English

Every autumn semester

The course gives a deep understanding of the principles of network construction from a performance aspect. The course comprises two main components, investigation and dimensioning of networks through mathematical modelling and simulation as well as fundamental network architecture types. The course covers both public and local access network constructs such as 3G/LTE as well as WLAN, Ad-Hoc and Mesh networks, Internet of Things, etc. Furthermore, the course covers performance issues such as queuing behaviour, congestion control and performance engineering. The course covers both theoretical aspects through modelling as well as practical studies through a system design project.

The course gives a deep understanding of principles, functions and techniques that form the foundation of communication networks with an emphasis on wireless communication systems. In particular, the course covers these functions' behaviour and performance based on the stochastic nature of the data streams in modern communication networks.

The course covers both public systems (3G, LTE) and technologies for wireless local networks (WLAN, Ad-Hoc, and mesh networks). The course gives an understanding of how these systems integrate more and more, advantages and disadvantages as well as problems and their solutions in connection with this integration. The courses also discusses current and future trends in network systems such as Internet of Things and Tactile Internet, and the enabling technologies being developed for them.

The course structure contains lectures and exercises, as well as a lab on network simulation and data analysis. Further, students will complete a group-based system design project.

The course is divided into the following modules:

Review of probability, stochastic processes and basic computer networking
Medium access control using reservation schemes and random access schemes
Network architectures for licensed and ulicensed spectrum
Modelling for performance analysis
Traffic management: queueing systems and congestion and flow control
The following systems and technologies are covered:

WLANs
Ad-hoc, mesh and sensor networks, and routing protocols designed for such networks, including geographic routing
Internet of Things
Cellular systems (GSM, UMTS, LTE and a discussion of 5G)
MAC protocols: ALOHA, CSMA, 802.11 (WiFi), including the Bianchi model of 802.11
Congestion and flow control techniques such as Random Early Detection, token bucket schemes
Queueing disciplines such as priority queueing, weighted fair queueing, class based queueing
TCP flow and congestion control and retransmission strategies

Explain the operation of the network protocols and algorithms covered in the course
Describe the different network architectures covered in the course
Explain the network models covered in the course and describe key results drawn from them such as fundamental performance bounds
Give reasons for the design choices made in existing network protocols, algorithms and architectures, with reference to system performance
Describe current research problems and directions in networking

Choose appropriate protocols and algorithms for a given network system
Create and analyse models of networks for the purpose of performance analysis
Analyse network performance using theoretical tools covered in the course such as stochastic processes and queueing theory
Perform statistical analysis on experimental or simulation data and draw conclusions about the performance of the system studied
Design network systems from a specified scenario and performance goals
Find information in the scientific literature within the course's field of knowledge

Compare and contrast different network protocols, algorithms and architectures and give their relative advantages and disadvantages
Evaluate network systems and identify their performance goals and constraints
Evaluate the reliability and significance of experimental or simulation data
Evaluate the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of different methods for modelling, analysing, and testing network performance
Critically evaluate information in the scientific literature within the course's field of study

Lectures

Laboratory exercises

Exercises

Project

Written exam

Written report

Written assignments

The course assessment is divided in two sections, a written exam and a project assignment.

Failed, pass

Sadiku, O., Matthew N. & Musa, Sarhan M.: Performance Analysis of Computer Networks. Springer, 2013.

Course Coordinator: Emma Fitzgerald, emma.fitzgerald@eit.lth.se

ETSN10F

 -03-02

Professor Thomas Johansson