Cellular/Mobile Wireless 2

This is the second of three courses in a series on mobile wireless cellular communications. This course (Part II) begins with an analysis of Radio Access Networks (RANs). This is followed by the topic of modulation schemes, essential to understanding how radio links provide greater efficiency for the RF spectrum used by mobile operators.

The course continues with an in-depth look at the radio link channels used in GSM. This is followed by the introduction of two packet-switched cellular data standards crafted by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The first is General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), considered a 2.5G standard, which is the basis for providing mobility for cellular packet-switched data in 3G and 4G-LTE networks today. The second ETSI standard defined is referred to as Enhanced Data-rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), which focuses on techniques for GSMs air interface. These higher-order modulation techniques were developed to increase cellular data rates, using the same radio link infrastructure.

This course concludes with an in-depth look at the 3rd Generation Partnership Projects (3GPPs) third generation (3G) standard, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). This standard represents the vast majority of all 3G systems in operation worldwide, today.

In summary, this course allows attendees to continue to build on the mobile cellular communications foundations provided in the first course of this series. It shows how mobile cellular standards evolved through 3G and provides the necessary foundation to comprehend the next two generations of standards, 4G and 5G.

on focuses on the fundamentals of cellular network coverage. Here, an in-depth look at radio sites (or cells), sectors and signal propagation is provided.
The second section of the course defines both analog and digital modulation schemes. Higher order modulation schemes are illustrated with several common examples of various common methods.
The third section provides an in-depth look of the frame structure and types of burst methods for GSM. an explanation for each of the logical signaling and traffic channels is provided to allow a better understanding of how GSM network resources are provided allowing a subscriber to make and received digital voice calls.
The fourth section provides and in-depth analysis of the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) specifications, which adds capabilities to a GSM RAN. GPRS also introduces new core elements and interfaces for connectivity to external packet networks, such as the Internet.
Section five is the final section in this course, which provides a detailed description of how 3rd Generation Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) functions. The new Wideband CDMA physical layer is covered, along with a description of the logical and physical channels are used in providing higher speed data connections, while supporting circuit-switched calls for legacy circuit-switched voice calls.

Prerequisites

It is assumed that participants attending this course:

• Students must have completed Mobile Wireless Cellular Communications 1

Since this course focuses on 2nd and 3rd generation standards, it is necessary that the student has a background in the following:

• Wireless signal propagation
• Mobile cellular standards organizations
• Radio Access Networks (RANs)
• Basic knowledge of multiple access methods
• Modulation schemes used to improve spectral efficiency for RANs
• Circuit-switched voice calls
• Packet-switched data networks with a knowledge of TCP/IP standards

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe mobile cellular signal propagation characteristics
• List the impairments to signal propagation in mobile cellular networks
• Sketch the GSM architecture to include all major nodes and interfaces
• Add the GPRS nodes and interfaces to the GSM architecture sketch
• Define the GSM TDMA air interface channels and time slots in frequency division duplex mode
• Define the function of each physical and logical (traffic & control) air interface channel
• Differentiate between the different modulation and coding combinations used for GSM and GPRS
• Describe the different elements involved with GSM mobility management and their related functions
• List each step involved in an end-to-end call set up between a mobile and the GSM core network
• Compare the different types of handovers supported in a GSM network
• Identify the different functions involved in digital speech coding in a GSM network
• Define the IS-95 standards the define a cdmaOne network
• Show how a CSMA air interface is more spectrally efficient than TDMA
• Revise the cdmaOne specifications by listing the key attributes that formed the CDMA2000 standard
• List the modifications made to CDMA2000 to create the EV-DO standards
• Describe the differences between the UMTS air interfaces: WCDMA (FDD) and TD-SCDMA (TDD)
• Sketch the UMTS system architecture to include all major nodes and interfaces
• Define the function of each logical, transport and physical air interface channel for UMTS WCDMA
• List the UMTS CS and PS core and Radio Access Network (RAN) nodes and interfaces
• Illustrate the signaling protocol stack for UMTS networks for both CS and PS domains
• Sketch the various modes and states for the UMTS Radio Resource Control (RRC)
• Diagram the steps for authentication, ciphering and integrity used in UMTS security
• Defines the key attributes that defines the 3GPP’s HSPA standards

Register 21 days before class start date and save 10%! Enter discount code EARLY10 during registration.

Register 21 days before class start date and save $250! Enter discount code EARLY250 during registration.

Is there a discount available for current students?

UMBC students and alumni, as well as students who have previously taken a public training course with UMBC Training Centers are eligible for a 10% discount, capped at $250. Please provide a copy of your UMBC student ID or an unofficial transcript or the name of the UMBC Training Centers course you have completed. Asynchronous courses are excluded from this offer.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

Student will receive a refund of paid registration fees only if UMBC Training Centers receives a notice of cancellation at least 10 business days prior to the class start date for classes or the exam date for exams.