CORE (25 ECTS +10 ECTS
(Master Thesis))
Information Theory
(5 ECTS):
The focus of the course is to provide the main results of network
information theory. The emphasis will be on the key ideas and
techniques, going from classic to more recent results. The topics
include: weak and strong typicality, capacity theorems, rate-distortion
theory, network information theory, multiple access channels,
Distributed lossless source coding (Slepian-Wolf), Distributed lossy
source coding (Wyner-Ziv), (degraded and non-degraded) broadcast
channels, the Costa problem, relay channels, multiple descriptions,
channels with state information, capacity regions, inner and outer
bounds, separation theorem and joint source-channel coding, coset
codes, superposition coding, random codes and error exponents,
universal codes.
Advanced Optimization
Techniques for Communications and Signal Processing (5 ECTS):
The topics addressed include: convex optimization and Lagrange duality,
linear and integer programming, Lagrangian relaxation, network flow
problems, quadratic and geometric programming, dynamic programming,
connections between optimization theory and information theory,
semidefinite programming, applications to statistical detection and
estimation problems, interior-point and primal-dual algorithms for
constrained convex optimization, distributed algorithms and
decomposition methods, non-convex optimization, multi-objective Pareto
optimization, and robust optimization.
Advanced stochastic
Processes for Engineers (5 ECTS):
This course provides the essential tools to handle and analyze signals
with random behaviors. The topics treated include: types of stochastic
convergence, stochastic calculus, stochastic differential equations,
weak and strong stationarity, types of ergodicity, energy and power
spectra, white noise approximations, linear transformations of
stationary processes, innovations, spectral representation, spectral
factorization and applications, Karhunen-Loeve expansions on finite
intervals, Campbell theorem, narrowband representations, point
processes, Poisson processes, Markov chains, Kolmogorov equations,
Gibbs fields, random walks and Martingales, stochastic simulation.
Digital Communication
Theory (5 ECTS):
The objective of this course is to get the student acquainted with
advanced topics that are essential to the design and functioning of
modern communication systems. In order to provide guiding themes,
special emphasis is given to wireless networks and to digital
subscriber lines. The topics covered include: review of band-pass and
low-pass representation, channel modeling, channel capacity, energy per
bit, advanced modulation techniques, fundamental bounds of error
probability, intersymbol interference, linear equalization (ZF, MMSE),
optimal sequence detection, capacity for parallel channels, SNR gap,
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), bit loading, vector
coding, block and convolutional codes, spread spectrum techniques for
multiuser communications.
Research Methodology
(5 ECTS):
This course covers the major considerations and tasks involved in
conducting scientific research. The course reviews the graduate
research context, skills, and methodology. It introduces the essential
aspects to succeed in research proposal writing and research reporting.
Methodological tools based on simulation theory and analytical and
numerical models are presented along with their validation. These tools
enable modeling and analysis of the research problems most commonly
encountered in telecommunications
Master Thesis (10
ECTS)
In order to complete the Master program, students are required to
conduct a research project, submit a report paper, and defend it in an
oral presentation. The goal is to have the students apply formal
methodologies and work on a topic from the corresponding specialty.
Each student shall have a mentor who supervises the work and guides the
preparation of the report. The learning objective is to have the
opportunity to autonomously manage the solution of a research problem
chosen by the student.
TRACKS - OPTIONAL MODULES (25 ECTS)
Advanced Communications
Advanced Coding Techniques
(5 ECTS):
Algebraic-geometric codes, codes based on graphs, iterative coding
systems, Low-Density-Parity-Check (LDPC) codes, Turbo codes,
probabilistic decoding, hard- and soft-decision decoding, general
message-passing and belief propagation algorithms, Tanner graphs,
factor graphs, density evolution, EXIT charts, LT and raptor codes,
asymptotic and finite-length analysis, connection to decentralized
estimation algorithms in signal processing, Space-time multi-antenna
(quasi-static or fast) fading channel, Ergodic Capacity of MIMO
wireless communication systems, multi-antenna diversity gain, design
criteria for space-time codes, Alamouti codes, space-time codes from
orthogonal (real and complex) matrix designs, space-time coding for
PAM, QAM, BPSK, QPSK, 2^k - PSK, Diversity-multiplexing trade-off and
universal space-time codes, Outage probability, Outage capacity,
V-BLAST, D-BLAST.
Advanced Signal Processing
for Communications (5 ECTS):
Statistical signal processing for communications, review of optimal
wiener filtering, Review of estimation and detection, Cramer-Rao
bounds, Expectation-Maximization algorithm in communications, adaptive
LMS, RLS and variants applied to communications, identification and
tracking of mobile channels, channel estimation in OFDM systems, LS
estimation in different types of channels, LS receivers in multiuser
communications, design of training sequences, advanced algorithms for
channels with intersymbol-interference, adaptive equalization,
equalization guided by decision, fixed and adaptive decision feedback
(DFE) equalizers, fractional equalizers, blind
equalization/identification, estimation of channel order and
robustness, equalization in SIMO systems, pre-coding techniques for
MIMO systems, signal processing algorithms for arrays, minimum-variance
beamforming, adaptive beamforming, estimation of direction of arrival,
iterative processing in communications, turbo processing at receivers
and applications to syncronization, channel estimation and tracking,
equalization and multiuser detection.
