Master Thesis

Cooperative Communication in Future Cellular Networks

Project Description

In collaboration with Swisscom Strategy & Innovation, we study communication concepts for implementation in next generation cellular networks. The upcoming 4G standard LTE-Advanced is the first mobile communication standard for cellular networks that allows for the use of cooperative transmission schemes. Relaying and base station cooperation is expected to enhance data rates and coverage significantly as compared to existing 3G technologies as UMTS or HSPA/HSPA+.

In this project, we study relay based cooperation strategies and compare them with respect to range extension, increase of data rates (spectral efficiency), and expected costs (backhaul traffic, number of relays, etc.). A potential problem that arises with the use of relays is that these additional nodes also impose additional interference to nodes of adjacent cells. Therefore, sophisticated relaying methods that avoid this inter-cell interference need to be developed.

Requirements

• Understanding the fundamentals of wireless communication
• Basic Matlab knowledge
• No averseness to mathematics.

Students who not only want to learn the theory of cooperative communication but also wish to get hands-on experience on how cellular networks operate can contact Raphael Rolny. There exists also the possibility to spend part of the thesis at Swisscom Strategy & Innovation in Berne.