EECE5576: Wireless Communication Systems

Fall 2024 Semester

Course Syllabus

Instructor
Elena Bernal Mor, Ph.D.
Associate Teaching Professor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things
Northeastern University

Office: 411 Dana

E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: Wednesdays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Dana 411 or make appointment for other time.

Hourly Couse Assistants (HCA)

Yunkai Li
E-mail: [email protected]
Online Office Hours: Check Canvas for more information.

Vishal Ladda
E-mail: [email protected]
Online Office Hours: Check Canvas for more information.

Class Meeting Time and Location

• Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:35 PM to 2:40 PM
• Location: Knowles Center 002B

Brief Description
Wireless communication systems have become a key infrastructure to share and consume
information in our society. The high penetration of wireless communication systems such as mobile
phone services or WiFi networks, as well as the introduction of a large variety of application services, has
led to an unprecedented growth of wireless data traffic. This course will provide the students with the
necessary knowledge to understand the basics of wireless communication systems, including wireless
channel characterization, transceiver techniques to overcome channel effects, channel sharing methods,
the cellular concept, etc. Moreover, this course will also provide the students with a comprehensive
knowledge of the technical aspects and functioning of some wireless communication systems such as the
different generations of cellular systems. In addition to the theoretical lectures, practical assignments are
conducted to better illustrate and consolidate the concepts learnt in the class.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of wireless communication systems
• Design and analyze wireless communications transceivers under certain constraints in order to
overcome problems introduced by a specific channel
• Identify and describe the properties and functionalities of different wireless communication
systems, such as cellular networks and WiFi
• Design and analyze a mobile cellular architecture to satisfy a specific performance requirement
• Identify the challenges faced by wireless communication systems in the past and the present and
predict potential solutions to be included in future wireless communication systems

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Course Contents
1. Overview of wireless systems
2. Radio propagation and channel modeling
3. Communication over time-varying, frequency-selective, band-limited channels
4. Advanced transceiver techniques
5. Channel sharing
6. The cellular concept: system design fundamentals
7. Standards: LTE, 5GNR, IEEE 802.11

Prerequisites (Working Knowledge of)

• A course in communications (EECE3400: Communication Systems or EECE7336: Digital
Communications)
• Fundamental concepts of analog and digital communications
• Fundamentals of networking
• Fundamental concepts of applied electromagnetics
• Fundamental concepts of calculus and probability

Course Materials
This course will use the Northeastern University Canvas Course Management System accessible going to
https://canvas.northeastern.edu. Check the course site regularly for class materials and additional
resources, such as:
• Lecture notes
• Homework assignments

Reference textbooks (not mandatory):

1. Molisch,” Wireless Communications”, Third edition, John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 2022
2. Theodore S. Rappaport, "Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice," second edition,
Prentice Hall, 2002.
3. Proakis and Salehi, “Digital Communications”, fifth edition, McGraw-Hill Education, 2007

Grading Policy
Grade Distribution:
• Homework Assignments: 35%
• Midterm Exam: 30%
• Final Exam: 30%
• Professionalism (regular attendance included): 5%
Grades are determined from the final total points as follows:
Total Points Final Grade
95-100 A
90-94 A-
85-89 B+
80-84 B
75-79 B-
70-74 C+
65-69 C
60-64 C-
55-59 D+
50-54 D
<50 F

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Assessment
Homework Assignments:
Several independent sets of conceptual questions as well as analytical and numerical problems which
may require the use of Matlab.
• To avoid late penalty deductions, assignments should be submitted on or prior to the due date.
There will be an automatic 10-point per day deduction in homework assignments submitted past
the deadline.
• Students are allowed to share ideas regarding homework problems, but each student must
independently write and submit their own solution.

Exams:
• Midterm exam: in person closed-book exam held halfway through the semester. A cheat sheet
prepared by the student of maximum 2 pages is allowed. Date: TBD
• Final exam: in person closed-book exam held during the final week. A cheat sheet prepared by
the student of maximum 2 pages is allowed. Date: TBD
Makeup exams will be given provided that you contact the instructor prior to the exam, and you have a
valid reason to miss the exam.

