Short Courses

MIMO Wireless is pleased to offer a variety of short courses on topics relating to theory, practical issues, standards, as well as basic wireless principles. Courses descriptions and topics can be customized based on input. Courses typically taught on-site at your location. Arrangements can be made to hold an offsite course.

Introduction to MIMO Communication (1/2/3/4/5 day courses possible) This course provides an introduction to the principles of MIMO communication, following the forthcoming textbook by Dr. Heath. An outline of topics includes (each subbullet corresponds approximately to a 1 hour lecture):

  • Introduction to space-time communication
  • MIMO Signal Processing Fundamentals
    • The MIMO discrete-time signal model
    • MIMO linear equalization
    • Single carrier frequency domain equalization, MIMO-OFDM
    • Least squares channel estimation
  • MIMO Channel Models
    • Review of channel modeling principles
    • Classification of models
    • Models used in standards
  • MIMO Information Theory
    • Capacity with channel state information at the transmitter and receiver.
    • Ergodic capacity
    • Summary of recent capacity results.
  • MIMO Communication Theory
    • Maximum likelihood detection and probability of codeword error
    • Diversity analysis using the pairwise error probability.
  • Spatial Multiplexing
    • Linear receivers
    • Nonlinear receivers
    • Linear precoding
  • Space-Time Block Coding
    • The Alamouti code and orthogonal designs.
    • Quasi-orthogonal space-time block codes and full-rate space-time codes.
  • Limited feedback precoding
    • Limited feedback, multi-mode limited feedback
    • Codebook design
  • Multiuser information theory
  • Multiuser MIMO algorithms
    • Linear precoding methods
    • Nonlinear precoding
    • Scheduling
    • Limited feedback
  • Link adaptation
    • Fast mode adaptation
    • Slow mode adaptation
  • MIMO antenna design
    • Design criteria
    • Overview of existing designs
  • IEEE 802.11n
    • Overview of MIMO features in the standard
  • IEEE 802.16e
    • Overview of MIMO features in the standard
  • 3GPP LTE
    • Overview of MIMO features in the standard
  • 3GPP UMB
    • Overview of MIMO features in the standard
  • MIMO networking
    • Summary of networking results
    • MIMO modes of cooperation including the MIMO relay channel

Introduction to Wireless Communication (1/2/3/4/5 day courses possible) This course provides an introduction to the principles of wireless communication, from a digital communication perspective, following courses materials developed by Dr. Heath. This can be taught as a theory course, course with a simulation component (Matlab or LabVIEW), or a combined theory and laboratory course. Course requires only some background in signal processing (at the undergraduate level) so is suitable for engineers from a variety of backgrounds. An outline of topics includes (each subbullet corresponds approximately to a Ā½-1 hour lecture):

  • Introduction to the wireless communications
  • Digital communication overview
  • Signal processing review
    • Signals, systems, transforms
    • Wide sense stationary stochastic processes
    • Sampling theorem, discrete-time processing of continuous-time signals
    • Frequency response of random signals and bandwidth
    • Complex baseband representation, up conversion, down conversion
  • Mathematical notions of digital modulation
    • Complex pulse amplitude modulation including PSK, QAM, and PAM
    • Additive white Gaussian noise channels
    • Optimal pulse shapes, Nyquist pulse shapes, square root raised cosine
  • Communication theory
    • Maximum likelihood detection in additive white Gaussian noise channels
    • Probability of error analysis, union bound
  • Dealing with receiver impairments
    • Overview of different impairments
    • Symbol timing
    • Frame synchronization
    • Least squares channel estimation
    • Linear equalization
    • Frequency offset estimation and correction
    • Single carrier frequency domain equalization
    • Multicarrier equalization, OFDM
    • Carrier frequency offset estimation for OFDM
    • Channel estimation and equalization for OFDM
  • Introduction to MIMO communication
  • Design example: The IEEE 802.11a physical layer
  • Design example: The GSM standard
  • The wireless communication channel
    • Methods of propagation, large scale fading, small scale fading, path-loss
    • Frequency selective fading and ISI, time selective fading and Doppler
    • Error probability in small-scale Rayleigh fading channels
    • Types of diversity
    • Practical link budget calculations
    • Concept of cellular reuse and handoff

Introduction to GNU Radio (multi-day course offerings possible) This course provides an introduction to the GNU radio platform, which can be used for a variety of rapid prototyping applications <link to prototyping tab>. Course can be tailored towards the specific needs of the company. Engineers, who have extensive prototyping experience on the GNU radio platform, teach the course.

Possible topics include:

  • Setting up Linux and the GNU radio platform
  • Introduction to GNU radio
  • Review of Python
  • Writing new modules
  • Integrating existing modules with your code
  • Debugging
  • IEEE 802.11n design example

A Peek Ahead to IEEE 802.16j We provide an introduction to the mobile multihop relaying (MMR) extension to the IEEE 802.16/WiMax family of standards. This developing revision is the first standardization attempt in relaying and marks the transition into practical multihop cellular networks.

Possible topics include:

  • A brief review of IEEE 802.16 (WiMax)
  • Goals and usage scenarios for 16j
  • Different relay modes of operation
  • Downlink behavior
  • Uplink behavior
  • Routing, ARQ, and Security
  • The future of 16j