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ELEC-H423

Mobile and wireless networks

academic year
2025-2026
2026-2027

Course teacher(s)

Jean-Michel DRICOT (Coordinator)

ECTS credits

See programme details

Language(s) of instruction

english

Course content

The Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile communications are transforming the way we live and work. Applications ranging from logistics and smart homes to eHealth increasingly rely on small, wireless devices that continuously collect and transmit data. This course explores how such devices are programmed and how they communicate with each others and the backend cloud servers over the Internet.

The primary focus is on the software and network protocols that power mobile and embedded devices, along with a coverage of the security challenges inherent to wireless communication and IoT ecosystems.

Topics covered:

  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Mobile and Wireless networks
  • Medium access controls and network-level protocols for resource-constrained devices
  • Architectures that support mobility
  • Security fundamentals for wireless devices and IoT systems
  • Privacy (tracking, secure communications)
  • Introduction to mobile networks (2G - 5G).

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have learned:

  • Internet of Things standards susch as Zigbee(IEEE 802.15.4), WiFi (IEEE 802.11), LoRaWAN
  • Structure of current 2G/3G/4G cellular networks (including LTE) and the requirements of 5G cellular networks
  • Analyze routing and scheduling in complex mobile architectures and the Internet of Things
  • Assess the security of mobile and wireless systems
  • Implement an IoT system (programming and securing the communication)

We will also look at industry/research trends and discuss some innovative ideas that have recently been developed along with recent security attacks.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Required and Corequired knowledge and skills

Basic networking (IPv4, IPv6, TCP/IP, MAC protocols, routing, etc.)
Basics of. C Programming
General knowledge of the Internet ecosystem (cloud computing, network architectures)
Basics of network security (symmetric encryption, public key cryptography, keys, etc.) 

Teaching methods and learning activities

t involves students in group projects to identify challenging problems in wireless networks through extensive reading and discussion, to propose solutions to those problems, then conduct a group project.

Laboratories include:

  • Coding in C on a wireless embedded system (ESP32 with SoC elements including cryptography, hashing, and secure storage)
  • 6-weeks project with 3 milestones and a graded presentation
  • Oral exam: (group) research project on Internet of Things and security of wireless systems.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

Jochen Schiller, "Mobile Communications", 2nd Edition, Pearson. 2004.

Important : several parts of the course are drawn from the industry, latest research publications, etc. and there is no textbook for these parts

Course notes

  • Université virtuelle

Contribution to the teaching profile

This teaching unit contributes to the following competences:

  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of integrated structural design methods in the framework of a global design strategy

  • Reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity)

  • Collaborate in a (multidisciplinary) team

  • Work in an industrial environment with attention to safety, quality assurance, communication and reporting

  • Think critically about and evaluate projects, systems and processes, particularly when based on incomplete, contradictory and/or redundant information

  • A creative, problem-solving, result-driven and evidence-based attitude, aiming at innovation and applicability in industry and society

  • A critical attitude towards one’s own results and those of others

  • The flexibility and adaptability to work in an international and/or intercultural context

  • An attitude of life-long learning as needed for the future development of his/her career

  • Has an active knowledge of the theory and applications of electronics, information and communication technology, from component up to system level.

  • Has a profound knowledge of either (i) nano- and opto-electronics and embedded systems, (ii) information and communication technology systems or (iii) measuring, modelling and control.

  • Has a broad overview of the role of electronics, informatics and telecommunications in industry, business and society.

  • Is able to analyse, specify, design, implement, test and evaluate individual electronic devices, components and algorithms, for signal-processing, communication and complex systems.

  • Is aware of and critical about the impact of electronics, information and communication technology on society.

Other information

Additional information

 

Contacts

 

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

  • Project
  • Oral presentation

Project

Oral presentation

Oral exam and year project.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

 

Language(s) of evaluation

  • english

Programmes