ME601 - Telecommunication Modeling and Simulation

Credit points: 20 credit points

Workload: 60 hours

Prerequisite: ME503 Telecommunication Systems Engineering

Co-requisite: N/A

Aims & objectives

This is a third trimester core unit out of a total of 12 units in the Master of Engineering (Telecommunications) MEng(Tel). This unit addresses the MEng(Tel) course learning outcomes and complements other courses in a related field by developing students’ specialised knowledge in applied cellular telecommunication and applying critical skills in telecommunication equipment such as antennas, microwaves, GPS and spectrum analyser. For further course information refer to: http://www.mit.edu.au/courses/master-engineering-telecommunications.
This unit covers aspects of mobile radio propagation environment and path loss models, cellular concepts, planning, optimizing and management of a cellular mobile radio communication network and the next generation. The laboratory sessions are based on the CelPlanner software.
Students undertake a comprehensive project in the planning and design of cellular mobile radio base station networks using a professional cellular planning software tool. Students gain in-depth knowledge and a practical approach in dimensioning base station cell sites, including antenna selection, radio coverage, interference analysis, and teletraffic capacity planning.
This unit will cover the following areas:

  • Cellular Communication Systems concepts
  • Cellular network Traffic Handling Capacity
  • Microcell and Temporary Cell Splitting
  • Third generation (3G) mobile communication system
  • Radio Signal Propagation Modelling and Prediction
  • Mobile Telecommunication Planning and Optimization
  • Simulation and Modelling
  • IMS and Convergence Management
  • Next Generation OSS Architecture
  • Ethics and Reflection in system modelling

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Design, analyse and evaluate wireless mobile communication systems;
  2. Research and analyse recent developments, and relate them to the principles of mobile network design and network management;
  3. Apply engineering techniques, tools and resources to plan and model cellular networks;
  4. Apply, and evaluate the application of systematic cellular networks engineering synthesis and design techniques;
  5. Effectively employ oral and written communication to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, and conclusions in cellular laboratory reports.

Weekly Topics

This unit will cover the content below:

Week # Topic Laboratory/Tutorial Reading
1 Multiple Access Schemes Laboratory 1: Introduction to CelPlanner Tutorial 1: Telecommunication System Exercises Rappaport, T. “Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice” 2nd Ed, Prentice Hall, 2009
2 Cellular Concept and Channel Allocation Laboratory 2: Single Cell base station planning Tutorial 2: William C. Y. Lee, “Mobile Communications Design Fundamentals”, 2010 (Chapter 1)
3 Mobile Radio Signal Propagation Environment Laboratory 3: Sectoring in Cell Planner Tutorial 3: Telecommunication System Exercises Agbinya, J.I. et al, “4G Wireless Communication Networks: Design, Planning and Applications”, River Publishers Denmark, Chapter 2
4 Path Loss Models and Prediction Laboratory 4: Multi-cell network planning Tutorial 4: Propagation Calculations Exercises Agbinya, J.I. et al, “4G Wireless Communication Networks: Design, Planning and Applications”, River Publishers Denmark, Chapter 3, 4
5 DS-CDMA Schemes and codes in 3G networks Assign. 1 due Laboratory 5: Traffic Allocation Tutorial 5: Path Losses Exercises Agbinya, J.I. et al, “4G Wireless Communication Networks: Design, Planning and Applications”, River Publishers Denmark, Chapter 7,8
6 Mobile Network Traffic Handling Capacity Laboratory 6: Traffic Capacity Tutorial 6: Erlang B/C Calculations William C. Y. Lee, “Mobile Communications Design Fundamentals”, 2010 (Chapter 5,6,10) Agbinya, J.I. et al, “4G Wireless Communication Networks: Design, Planning and Applications”, River Publishers Denmark, Chapter 10
7 Telecommunication Management, IMS and Convergence Management Laboratory 7: Back Haul Microwave Network Tutorial 7: Parameters Optimization Rebecca Copeland, “Converging NGN Wireline and Mobile 3G Network with IMS”, CRC Press, 2009. (Chapter 1 & 2)
8 Management and Design of Public Telecommunication System Laboratory 8: Path Loss Models Laboratory Tutorial 8: Coverage vs Quality Exercises Agbinya, J.I. et al, “4G Wireless Communication Networks: Design, Planning and Applications”, River Publishers Denmark, Chapter 10
9 Cellular Optimization and Planning Laboratory 9: Traffic Generation Tutorial 9: Customers Case Studies Agbinya, J.I. et al, “4G Wireless Communication Networks: Design, Planning and Applications”, River Publishers Denmark, Chapter 10
10 Next Generation OSS Architecture Laboratory 10: Network Configuration Tutorial 10: Telstra and A&AP Case Studies  
11 IP Core Planning and Design Laboratory 11: Cell Cluster Tutorial 11: Cell Splitting Exercises  
12 Review Assign. 2 due Sample Exam(s)  

Assessment

Assessment Task Release Date Due Date A B Learning Outcomes Assessed
Laboratory and Problem Based Learning participation & submission Each week in Lab Each week in Lab 15%   a-e
Formative assignment 1A
Assignment 1B (face-to-face, In class test, on campus)		 Week 1 Week 3
Week 6		 5% 10% a-c
Assignment 2 Week 5 Week 10 20%   a-d
Final Examination (3 hours) (Face-to-face, On campus)       50% a-e
TOTALS     40% 60%  

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

Class Participation Assessment
This unit has class participation 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.

Textbook and reference materials

Text Book:

  • J.I. Agbinya, “Planning and Optimization of 3G and 4G Wireless Networks”,
  • T. Rappaport, “Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice” 2nd ed., Prentice Hall, 2009.

Further reading:

  • J.I. Agbinya et al, 4G Wireless Communication Networks: Design, Planning and Applications, River Publishers Denmark, ISBN 978-87-92982-71-1, 2013
  • J.D. Parson, The Mobile Radio Propagation Channel", John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2000.

Adopted Reference Style: IEEE

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.