Program Structure

Module 1: Wireless Evolution and the 5G Value Proposition

• From 2G to 5G: key technical shifts and why they matter.
• 5G service classes: eMBB, URLLC, mMTC—use-cases and KPIs.
• Deployment scenarios: urban, rural, indoor, industrial, and campus networks.
• Performance vocabulary: latency, reliability, throughput, spectral efficiency, and coverage.

Module 2: 5G Architecture and Core Network Concepts

• 5G system overview: RAN, transport, and core roles.
• Core concepts: control/user plane separation, service-based architecture (high-level).
• Virtualization and cloud-native telecom: NFV/containers concepts and orchestration basics.
• Standalone vs non-standalone: deployment tradeoffs (conceptual).

Module 3: Radio Fundamentals, Spectrum, and Propagation

• Spectrum bands: sub-6 GHz vs mmWave—coverage/capacity tradeoffs.
• Propagation basics: path loss, shadowing, multipath, penetration, and fading concepts.
• Channel quality metrics: SINR, RSRP/RSRQ concepts (overview) and their impact on user experience.
• Link budgeting and planning mindset: coverage modeling and practical constraints.

Module 4: Massive MIMO, Beamforming, and Advanced RAN

• Massive MIMO basics: spatial multiplexing and capacity gains.
• Beamforming concepts: analog/digital/hybrid beamforming intuition.
• RAN densification: small cells, indoor coverage, and interference coordination (conceptual).
• Mobility and handovers: ensuring continuity in dense networks.

Module 5: Network Slicing, QoS, and Edge Computing (MEC)

• QoS and traffic classes: mapping applications to performance guarantees.
• Network slicing concepts: isolating resources for enterprise/mission-critical services.
• MEC: pushing compute closer to users for low latency and local processing.
• Use-cases: smart factories, AR/VR, video analytics, and connected vehicles (overview).

Module 6: 5G for IoT and Industry (mMTC + URLLC)

• IoT at scale: device density, power constraints, and connectivity patterns.
• URLLC concepts: deterministic-ish behavior, jitter control, and reliability targets (high-level).
• Industrial networking needs: time-sensitive communications and operational safety constraints.
• Integration with existing systems: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, LPWAN, and hybrid architectures.

Module 7: Private 5G Networks and Enterprise Deployment

• Why private 5G: security, QoS control, and operational autonomy.
• Deployment models: on-prem core, hosted core, shared RAN, and neutral host concepts.
• Site survey and planning: indoor propagation, coverage design, and capacity planning mindset.
• Operational readiness: monitoring, SLAs, and network operations basics.

Module 8: Security, Privacy, and Resilience

• Threat landscape: signaling attacks, SIM/identity risks, misconfiguration, and supply chain concerns.
• Security controls: authentication concepts, encryption, segmentation, and zero-trust mindset.
• Resilience planning: redundancy, failover, disaster recovery, and uptime KPIs.
• Compliance awareness: lawful intercept considerations and data governance basics (high-level).

Module 9: 5G-Advanced and 6G (“Beyond 5G”) Trends

• 5G-Advanced: enhanced RAN intelligence, improved XR support, and better energy efficiency (overview).
• 6G directions: AI-native networks, integrated sensing & communications, digital twins for networks (conceptual).
• New spectrum exploration: sub-THz/THz research motivations and constraints (overview).
• Sustainability: network energy optimization and greener infrastructure planning.

Final Project

• Create a Next-Gen Wireless Network Blueprint for a selected use-case.
• Include: requirements (KPIs), spectrum and site assumptions, architecture (RAN/core/edge), slicing/QoS plan, security plan, and rollout roadmap.
• Example projects: private 5G for smart manufacturing, 5G-enabled smart port logistics, campus network with MEC for AR training, or a city-scale sensor network using 5G IoT + edge analytics.