Wireless computing is emerging to be the standard for implementing computing and communication applications. This section presents two options on how wireless curriculum can be put into practice in existing computer science and electrical engineering programs.
The first example, "Wireless Systems Instructional Design Course", was provided by Professors Narayan Mandayam, Ivan Seskar, Dipankar Raychaudhuri and Badri Nath of the Wireless Information Network Laboratory (WINLAB) at Rutgers University
The second example, "Wireless Networks and Mobile Systems" was provided by Professors Luiz DaSilva and Scott Midkiff of the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Both these courses address the Wireless Curriculum with a slightly different focus and include the key elements of "hands on" lab work and programs. They are presented together to allow reflection on differing methods of teaching this topic.
Wireless Systems Instructional Design Course
The Wireless Systems Instructional Design Course utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to foster understanding and hands-on design of wireless systems with emphasis on crosslayer issues. This course combines graduate elements of both Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Computer Science (CS) Courses.
Topics covered include: wireless systems and technologies: standards, spectrum and evolution; radio propagation, interference and PHY layer issues; design and protocols of MAC layer, network layer; challenges & opportunities in application designs for resource and cost constrained mobile terminals; impact and interaction of PHY, MAC and network layers; challenges of crosslayer design; challenges in simulation and emulation of wireless system design; software and hardware packages in the instructional laboratory (e.g. SPW, Spectrum Analyzer, ns2, OPNET, etc).
Class OverviewWireless Networks and Mobile Systems
The Wireless Networks and Mobile Systems Course is a multidisciplinary, project-orientated design course that integrates topics at all layers of wireless and mobile systems, from wireless physical layer constraints through mobile application design. The course emphasizes "hands-on' learning through experiments, case studies and design projects.
This course is focused at upper level undergraduates or an overview course for graduate students. The class utilizes a multi-level approach to instruction by combining weekly lectures, in-class lab sessions, at-home exercises (one week assignments) and longer projects (one month assignments). This comprehensive teaching approach is designed to produce students with a working knowledge of the topic and a true understanding of the presiding standards. Please utilize the Class Schedule to understand how these elements work together.
Class Overview