525.735.81 - MIMO Wireless Communications

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

The following list of topics will be covered in this course in the order listed:

• Overview of MIMO Communications
• The MIMO Capacity Formula
• Application of the MIMO Capacity Formula
• RF Propagation and MIMO Channel Models
• Alamouti Coding
• Space-Time Coding
• Spatial Multiplexing
• Broadband MIMO
• Channel Estimation
  

Course Goals

To understand the fundamental principles of MIMO communications, to become comfortable with the mathematics used to describe and analyze MIMO communication systems so that you can understand the extensive published literature on this topic, and to be able to design, analyze, and simulate MIMO communication systems.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Use advanced matrix mathematics to model MIMO systems.
• Analyze, design, and simulate MIMO communication systems.
• Compute the theoretical capacity of MIMO communication systems in various propagation environments.
• Apply the waterfilling algorithm to determine the optimum way to assign power levels to antennas in a MIMO transmitter.
• Model the effects that antenna correlation and line-of-sight propagation have on the performance of MIMO communication systems.
• Apply space-time coding schemes to achieve transmit space-diversity in wireless communication systems.
• Design and simulate spatial multiplexing MIMO communication systems.
• Compute Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) parameter values for use in implementing broadband MIMO systems.
• Apply channel estimation techniques and simulate the effect of channel estimation error on MIMO communication performance.

Textbooks

Required Software

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–14 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 2-3 hours per week), listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 2–3 hours per week), and doing the weekly homework assignments (approximately 3-8 hours per week).

This course will consist of three basic student requirements:

1. Weekly Homework (30% of Final Grade Calculation)

Each module will have a graded assignment. These assignments will, in general, consist of a combination of traditional math-type problems plus Matlab projects. The Matlab projects will require each student to write one or more small Matlab routines that simulate the performance of some aspect of a MIMO communication system and that require the student to implement theory and principles covered in the modules.

All assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar.

Late submissions will receive a grade of 0 (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructor).

Grading Criteria for Homework: As stated above, homework will consist of either traditional problem solving, Matlab simulations, or a combination of both. Any given assignment involving traditional problems will be graded on a scale of 0 to 100. Any given assignment involving Matlab simulations will also be graded on a scale of 0 to 100. If a given module has both types of assignments, then both assignments will be graded separately and there will be two homework grades for that module. The rubrics for assigning grades for each type of homework are described below:

Traditional Homework Problems: Each traditional homework assignment will consist of one or more problems having value points that add up to 100. Each problem within a given assignment will be graded and assigned a value between 0 and 100 % of the points associated with that problem according to the following rubric.

100 % — All parts of question are addressed; Reasoning and approach are clearly shown and are correct; Final result is correct.

99–90 % —All parts of question are addressed; Minor flaw(s) in the reasoning or approach.

89–80 % — All parts of question are addressed; More significant flaw(s) in the reasoning or approach.

79–70 % — All parts of question are addressed; Fundamental flaw(s) in the reasoning or approach.

0 % — Late with no prior approval.

Matlab Simulations: Each simulation project will be graded and assigned a value between 0 and 100 according to the following rubric.

100 % — The program runs and generates correct results for all parts of the problem.

99–90 % — The program runs, all portions of the problem have been addressed, but there are minor differences between its predictions and the correct results. A cursory examination of the code shows that the theory has been applied correctly.

89–80 % — The program runs, all portions of the problem have been addressed, but a cursory examination of the code shows that there are minor errors in the way the theory has been applied.

79–70 % — The program runs, all portions of the problem have been addressed, but predictions are dramatically different than the correct results, or a cursory examination of the code shows that the theory has not been applied correctly.

69–60 % — The program runs but only a portion of the problem has been solved or attempted.

 < 50 % — The program does not run.

0 % — Late with no prior approval.

2. Group Discussions (10% of Final Grade Calculation)

A group discussion grade will be assigned each week ranging from 0 to 100 based on the following rubric:

100–90 — Completed both postings on time. Comments are rich in content, full of thoughts, insight, and analysis.

89–80 — Completed both postings on time. Postings show substantial thought, insight, and analysis has taken place.

79–70 — Completed both postings but one or both were late.

3. Exams (60% of Final Grade Calculation, combined from 30% for Midterm and 30% for Final)

The midterm exam will be available in Module 7 and the final exam will be available in Module 14. You will have one week to complete the midterm and 5 hours to complete the final exam (see detailed directions for a timed exam under Module 14). Each exam will consist of multiple problems having value points that add up to 100. Each exam problem will be graded and assigned a value between 0 and 100 % of the points associated with that problem according to the following rubric.

100–90 % — All parts of question are addressed; Reasoning and approach are clearly shown and are correct; Final result is correct.

89–80 % — All parts of question are addressed; Minor flaw(s) in the approach or reasoning.

79–70 % — Most parts of question are addressed; Fundamental flaw(s) in the reasoning and/or approach.

Grading Policy

A final course grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

The final grade for the course will be computed by combining the points from a) homework; b) exams; and c) group discussion.

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:

The final letter grade is obtained using the mapping shown below:

100–98 = A+
97–94 = A
93–90 = A−
89–87 = B+
86–83 = B
82–80 = B−
79–70 = C
<70 = F

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.