Professionalism:
As specified in the grading policy, 5% of the grade is based upon the professional behavior and
interaction of the students. For this, please
• Use professional style in all communications, including email, with course faculty and course
assistants.
• Refrain from use of cell phones or other electronic devices during the lectures unless they are
clearly linked to class purposes (e.g., note-taking)
• Attendance: In-person attendance is an important element for success in class. It is required
unless you are unable to make it due to illness or other urgent or emergent reasons. Attendance
will be also considered for your professionalism grade including coming to class late.
• Respect: You are expected to treat your instructor, the course assistant and all other participants
in the course with courtesy and respect. Your comments to others should be factual, constructive,
and free from harassing statements. You are encouraged to disagree with other students and the
instructor, but such disagreements need to be respectful and be based upon facts and
documentation (rather than prejudices and personalities). Falling to adhere to this expectation
may result in a lower grade. Part of the learning process in this course is respectful engagement
of ideas with others.
• AI Expectations: Utilizing ChatGPT or other AI tools is becoming more common. While I would
prefer you not use these tools and instead commit to the productive struggle that is learning, I
recognize that these tools are not going away. Rather than ban them, we will treat them similarly
to other resources you use. This means you MUST follow the four points above.
o Give notice that you used the AI tool, which one you used and how you used it.
o Rigorously check and alter the answer to suit the assignment and your understanding.
o You must understand any answer you submit and be prepared to explain it to the
instructor or course and teaching assistants.
o For MATLAB problems, all comments in your code should be your own words.

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Academic Integrity
A commitment to the principles of academic integrity is essential to the mission of Northeastern
University. The promotion of independent and original scholarship ensures that students derive the most
from their educational experience and their pursuit of knowledge. Academic dishonesty violates the most
fundamental values of an intellectual community and undermines the achievements of the entire
University.

As members of the academic community, students must become familiar with their rights and
responsibilities. In each course, they are responsible for knowing the requirements and restrictions
regarding research and writing, examinations of whatever kind, collaborative work, the use of study aids,
the appropriateness of assistance, and other issues. Students are responsible for learning the
conventions of documentation and acknowledgment of sources in their fields. Northeastern University
expects students to complete all examinations, tests, papers, creative projects, and assignments of any
kind according to the highest ethical standards, as set forth either explicitly or implicitly in this Code or by
the direction of instructors. Go to https://osccr.sites.northeastern.edu/academic-integrity-policy/ to access
the full academic integrity policy.

Student Accommodations
Northeastern University and the Disability Access Services (DAS) are committed to providing disability
services that enable students who qualify under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans
with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) to participate fully in the activities of the university. To
receive accommodations through the DAS, students must provide appropriate documentation that
demonstrates a current substantially limiting disability.
For more information, visit https://drc.sites.northeastern.edu/

Diversity and Inclusion

Northeastern University is committed to equal opportunity, affirmative action, diversity, and social justice
while building a climate of inclusion on and beyond campus. In the classroom, members of the University
community work to cultivate an inclusive environment that denounces discrimination through innovation,
collaboration, and an awareness of global perspectives on social justice. It is my intention that students
from all backgrounds and perspectives will be well served by this course, and that the diversity that
students bring to this class will be viewed as an asset. I welcome individuals of all ages, backgrounds,
beliefs, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, gender expressions, national origins, religious affiliations,
sexual orientations, socioeconomic background, family education level, ability – and other visible and
nonvisible differences. All members of this class are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming,
and inclusive environment for every other member of the class. Your suggestions are encouraged and
appreciated. Please visit http://www.northeastern.edu/oidi/ for complete information on Diversity and
Inclusion.

TITLE IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from sex or gender-based
discrimination, including discrimination based on gender-identity, in educational programs and activities
that receive federal financial assistance. Northeastern’s Title IX Policy prohibits Prohibited Offenses,
which are defined as sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship or domestic violence, and stalking.
The Title IX Policy applies to the entire community, including male, female, transgender students, faculty,
and staff. In case of an emergency, please call NUPD at 617 373 3333. Please
visit www.northeastern.edu/titleix for a complete list of reporting options and resources both on- and off-
campus.

The present syllabus is intended as an outline of the class. The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus and
course materials from time to time to better accommodate pedagogical requirements and student needs. Up-to-date information can
be found in the Canvas class page.