Core 5G and Beyond

A basic understanding of computer networks and wireless communications is recommended.

After the course you:

• Understand the basic high-level concepts including what are the key services of the mobile network
• Can outline mobile network evolution and the role of standardization
• Demonstrate knowledge of the key standardization organizations on the high level
• Understand the basic timeline of mobile networks from 1G to 5G
• Can describe the elementary network functions of 4G architecture
• Can describe the role of tunneling in 4G architecture
• Are familiar with SIM cards
• Understand the concept of a handover
• Understand 5G architecture and its key functions
• Can describe on a high level how network slicing works and how it can be applied in an application domain
• Can describe VNF and MEC and examples of their use
• Understand the evolution of the 5G architecture towards 6G
• Can discuss the performance and efficiency goals of the initial 6G planning
• Can give examples of potential new services that 6G could enable

Teaching materials are provided online.

Completion methods

• Exercises include multiple choice quizzes and numerical exercises.
• The multiple choice and numerical exercises are automatically checked.
• The course material contains text and interactive elements.
• The exercises challenge you to re-read the material and access further sources enough to produce an answer.

Open University and degree programme completion methods may be different.

Assessment practices and criteria

The course is graded pass or fail.

• Successful completion requires 100% completed exercises and minimum 80% correctness.
• Only one attempt is allowed in the multiple choice quizzes and numerical exercises.

Activities and methods in support of learning

Target groups

The course is suitable to anyone who wants to learn more about mobile networks, especially 5G and the envisioned future 6G networks.

Optional course in the Bachelor Programme of Computer Science:

• Suitable for all students in any study programme.
• The target audience is especially students with little or no computer science studies.

The course is offered among the university’s continuous learning courses.

Schedule

Recommended time or stage of studies for completion

• any stage of studies
• the course is offered continuously
• the course can be started at any time, and completed at any pace
• recommended duration is five weeks

Study module
Expiry of studies
Languages of instruction