Education

Ad-hoc networks are formed in situations where mobile computing devices require networking applications when a fixed network infrastructure is not available or not preferred to be used. In such cases, mobile devices may possibly set up an ad hoc network themselves. Ad-hoc networks are decentralized, self-organizing networks and are capable of forming a communication network without relying on any fixed infrastructure.

Ad-hoc networks form a relatively new field of research. In this lecture, besides general introduction to ad-hoc networks and their applications, we will focus on state-of-the-art methods and technologies for forming an ad-hoc network and maintaining its stability despite the dynamics of the network. 

The following modules will be discussed during the lectures:

Introduction (example topics):
- What is wireless networking
- Where to search for (academic) wireless network literature and resources

Medium Access Control (example topics):
- WiFi: hidden/exposed terminal problem, Carrier Sense Multiple Access
- Bluetooth standard: in-depth look into the channel hopping, protocol specifications

WiFi (example topics):
- Review of IEEE 802.11 standards
- Protocol format
- ISM band regulation
- Adaptive Modulation and Coding
- WiFi Matlab class (assignment)

IoT networking standards (example topics):
- LoRa: protocol specifications, energy consumption, modulation format, network design
- NB-IoT: protocol specifications, modulation format, network design

Review of wireless tools (example topics):
- Introduction to wireless packet sniffing and analysis using Wireshark (assignment)
- Introduction to Software Defined Radio
- Simple simulations of WiFi network with NS3

RFID networking (example topics):
- Principles of backscatter
- Protocol formats: EPC C1G2 and NFC-based formats
- RFID hackathon (assignment)

Cognitive radio (example topics):
- Basics of spectrum management
- White Space Databases
- Theory of spectrum sensing

The course provides an introduction to the current research trends in the area of smartphones. The course will be based on a programming project, where students will form groups of two to develop a smartphone application. This is not a programming course; students are expected to have already programming experience. 

To develop a smartphone application, a user needs to be familiar with 
(1) the signals and data that smartphones can gather, and 
(2) the mathematical tools necessary to process this data. 

This course will provide a solid background for the above two points. During the lectures we will analyze the latest research papers on this emerging field. We will dissect these papers to understand how techniques from algorithms, signal processing and machine learning are used to develop some exciting applications. The students will then use these basic technical tools to develop their own apps. 

Course will be composed of a series of seminars related to the broad topic of the Internet of Things. Students will present their results on investigations regarding the possible extension of the ideas presented in the assigned papers.

During this course, you will:

• Acquire an understanding of what a "thing" is in contemporary design practice
• Acquire an understanding of how a thing-centered design approach contributes to expanding our human-centric view of the world and offers additional resources to human imagination and capabilities
• Apply thing-centered tools and techniques to partner with things in the design process
• Select and devise thing-centered tools and techniques in your own design practice

More information

This course is an introduction to the design of Internet of Things products and services and covers fundamental technologies, user experience design and design processes. The course explores emerging practices in data-enabled design and investigates how sensor data can be utilized by designers as creative material for envisioning and creating Internet of Things products and services. At the end of the course students will have acquired a grounded understanding of the IoT and be proficient in designing data-driven IoT products and services. 

This course teaches how to develop a cloud-connected Internet of Things product and service, and focuses on foundational technologies such as cloud computing, data analytics and machine learning. The course leads students step-by-step through the entire development process of a cloud-connected IoT product and teach programming and technology skills as part of a realistic design project. At the end of the course students will have developed a fully-functional cloud-connected IoT product or services and have acquired skills and knowledge related to data, programming, visualisation and user experience.