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Advanced Wireless System Design & Simulation - ELE00153M

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

This module introduces and analyses the advanced physical-layer techniques used in current and emerging wireless standards, especially 5G and beyond. We also provide underlying theory and software tools to simulate and evaluate these techniques. This involves extensive guided laboratory work using Matlab. Students then use analytical techniques together with Matlab simulation to design and evaluate an advanced communication system.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

  • To introduce the fundamental principles behind current and emerging wireless communication systems, especially in 5G and beyond mobile systems

  • To provide theoretical tools for performance analysis of advanced wireless systems, especially at the physical layer

  • To develop skills in computer simulation of wireless communication systems using Matlab, and in the analysis of simulation results

  • To develop critical skills in the selection, adaptation and application of appropriate numeric and algebraic techniques

  • To carry out an extended design and evaluation exercise, and present the results in a concise technical report

Module learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • have acquired further understanding of physical layer technologies for advanced wireless standards such as 5/6G, WiFi, etc

  • be able to model the effect of realistic wireless channels on performance of these technologies

  • be able to carry out computer simulation of these schemes on realistic channel models

  • be able to design and evaluate advanced technologies for wireless channels according to specification

  • Be able to construct concise technical reports that present design decisions and evidence-based design evaluation

Module content

Wireless communication is increasingly essential to us all, not only for communication between people and information services to us, but also in the control and coordination of our transport and other infrastructure, as well as in industrial processes. This module will enable students to understand the fundamental technologies in wireless communications and especially the signal processing and transmission technologies used in the physical layer, and also to evaluate their performance, both analytically and by computer simulation. It will cover the main physical layer technologies used in wireless systems, including OFDM, MIMO (including Massive MIMO and beamforming), synchronisation and channel estimation, millimetre-wave technology, and also the application of FEC codes.

The module is centred around a set of structured computer simulation exercises and a more open-ended design exercise. Lectures are supported by computer laboratory sessions in which the simulation exercises are carried out, and by workshops which provide support to the simulation exercises and also the design exercise.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 8
Essay/coursework 8
Essay/coursework 8
Essay/coursework 20
Essay/coursework 8
Essay/coursework 8
Essay/coursework 40

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments. A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.

The School of PET aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.

Statement of Feedback

Where possible (and especially for the earlier lab assessments) feedback will be provided in time for subsequent assessments, primarily by issuing a document containing expected results with comments on students’ answers. Individual feedback will also be provided.

Worked solutions for workshops will be made available as early as possible given that some lab assessments depend on these.

Indicative reading

Ian Glover and Peter Grant “Digital Communications” Pearson (3rd Ed) 2009, ISBN-13: 978-0273718307


Alister Burr “Modulation and Coding for Wireless Communications” Prentice-Hall, 2001, ISBN-13: 978-0201398571


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.