A review of the OSI/Internet protocol stack with focus on the issues that are critical in wireless network implementation. The unit outlines the effect of every layer in the overall performance of a wireless network.

This unit starts by giving the reader a brief overview of the concept of "Link Budgets" in order to provide a clear picture of when, where and why the choice of antennas and cables matters in wireless implementations. Thereafter, the unit covers types of antennas, polarization, isolation and coaxial cables and connectors.

A general introduction to basic physics relevant for wireless networking.

A high level introduction to wireless modes and topologies, based around real life cases, and supplying basic knowledge about the setting up of such infrastructures.

The unit focuses on the importance of having a good implementation plan to produce a good budget and discusses how to budget and plan for a wireless network.

A brief introduction to the two types of communication channels.

This module introduces Direct Digital Synthesis with prepared code that transmits arbitrary input as an FM radio signal. The module then explains how to program the DDS hardware and concludes with a simple Frequency Shift Keying exercise.

This course provides an introduction to the technology and policy context of public communications networks, through critical discussion of current issues in communications policy and their historical roots. The course focuses on underlying rationales and models for government involvement and the complex dynamics introduced by co-evolving technologies, industry structure, and public policy objectives. Cases drawn from cellular, fixed-line, and Internet applications include evolution of spectrum policy and current proposals for reform; the migration to broadband and implications for universal service policies; and property rights associated with digital content. The course lays a foundation for thesis research in this domain.

Digital Anthropology is a Spring 2003 applied social science and media arts seminar, surveying the blossoming arena of digital-artifact enabled experimental sociology/anthropology. We will emphasize on both (a) Technology Testbeds – systematically deploying research lab prototypes and corporate pre-production products in a sample human organizational population and carefully observing the social consequences, and (b) Sociometrics – using digital artifacts to better observe and measure the complex social reality of interesting human systems.

The course focuses on the creation, manipulation, transmission, and reception of information by electronic means. Elementary signal theory; time- and frequency-domain analysis; Sampling Theorem. Digital information theory; digital transmission of analog signals; error-correcting codes. A complete course with over 90 modules.

6.776 covers circuit and system level design issues of high speed communication systems, with primary focus being placed on wireless and broadband data link applications. Specific circuit topics include transmission lines, high speed and low noise amplifiers, VCO's, and high speed digital circuits. Specific system topics include frequency synthesizers, clock and data recovery circuits, and GMSK transceivers. In addition to learning analysis skills for the above items, students will gain a significant amount of experience in simulating circuits in SPICE and systems in CppSim (a custom C++ simulator).

6.976 covers system level issues of high speed communication systems and their impact on circuit requirements, with primary focus being placed on wireless and broadband data link applications. Course topics include: transistor level design techniques for high speed amplifiers, mixers, VCO's, registers and gates, and phase locked loops, and the impact of transmission line effects on circuit designs for narrowband and broadband systems. Finally, behavioral level simulation techniques are presented for phase locked loops and other communication circuits.

Step-by-step guide to building your own "cantenna" - a directional antenna made from a tin can.

This unit gives some general guidelines that are important to keep in mind when procuring wireless devices. The unit focuses on what criteria that you must have clear before you can select a product for your implementation.

Describes the ionosphere's reflection of signals.

Describes line-of-sight communication.

An overview of the different roles in a network that can be filled with a Linux computer. Brief run-throughs of configuration and example software packages for each role.

High-level introduction to mesh networks.

This unit serves as an introduction to the software A Radio Mobile, a radio simulation tool for outdoor environments. The focus of this unit is on the understanding of the different building blocks of the software. Rather than understanding how to simulate only one specific type of wireless infrastructure the learner should be able to apply the methodology to any kind of wireless system.