Advanced Wireless
Communications and Mobility (5 ECTS):
The wireless vision. Applications and requirements. Standards and
Spectrum regulation and de-regulation. Classification of wireless
systems. The cellular concept and its guiding principles. Frequency
reuse. Handoff. Antenna fundamentals. Radiation patterns, gain and
effective area. Reciprocity. Friis formula. Free-space propagation. Ray
tracing. Empirical models. Large-scale path loss. Shadow fading. Cell
coverage and outages. Multipath propagation and fading. Doppler
spectrum and coherence time. Slow and fast fading. Fading
distributions: Rayleigh, Ricean and Nakagami. Narrowband chanels. Power
angular spectrum and correlation. Wideband channels. Coherence
bandwidth. Delay spread and intersymbol interference. Side information.
Capacity of faded channels with side information at receiver and
with/without side information at transmitter. Capacity of
frequency-selective channels. Adaptive transmission techniques.
Variable rate, variable power and variable coding schemes. Discrete
rate adaptation. Concept of diversity. Macroscopic and microscopic
diversity. Diversity mechanisms: frequency, time, space, polarization
and pattern. Diversity combining: selection, equal-ratio combining and
maximal-ratio combining. Transmit diversity. Directe-sequence spread
spectrum. Frequency-hopping spread spectrum. Multiuser channels: uplink
and downlink. Multiple access schemes: orthogonal (FDMA, TDMA and
OFDMA) and non-orthogonal (CDMA and SDMA). Scheduling. Random access:
ALOHA, slotted ALOHA and CSMA.
Antennas and RF Systems
for Communications (5 ECTS):
Parameters and specifications of antennas, types of antennas, wire
antennas, microstrip, printed antennas, wideband antennas, active
antennas, reflectors, arrays of antennas, synthesis GA of arrays,
re-configurable and adaptive antennas, CAD methods for antennas (FDTD
and FEM modeling), spectral and temporal analysis, near-far field
trasnsformations, measurement of small antennas in near field and near
field systems for large antennas, channel modeling and calculation of
wireless channel gains, associated RF equipment and sub-systems,
passive and active networks and devices, linear and non-linear
analysis, measurement techniques.
Advanced Networks
Advanced Communication
Networks and Protocols (5 ECTS):
The course presents the following contents: Internet architecture,
weaknesses in the Internet and data networks. Alternative solutions.
Quality of service in data networks (Internet), multimedia support,
multimedia networks, advanced tunneling concepts, multicast, IP
networks management servers, mobile IP, advanced signaling systems,
wireless networks, optical networks and their architectures, networks
based on label switching, MPLS, traffic engineering.
Design and Implementation
of Wireless Sensor Networks (5 ECTS):
Concept of self-organization, overall structure of a sensor network,
arquitecture of motes, (centralized and decentralized) MAC and adaptive
routing algorithms in ad-hoc networks, power optimization and life
time, cross-layer protocol design, distributed synchronization
algorithms, components of a mote (compact antenna, transceiver, memory,
micro-processor, etc), operating systems and programming for motes,
monitoring and management of wireless sensor networks, collaborative
processing and self-organized systems, interconnection between wireless
sensor networks and other types of networks, hands-on exercises with
IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee protocols), deployment in a real
environment.
Mobile Communication
Networking (5 ECTS):
Multimedia services in cellular networks, IMS description (IP
Multimedia Subsystem), adopted arquitecture for the cellular networks
3G/4G for the integration of Multimedia services (voice, video, data,
etc…), SIP (signaling internet protocol) signaling protocol, advanced
signaling paradigms P2P/SIP, WLAN wireless networks, integration of
WLAN in the mobile network architecture or as an alternative wireless
access network to Internet and the accessible services (ej. VoIP,
TvoIP, etc…), performance of WLAN as access networks to support
wideband multimedia mobile services.
Multimedia Communications
Multimedia Systems and
Coding (5 ECTS):
This course focuses on multimedia coding systems with specific emphasis
on audiovisual coding. The course provides an introduction to the
psychophysical underpinnings of modern audiovisual coding systems as
well as an algorithmic presentation of current audiovisual coding
standards. The topics include: source coding and compression, audio
perception, audio coding and standards, video perception, still image
and video coding and associated standards, multimedia coding.
Image and Video Analysis
(5 ECTS):
Multidimensional Fourier analysis and Sampling Theorems. Sampling in
video sequences. Multidimensional (separable and non-separable)
Wavelets and Multirate Filter Banks,PDEs and mathematical
morphology,Variational models in image processing. Advanced enhancement
and restoration techniques (denoising, deblurring, color enhancement),
Optical flow computation and tracking, Advanced Interpolation
techniques for inpainting, super-resolution, de-interlacing and Frame
rate conversion, Modern Image and video compression techniques, 3D
image reconstruction and stereo vision, Advanced Image analysis,
segmentation and shape recognition techniques.
3D Multimedia over
Internet and Mobile Networks (5 ECTS):
The contents are centered in the development of 3D graphical and
multimedia applications on the web and on mobile devices. On the one
hand, environments and formats for 3 graphic and multimedia development
will be presented: X3D and Collada, SMIL and SVG as well as Java3D,
PaperVisio and Flash. On the other hand, the student will be introduced
to the design and development of applications for mobile devices
describing and implementing in the most common environments: Symbian,
Windows Mobile and iPhone.
Research Seminars
(5 ECTS):
Periodic sessions on research-oriented topics in advanced
communications, wireless networks and Information & Communication
Technologies.
