Our world thrives on connectivity, and understanding wireless networks is paramount for engineers from all backgrounds. Wireless Networking 101 dives into wireless communication, with a special focus on the Fifth Generation (5G) of mobile radio networks.  5G stands as one of the most critical wireless technologies, orchestrating advanced communication services that extend their support across diverse verticals. From powering the Internet of Things (IoT) to enabling ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), 5G is not merely an evolution; it is a paradigm shift enabling new use cases for Radio Access Networks (RANs).  Despite their importance, RAN devices have been historically unyielding—prohibitively expensive, closed black boxes that resisted any form of programmability, customization, experimentation, or hacking. However, recent advancements in software-defined radios and the availability of open-source implementations for the entire 5G network stack have unlocked revolutionary opportunities for homebrew experimentation with cellular networks. Today, fully compliant 5G networks can be deployed with just a laptop and software-defined radios, and the underlying software can be modified to cater to the specific needs of diverse applications.   The core of this course centers around the programmability of 5G networks, structured into two integral parts. Firstly, a theoretical segment will give students fundamental knowledge of mobile radio networks and 5G. This theoretical foundation sets the stage for the practical phase, where students get hands-on experience modifying a software-defined base station and experimenting with commercial cell phones. The culmination of this course takes the form of a final project with the goal of implementing a new functionality or modifying an existing one.

dal November 2023 a November 2023