Network design issues include the selection of base station location, capacity assignment, cell splitting and the provision of adequate resources for mobility handling. Both spread spectrum and narrowband systems will be considered. Three short computer exercises will be assigned, and students will use CSIM, a library of C routines available on selected College of Engineering Workstations which facilitates simulation of queueing systems. This is essential, and should be adequate, for an understanding of the core theory covered in the course. This background is required since it is important for appreciating the applications in the course, and for moving beyond the course material to prepare a project.
Students can work individually or in groups of two or three students.
Perhaps a small set of projects in the course could be interrelated, such as development of a set of protocols with simulations, with separate students working on different aspects of the larger project. An overview and users guide for CSIM17 is on the web, and the library itself is available on all the College of Engineering HP Workstations.