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IK1330 Wireless Systems 7.5 credits

Course memo Autumn 2026-10771

Version 1 – 10/25/2026, 12:34:27 PM

Course offering

Autumn 2026-10771 (Start date 26 Oct 2026, English)

Language Of Instruction

English

Offered By

EECS/Communication Systems

Course memo Autumn 2026

Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version Autumn 2022

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

Channel capacity, transmission, multiplexíng,

Antennas, wave propagation, spectrum, fading,

Digital modulation, spread spectrum FHSS, DSSS,

Multiple access methods FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, OFDMA,

Error detection and error correcting codes,

Wireless networks using standards for cellular mobile broadband systems, wireless LAN, sensor networks and PAN,

Environmental aspects, social, market and economic factors concerning wireless systems.

Intended learning outcomes

To pass, the student should be able to:

  • describe, at a general level, how fading (variation of the field strength of a radio signal) in a radio channel influences link-performance in wireless communication systems.
  • dimensioning a radio link in terms of range and channel capacity based on given conditions
  • estimate the capacity of a radio network and describe the relation between system capacity, deployment strategy, cost and available spectrum
  • describe structure and actors on a telecom market
  • explain how multiple access-methods works
  • describe at a general level system architecture for different existing systems for wireless communication
  • explain, in a wide sense, the environmental and sustainability challenge of the ICT-industry. (Electromagnetic radiation, energy, limited natural resources, environmentally harmful effects)

For higher grades, the student should furthermore be able to:

  • explain wave propagation mechanisms and make judgments based on how these mechanisms affect the wave propagation
  • Solve a general design problem for the radio links and radio networks by using simple formulas
  • In a telecom market, be able to explain, the main actors business model and how the make money
  • explain, at a general level, the functionality of different existing systems for wireless communication and compare their capacity, performance and environmental aspects
  • Be able to judge the economic and social advantages of providing affordable telecommunication in relation to its environmental effects.

Learning activities

The course consists of lectures, seminars, and laboratory exercises with supervision. The lectures consist of a combination of theory and problem-solving. Difficult parts of the course are presented during the lectures, and other parts of the course must be studied on your own.

The seminars consist of discussion and review of problems. For each seminar there are a set of problems to be studied. Before the seminar, you will try to solve all the problems and bring your suggested solutions. During the seminar, you will review the solutions in a group of students. After your group has reviewed all the solutions for all the problems, one member in each group presents a selection of the problems for the class.

Attendance at the seminars is mandatory.

Missed seminars can be completed by a home exam at the end of the course. The kind of tasks at the home exam is depended on the ones missed at the seminars.

You will also make three case studies in the course, two technical on radio links and on radio networks and one about techno-economy and deployment of mobile networks. The technical case study consists of several problems covering the design of radio links and radio networks. The solutions are discussed in supervision meetings and presented orally and in a short report. The case studies are made in groups. 

Case studies determine the grade of the course. You get an individual grade based on your part of the case studies and your own review reports.

The laboratory sessions shall provide an opportunity to practice newly acquired knowledge of wireless systems, as well as demonstrate different aspects of wireless communication and the handling of hardware.

Attendance on supervision meetings and laboratory work is mandatory.

