Computer Networks III (Datakommunikation III) is an advanced course and builds on the introductory course Computer Networks and on the intermediate course Computer Networks II. The theme of the course is wireless and mobile communication. The course is open for DV-, IT- and MN-students. The number of students allowed in the course is limited and hence, we highly recommend the prospective students interested in this course to register at the earliest.

An advanced project assignment or a term paper constitute the main part of the course. In addition the course consists of a theory part that is examined with a seminar series. A seminar has two lectures and one half-day student seminar. Students can select from different topics offered in the seminar series, e.g., wireless sensor networks, delay tolerant networks, and mobile ad-hoc networks. There is no written exam at the end of the course. Instead, the scheduled exam day is used for project demonstrations and term paper presentations with mandatory participation.

The course is given at D-level, with 5 study points and is open for graduate students. During Fall 2006 the course will be given in English. Course code: 1DT638.

Prerequisites

Computer Networks II (Datakom II) or equivalent

Course overview

The course starts Monday, October 30, 13:00 in lecture room Pol_1111 . At this occasion the course outline will be presented in detail, including a presentation of projects, term papers and the seminar series.

After this first lecture, the students (who intend to follow the course) should file a request for either a project or a term-paper topic. A form for this request can be found here. Three alternatives for term-paper topic or project should be listed in the order of preference. Students who want to work together should indicate so using the same form. The request must reach the course responsible teacher no later 1/11, 16:00 in mailbox 121 (Per Gunningberg) at level 4, House 1.

During the course there will be introductory lectures on wireless mobile communication followed by three seminar series on different topics within the area. Each student must actively participate in at least one seminar . More information about the seminars and what we expect from each student can be found here.

Groups of two or four students will be formed for each term-paper. The size of student-groups for the projects is decided based on the topics. Each group will be assigned an advisor who will be the group's contact person during the course. The project advisor will help the group with computer and other equipment, literature to read and other practicalities. The term-paper advisor will help with finding appropriate literature and moderate the quality of the term paper. The groups and respective advisors will be announced by 2/11 on the course homepage under the link Groups.

It is expected that the groups will work independently and to a large extend plan their own work so that the assignment will be finished within the study period and the allocated time.

The course is finished with a presentation day, Friday, December 15 , comprising presentation of the term papers and demonstration of projects. Each term-paper group should present their paper orally as well as do an opposition on another group's term-paper. The opposition should consist of constructive critique with the purpose of helping the group to improve it. This means that the opponents need to not only read the term-paper, but also study the area of the paper and be able to appreciate its significance. More information about the term-paper presentations and the requirements on the papers can be found here. All students who write a term paper must participate in all presentations.

Project results will be presented the same day in the form of a presentation and a demo. All students attending the course must participate during the project presentations . More information about projects and their organization will be posted under the link Projects on the course homepage.

Course material

The course book is Mobile Communications Second edition (2003), Jochen Schiller, Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0 321 12381 6. It will be used between 30-50% depending on choice of seminar. The book will be complemented with published articles and research papers for each seminar. Copies of lectures notes will be made available on the internal home page of the course.

Examination

Students will be examined and graded in terms of participation and contribution in the seminar, homework assignments on the seminar topics, presentations of and oppositions to term-papers, and project demos and presentations.

To get the passing grade 3 , you must have:

• Actively participated and contributed to a seminar (to sign up for a seminar, follow the link Seminar on the course homepage)
• Done a project with acceptable quality or written a term-paper with acceptable quality (pass grade)
• Presented the project or term-paper with acceptable quality (pass grade)
• Served as an opponent on another group's term-paper (applies only to students who write a term-paper)

To get the grade 4 , you must have (besides the passing requirements):

• Obtained a grade better than pass grade (3) on your project or term-paper
• Done one homework assignment in a seminar different from the one you actively participate in (i.e., give a presentation in). Deadline for submitting the assignment is 16:00, January 5 2007. You may of course turn it in earlier.

To get the grade 5 , you must have (besides the passing requirements): This will change as we only have two seminars. More information will be available soon

• Obtained a grade better than pass grade (3) on your project or term-paper
• Done two homework assignments in seminars different from the one you actively participate in (i.e., give a presentation in). Deadline for submitting the assignments is 16:00, January 5 2007. You may of course turn it in earlier.

Since the course uses continuous examination (in the form of seminars, homework, and project or term paper), there is no possibility for late or partial examination after the course.