellite communication
systems: path loss models and link budgets.
b) Explain the underlying principles and concepts of telecommunication techniques such as FDMA, TDMA,
CDMA and OFMA and cellular technologies including GSM/GPRS and GPS mobiles, satellites and earth
station applications.
c) Describe research and development directions of 4G to 5G technologies.
d) Identify engineering techniques, tools and resources, and exercise critical thinking and judgement, to
identify and solve problems related to antenna and GSM laboratories.
e) Demonstrate ethical behaviour for, and personal and collaboration responsibility and accountability to,
the professional practice in the telecommunication industry.

Assessment

Assessment Task Release Date Due Date A B Learning Outcomes Assessed
Class Participation and Contribution Each week in Lab Each week in Lab 10%   a,b,d
Individual Formative Assignment 1 Week 1 Week 3 (08/04/2022) 5%   a
In-Class Test Week 6 during the lab Week 6   10% a,b,d
Assignment 2 (Groups of 2-3 students) Week 6 Week 11 (03/06/2022) 25%   a-e
Final Examination (2 hours)       50% a,e
TOTALS     40% 60%  

Task Type: Type A: unsupervised, Type B: supervised.

Class Participation and Contribution
This unit has class participation and student contribution as an assessment. The assessment task and marking rubric will follow the Guidelines on Assessing Class Participation (https://www.mit.edu.au/aboutus/governance/institute-rules-policies-and-plans/policies procedures and guidelines/Guidelines_on_Assessing_Class_Participation). Further details will be provided in the assessment specification on the type of assessment tasks and the marking rubrics.
Presentations (if applicable)
For presentations conducted in class, students are required to wear business attire.

Textbook and Reference Materials

Note: Students are required to purchase the prescribed textbook and have it available each week in class.


Prescribed Text Book:

  • F. Ulaby & U. Ravaioli, Fundamentals of Applied Electromagnetics, Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited, 2015.
  • K. Chang, RF and Microwave Wireless Systems, New York: Wiley, 2000.

Other recommended references:

  • Madhavendra Richharia, Mobile Satellite Communications: Principles and Trends, Wiley, 2014.
  • Roger Cochetti, Mobile Satellite Communications Handbook, Wiley, 2014
  • Gerard Maral, Michel Bousquet and Zhili Sun, Satellite Communications Systems: Systems, Techniques and Technology, Wiley, 2010.
  • T. Rappaport, Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice, 2nd ed., Prentice Hall, 2009.
  • Agbinya, JI, Planning and Optimisation of 3G and 4G Wireless Networks, River Publishers Denmark, PO
  • Box 1657, Aalborg Postkontor, Algade 42, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark), ISBN: 978-87-92329-24-0
  • December 2009
  • William C. Y. Lee Mobile Communications Design Fundamentals, (2nd ed). John Wiley and Sons 2010.

Adopted Reference Style: IEEEE (Information can be found in MIT library referencing)

Graduate Attributes

MIT is committed to ensure the course is current, practical and relevant so that graduates are “work ready” and equipped for life-long learning. In order to accomplish this, the MIT Graduate Attributes identify the required knowledge, skills and attributes that prepare students for the industry.
The level to which Graduate Attributes covered in this unit are as follows:

Ability to communicate Independent and Lifelong Learning Ethics Analytical and Problem Solving Cultural and Global Awareness Team work Specialist knowledge of a field of study

Legend

Levels of attainment Extent covered
The attribute is covered by theory and practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students always play an active role, e.g. workshops, lab submissions, assignments, demonstrations, tests, examinations.
The attribute is covered by theory or practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students mostly play an active role, e.g. discussions, reading, intepreting documents, tests, examinations.
The attribute is discussed in theory or practice; it is addressed by assessed activities in which the students may play an active role, e.g. lectures and discussions, reading, interpretation, workshops, presentations.
The attribute is presented as a side issue in theory or practice; it is not specifically assessed, but it is addressed by activities such as lectures or tutorials.
The attribute is not considered, there is no theory or practice or activities associated with this attribute.