TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Course Outline (W2026)

ELE815: Wireless Communications

Instructor(s)Dr. Alagan Anpalagan [Coordinator]
Office: ENG447
Phone: (416) 979-5000 x 556079
Email: alagan@torontomu.ca
Office Hours: By appointment
Calendar DescriptionThis course provides a comprehensive introduction to basic principles and techniques in cellular mobile communications. The topics include: communication overview and frequency reuse, the cellular concept, radio propagation environments, techniques of modulation and equalization, multiple access wireless systems: TDMA/FDMA systems, CDMA systems, etc.
PrerequisitesELE 745
Antirequisites

None

Corerequisites

None

Compulsory Text(s):
  1. T.S. Rappaport, Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2009.
Reference Text(s):
Learning Objectives (Indicators)  

At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:

  1. Uses engineering knowledge to solve real world open-ended engineering problems. Use appropriate channel and traffic models to evaluate the impact of wireless service quality and capacity. (1c)
  2. Uses judgement in solving problems with uncertainty and imprecise information (2a)
  3. Generate solutions for complex design problems via proper choice of system parameters, analyse the results and make recommendations. Overall wireless system knowledge and the role of various sub components will be used in obtaining solutions. (4b)
  4. Designs and develops software tools to perform the tasks required by the project. Identifies the limitations and enhancements of the tools with respect to the project needs. (5a)
  5. Gathers, synthesises and analyses the literature on the development of wireless systems; Prepares plan for project with deliverables. (12a)

NOTE:Numbers in parentheses refer to the graduate attributes required by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).

Course Organization

3.0 hours of lecture per week for 13 weeks
1.0 hours of lab per week for 12 weeks
0.0 hours of tutorial per week for 12 weeks

Teaching AssistantsTBA
Course Evaluation
Theory
Midterm Test 25 %
Final Exam 45 %
Laboratory
Project Report 20 %
Project Presentation/Demo 10 %
TOTAL:100 %

Note: In order for a student to pass a course, a minimum overall course mark of 50% must be obtained. In addition, for courses that have both "Theory and Laboratory" components, the student must pass the Laboratory and Theory portions separately by achieving a minimum of 50% in the combined Laboratory components and 50% in the combined Theory components. Please refer to the "Course Evaluation" section above for details on the Theory and Laboratory components (if applicable).


ExaminationsMidterm test two hours during the lecture, closed book with one 8x11 double sided aid sheet will be allowed.
 
 Final exam, during exam period, three hours, closed book with two 8x11 double sided aid sheets allowed (covers weeks 1-13).
Other Evaluation InformationStudents will practice on Matlab/Simulink exercises.  Lab exercises will not be marked.  However, the project includes simulation and analysis of wireless system components and the labs will be useful for the project.
 
 Project marks are distributed as: Proposal (5%), Presentation/Demo (10%), Report (15%).  Each group will submit one proposal and one report, and do one presentation.  More information is available as part of the course notes and it will be discussed.
 
 Students may use Generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT, Grammarly, Perplexity, DeepL Translator) for ideation and brainstorming but not for research or for writing anything that will be submitted for credit. Failure to stay within these limits will be considered a breach of Policy 60.
 
 
 
Teaching MethodsLectures, Labs/Projects, Simulation, Literature study, Presentation
 
Other InformationNone

Course Content

Week

Hours

Chapters /
Section

Topic, description

1

3

Introduction and Fundamental Concepts
 (Chapter 1 Sections 1.2-1.5)


2-3

4

Wireless Communication Systems
 (Chapters 2 and 11 Sections 2.1-2.3 11.1 11.3 and 11.4)


3-5

8

Mobile Radio Channels
 (Chapters 4 and 5 Sections 4.1-4.12 5.1-5.6)


6-7

6

Cellular Concepts and Network Capacity
 (Chapter 3 Sections 3.1-3.7)


8-9

6

Multiple Access Techniques
 (Chapter 9 Sections 9.1-9.5 and 9.7)


10-11

6

Modulation for Radio Systems
 (Chapter 6 Sections 6.1-6.4 6.8 and 6.11)


12

3

Wireless Networks and Emerging Wireless Technologies
 (Chapters 2 and 10 Sections 2.4 2.5 10.1-10.5)


Laboratory(L)/Tutorials(T)/Activity(A) Schedule

Week

L/T/A

Description

1-2

ENG

Introduction Matlab/Simulink for system level simulation

3

ENG

BER of fading channel with BPSK modulation with single path

4

ENG

BER of fading channel with BPSK modulation with six multi-paths

5

ENG

Power allocation in downlink wireless communications

6-7

ENG

Simulation work for the course project

8

ENG

Cellular network capacity evaluation

9

ENG

Multicarrier-system (OFDM) simulation

10-12

ENG

Simulation work for the course project

University Policies & Important Information

Students are reminded that they are required to adhere to all relevant university policies found in their online course shell in D2L and/or on the Senate website

Refer to the Departmental FAQ page for furhter information on common questions.

Important Resources Available at Toronto Metropolitan University

Lab Safety (if applicable)

Students are to strictly adhere and follow:

  1. The Lab Safety information/guidelines posted in the respective labs,
  2. provided in their respective lab handouts, and
  3. instructions provided by the Teaching Assistants/Course instructors/Technical Staff.

During the lab sessions, to avoid tripping hazards, the area around the lab stations should not be surrounded by bags, backpacks etc, students should place their bags, backpacks etc against the walls of the labs and/or away from their lab stations in such a way that it avoids tripping hazards.

Accessibility

Academic Accommodation Support

Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) is the university's disability services office. AAS works directly with incoming and returning students looking for help with their academic accommodations. AAS works with any student who requires academic accommodation regardless of program or course load.

Academic Accommodations (for students with disabilities) and Academic Consideration (for students faced with extenuating circumstances that can include short-term health issues) are governed by two different university policies. Learn more about Academic Accommodations versus Academic Consideration and how to access each.

Wellbeing Support

At Toronto Metropolitan University, we recognize that things can come up throughout the term that may interfere with a student’s ability to succeed in their coursework. These circumstances are outside of one’s control and can have a serious impact on physical and mental well-being. Seeking help can be a challenge, especially in those times of crisis.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 and go to the nearest hospital emergency room. You can also access these outside resources at anytime:

If non-crisis support is needed, you can access these campus resources:

We encourage all Toronto Metropolitan University community members to access available resources to ensure support is reachable. You can find more resources available through the Toronto Metropolitan University Mental Health and Wellbeing website.