Detailed plan

Weekday Begin date Begin time Activity Room Description Reading Problems Teacher
Monday 2026-10-26 10:00 Lecture 1 B26 Introduction and overview of the course textbook: Chapter 1, 2.4(-)   AV
Tuesday 2026-10-27 10:00 Lecture 2 B26 Introduction to transmission textbook: Sections 2.1, 2.2, Appendix 2A, Offprint: Appendix B 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.10, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 AV
Wednesday 2026-10-28 13:00 Lecture 3 B25 Introduction to Radio-links 1 textbook: Sections 6.1-6.6 6.1, 6.2, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15, 6.16 AV
Tuesday 2026-11-03 10:00 Lecture 4 B25 Introduction to Radio-links 2 See Lecture 3 See Lecture 3 AV
Thursday 2026-11-05 10:00 Lecture 5 B25 Modulation textbook: Chapter 7 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.10, 7.13, 7.17 CB
Friday 2026-11-06 10:00 Lecture 6 B24 Channel capacity, multiplexing and spread spectrum technology textbook: Sections 2.3, 2.5, Chapter 8 and 9 2.11, 2.12, 2.13, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4,  CB
Monday 2026-11-09 10:00 Seminar 1 V22 Radio-links Offprint   KWS
Wednesday 2026-11-11 10:00 Lecture 7 E31 Coding and Error Control textbook: Chapter 10 10.2, 10.5, 10.6, 10.9, 10.16, 10.20, 10.21, 10.26 AV
Friday 2026-11-13 13:00 Lecture 8 Q24 Radio Networks 1 textbook:  Chapter 13.1. Offprint Appendix A 13.1, 13.2. 13.6, 13.7, 13.9, 13.10, 13.11 CB
Monday 2026-11-16 10:00 Seminar 2 Q33 Modulation and Coding  Offprint   KWS
Monday 2026-11-16 13:00 Lab 1 COS Measurement of signal strength from base-station Lab 1 Instructions   CB, MN
Thursday 2026-11-19 13:00 Lab 1 COS Measurement of signal strength from base-station Lab 1 Instructions   CB, MN
Friday 2026-11-20 13:00 Lecture 9 B26 Radio Networks 2 textbook:  Chapter 13.2-13.6, Chapter 14   CB
Monday 2026-11-23 10:00 Lecture 10 B26 Intro to wireless economics, telecom markets and student task See list of readings   JM
Tuesday 2026-11-24 10:00 Lecture 11 B26 Mobile network dimensioning and deployment, spectrum allocation See list of readings   JM
Wednesday 2026-11-25 13:00 Lecture 12 B26 Wireless Communication Systems 1 textbook: Chapter 11, 12 1.3, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.8 CB
Thursday 2026-11-26 10:00 Seminar 3 K51 Radio networks Offprint   KWS
Monday 2026-11-30 13:00 Lecture 13 B26 More on network dimensioning, deployment options and cost structure, Q&A See list of readings   JM
Wednesday 2026-12-02 08:00 Lecture 14 B26 Wireless Communication Systems 2 textbook: Chapter 11, 12, 16.1-16.3 16.3, 16.4, 16.6 CB
Tuesday 2026-12-08 13:00 Lab 2 XQ32 Cell Planning Lab 2 Instructions   CB, MN/AV
Thursday 2026-12-10 13:00 Lab 2 XQ32 Cell Planning Lab 2 Instructions   CB, MN/AV
Wednesday 2026-12-16 14:00 Examination M33 Case study 2     JM

Preparations before course start

Literature

Wireless Communications & Networks, Beard, Cory, and William Stallings Edition: 1:st, Publisher: Pearson: 2015 or similar book.

Examination and completion

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • SEM1 - Seminars, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • INL1 - Problem Assignments, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
  • LABA - Laborative Work, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading criteria/assessment criteria

The course consists of three parts, LABA, 1,5 HEC, SEM1, 1,5 HEC and INL1 , 4,5 HEC.

INL1 consists of three case studies for a final A-F grade. The grade of the course is dependent on the grade of INL1 (provided that all the other parts have the grade P).  Each of the case studies is graded Fail, Pass (E), Pass with distinction (C), Pass with particular distinction (A). The different case studies are then combined according to table 1 below.

Table 1: Course grading criteria

Course Component E D C B A
SEM1 P P P P P
LABA P P P P P
INL1 Case study 1a: Radio Link At least E At least E and at least one C At least C At least C and at least on A At most one C and the rest A
INL1 Case study 1b: Radio network At least E At least E and at least one C At least C At least C and at least on A At most one C and the rest A
INL2 Case study 2: Deployment scenarios At least E At least E and at least one C At least C At least C and at least on A At most one C and the rest A

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

INL1 can be completed by revising the case studies

Alternatives to missed activities or tasks

Missed seminar can be completed by a home exam at the end of the course, there will be make up sessions for missed supervision meetings 

LABA can be completed during the next course round

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

No information inserted

Round Facts

Start date

26 Oct 2026

Course offering

  • Autumn 2026-10771

Language Of Instruction

English

Offered By

EECS/Communication Systems

Contacts