Wireless Communications MSc

Wireless communications is a rapidly growing area in the booming communications industry, with the potential to provide high-speed and high-quality information exchange between portable devices.

The new standards for mobile networking will enable many applications, including triple services for mobile networks, digital television in a converged environment, video streaming, interactive gaming, navigation services, context aware services, and emergency and healthcare applications. The efficient delivery of these multimedia applications and services over emerging diverse wireless networks poses a significant technical challenge, requiring individuals with a deep understanding of wireless technologies.

What will you study?

This course aims to provide you with an understanding of the technical characteristics of wireless systems and with the tools for wireless  systems design and deployment.  It will cover advanced topics in wireless communications for voice, data, and multimedia.

This programme builds on the internationally-recognised research of the Wireless Multimedia Research Group. Students will benefit from research-informed teaching and the close links our academics have developed within the industry, including national and international mobile operators and manufacturers.

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You have access to state-of-the-art equipment for wireless communications, including a full WIMAX platform (802.16e), professional wireless sensor networks platforms and wi-fi networks. This allows you to apply the theoretical concepts you acquire to the most advanced wireless systems.

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The full MSc consists of five core modules, three option modules and a dissertation project. Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Core modules

• Digital Communications

• Digital Communications

  This module introduces you to the fundamental design principles of the physical layers used in data networks. It considers:

  • the principles behind the design of copper twisted pair and coaxial cable systems;
  • fibre optic links employed in gigabit ethernet; and
  • wireless communications.
  
   
• Digital Signal Processing

• Digital Signal Processing

  This module prepares you to understand how to represent, analyse and manipulate digital signals. It provides a theoretical background as well as practical work based on MATLAB and programming.

  
   
• TCP/IP Networks

• TCP/IP Networks

  In this module, you gain an understanding of:

  • the use of layered architectures and protocols in the internet;
  • protocols used at the transport, network and link layers; and
  • how to design an IP network in an industrial report.
  
   
• Wireless Communications

• Wireless Communications

  This module covers:

  • the fundamental principles of wireless communications;
  • the basic system design parameters adopted by broadcast digital radio DAB and DRM; and
  • the platforms used for digital television DVB and IPTV.
  
   
• Research Methods

• Research Methods

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  This module provides you with the skills and techniques you will need to undertake research for completing modules and your project. It will help you to:

  • select and justify a research topic;
  • develop the use of various resources to carry out a literature search; and
  • look at the structure and format of the project.
  
   
• Project/Dissertation (MSc only)

• Project/Dissertation (MSc only)

  To achieve an MSc, you will undertake a substantial project (worth one third of the course credits). The project is usually industrially linked and can be either research or development based.

  
   

Option modules (choose three)

• Advanced Wireless Technologies

• Advanced Wireless Technologies

  This module covers the theoretical background and working knowledge of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) and broadband wireless data communications. It provides practical and useful knowledge that can be readily applied in the wireless industry.

  The module provides the real-world, practical knowledge you need to understand, design, deploy, test and debug WSN and wireless broadband systems from HSxPA to WiMAX, as well as satellite systems. We will also address recent technologies such as ultra-wideband communications.

  
   
• Internet Wireless Networks

• Internet Wireless Networks

  This module covers:

  • internet wireless networks and the trends in internet wireless networking;
  • personal area networks, such as Bluetooth and UWB;
  • wireless Wi-Fi LANs and Wi-MAX MANs;
  • cellular 2, 2.5 and 3G networks; and
  • the issues of accommodating mobility at the network and transport layers.
  
   
• Multimedia Communications

• Multimedia Communications

  This module explores:

  • the technologies and applications of images, moving images, animations and sound in online and offline information systems;
  • the technologies and trends that support multimedia products and services; and
  • how internet architecture is adapting to provide quality of service for multimedia services.
  
   
• Scientific Programming

• Scientific Programming

  This module in numerical methods and scientific computing is designed to support MSc courses in advanced topics such as Embedded Systems, Image Analysis and Mechatronics.

  It focuses on the informed use of mathematical software, especially the mathematical functions used in technical computing. You cover a mix of:

  • general discussion;
  • analytical mathematics;
  • application of algorithms; and
  • the implementation of these ideas in the form of working computing routines.
  
   
• Network Security

• Network Security

  This module deals with the principles and techniques employed in securing information and networks. It covers:

  • identifying and implementing security policy, data encryption algorithms and different security protocols;
  • the role of vulnerability assessment tools;
  • assessing the security risks inherent in computer networks; and
  • the steps that can be taken to counter such risks.
  
   

If you'd like to find out more about this course, why not pay us a visit?  We understand that it's not always easy to attend a designated open day, so instead you can arrange a time to suit yourself.

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