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5614 - 5G-Advanced, O-RAN, and 6G (3C)

Course Description

Introduction to fifth-generation (5G) wireless technology. Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN). Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB). Sidelink and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications. Enhanced Machine Type Communications (eMTC) and Narrowband-IoT. The 5G-based Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture. Open-RAN (O-RAN) architecture. xApps and rApps. Hands-on exercises with ORAN. Vision and requirements and key technologies of 6G.

Why take this course?

The existing wireless communications course (ECE5664) is already quite intense with discussions of cellular fundamentals, 4G, and 5G fundamentals. However, 5G is extremely complex and the standards are evolving rapidly beyond the initial Release 15 (“5G Phase 1”). Evolution of 5G introduces new capabilities. This is a follow up course to ECE 5664 that teaches students new 5G capabilities such as NTN and IAB. Furthermore, the Radio Access Network (RAN) deployments are now experiencing a dramatic shift. The O-RAN architecture is expected to bring openness and intelligence in the deployment of 5G RANs. Finally, the wireless industry is defining 6G requirements and evaluating potential technologies. This course teaches students these timely technologies to prepare the student to meet the emerging challenges and seize opportunities in 6G.

Learning Objectives
  • Differentiate among types of wireless Internet of Things (IoT) technologies
  • Illustrate the 5G radio protocol stack for sidelink and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications
  • Sketch the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) network architecture with transparent and regenerative payloads
  • Examine key characteristics of Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB)
  • Analyze the roles of the network functions of the Open-Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture
  • Construct xApps using open-source software for the O-RAN
  • Discover the key technologies that enable design and development of sixth-generation (6G) wireless technologies