MSc Communications Networks and Software
Factfile
| Typical Entry Requirements | A good honours degree in mathematics, computing, physical sciences or engineering disciplines. Our normal entry level is a minimum of a Lower Second or equivalent; however, with industrial experience, we can be flexible in our entry requirements. |
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| Programme length | 12 months full-time, up to 48 months part-time |
| Start date | October |
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| Fees | Fees for this programme can be found on our fee rates 2010/2011 page. |
| Funding | A few scholarships are available from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and charitable trusts. There are also Commonwealth scholarships available within the University for overseas students, but these are very competitive and early application is vital. |
| Professional recognition | As an IET-accredited institution, our programmes are countable under the continuing professional development (CPD) scheme. |
| Download course brochure |
| Contact details |
For general enquiriesT: 0800 980 3200 or +44 (0)1483 681681 For admissions enquiries
T: +44 (0)1483 686160 |
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| Apply online now |
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We offer the following MSc programmes in the field of communication systems:
- MSc Communications Networks and Software
- MSc Mobile Communications Systems
- MSc Mobile and Satellite Communications
Mobile and satellite communications and Internet-based networking are now an essential part of life. Long term, we expect to see the development of infrastructure-less networks that support wireless handheld devices, bringing us closer to ubiquitous wireless communications.
Mobile telephony is reaching saturation in the most technologically advanced countries and is rapidly becoming the main telecommunication infrastructure in the rest of the world. Our MSc Mobile Communications Systems gives you a thorough understanding of the engineering aspects of this rapidly developing field.
Mobile communications provide terrestrial coverage in densely populated areas, while satellite communications enable wireless communication in regions where mobile networking is not cost-effective. Our MSc Mobile and Satellite Communications gives you an in-depth understanding of the engineering aspects of these important technologies.
We are placing ever greater demands on the Internet, and traditional telecommunication infrastructures are migrating to Internet-based architectures and protocols. Our MSc Communications Networks and Software covers the key aspects of the changing Internet environment, in particular the convergence of computing and communications underpinned by software-based solutions.
MSc Communications Networks and Software
Compulsory Modules
- Data and Internet Networking
- Network and Service Management
- Object-oriented Design and C++
- Principles of Telecommunications and Packet Networks
Optional Modules (select four)
- Advanced Signal Processing
- AI and AI Programming
- Mathematics of Signal Processing
- Mobile Applications and Web Services
- Mobile Communications A
- Mobile Communications B
- Multimedia System and Component Technology
- Operating Systems for Mobile Systems Programming
MSc Mobile Communications Systems
Compulsory Modules
- Data and Internet Networking
- Digital Communications
- Mobile Communications A
- Mobile Communications B
- Principles of Telecommunications and Packet Networks
Optional Modules (select three)
- Advanced Signal Processing
- Data and Internet Networking
- Mathematics of Signal Processing
- Mobile Applications and Web Services
- Network and Service Management and Control
- Operating Systems for Mobile Systems Programming
- Principles of Telecommunications and Packet Networks
- RF Systems and Circuits
MSc Mobile and Satellite Communications
Compulsory Modules
- Digital Communications
- Mobile Communications A
- Mobile Communications B
- Satellite Communications A
- Satellite Communications B
Optional Modules (select three)
- Advanced Signal Processing
- Data and Internet Networking
- Mathematics of Signal Processing
- Mobile Applications and Web Services
- Network and Service Management and Control
- Operating Systems for Mobile Systems Programming
- Principles of Telecommunications and Packet Networks
- RF Systems and Circuits
Passport to a Career
These MSc programmes provide you with the skills and knowledge to either continue on with research or to find employment with network and service providers, mobile and networking equipment suppliers, mobile telecoms operators, broadcast industry, spectrum regulators and corporations with advanced IT and communication services and networking infrastructures.
The University of Surrey is internationally known for its teaching and research in communications technologies. Our graduates are highly regarded and many now hold major positions in international companies. After your MSc you will be connected into the Surrey network for the rest of your career.
Teaching
Taught Masters programmes in the Department of Electronic Engineering utilise our research-active staff in conjunction with state-of-the-art facilities to provide a range of learning experiences – lectures, tutorials, directed study, practical laboratories and project work – that prepare graduates for their professional life.
We are particularly keen to develop in all our students a broad range of generic skills to complement the core technical or scientific competencies of their chosen subject area. Our modular programme format, coupled with the increasing use of innovative teaching and learning strategies such as e-learning and industrially focused short courses, provides a flexible study environment whilst maintaining the academic rigour and quality expected of one of the UK’s top-rated faculties.
Facilities, Equipment and Support
We have a full range of software support for assignments and project work, including Matlab/ Simulink, C, C++ and up-to-date toolboxes, systems view, OPNET and NS2. You will be able to access system simulators already built in-house, including 3GPP, BGAN, DVB-S2-RCS, GSM, UMTS, DVB-SH, WCDMA, GPRS, WiMAX, LTE, HSPA and HSDPA.
Our Rohde and Schwartz Satellite Networking Laboratory includes DVBS2-RCS generation and measurement equipment and roof-mounted antennas to pick up satellites. A security test-bed also exists for satellite security evaluation.
We have a fully equipped RF lab with network analyser, signal and satellite link simulations. In addition we have a small anechoic chamber for antenna measurements. A wideband MIMO channel sounder is available for propagation measurements.
SatNEX is a European Network of Excellence in satellite communications, and a satellite platform exists to link the 22 partners around Europe. This is used for virtual meetings and to participate in lectures and seminars delivered by our partners.
A fully equipped UHF/VHF satellite ground-station facility is located on campus, which is being expanded to S-band and is supported by the ESA GENSO project. At present the station tracks amateur satellites and CubeSats.
Our wide coverage experimental wireless network test-bed is based on IPv4, and IPv6 for testing new networking protocols for mobility, handover, security, cognitive radio and networking can be carried out. Most networking protocol projects use this test-bed, with the help of PhD students and staff.
We are the only university in the UK that has an IP-Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) test-bed for developing and experimenting advanced mobile/ wireless services/applications. You can use this to carry out your services and application-based projects for mobile multimedia, such as multi-mode user interface, service mobility, service discovery and social networking services.
Our wireless sensor test-bed is unique. Advanced routing protocols, middleware architectures, air interface and networking protocols for wireless sensor networks can be developed and tested.
Dissertation and Projects
The projects are a major part of the programme. They are designed to enable you to demonstrate your skills and ability to solve real-life problems, while gaining more detailed knowledge on a particular topic.
Projects can either be carried out within a research group or, when the project is based on a practical problem suggested by industry, at the partner organisation’s premises. Participants have worked with INMARSAT, Logica, BT, Astrium, SSTL, Vodafone, Hutchison, O2, Orange, Motorola, Alcatel-Lucent, NEC, Nokia, Aircom, OFCOM and a number of local small companies.
Projects can be theoretical, simulation-based or experimental. In all cases, you are expected to show innovation and an ability to come up with your own solutions.
Example Projects:
Capacity Enhancement of Mobile Cellular System Using Pico-Cells
This project aimed to investigate a small cell employing a small base station interconnected using wireless links, resulting in a conference publication and funding for a PhD for the student.
Carrier and Time Offset Estimation in OFDM 4G Mobile Systems
OFDM systems performance is sensitive to carrier frequency and time estimation errors, particularly at high mobile speed. The project was carried out in the Matlab platform and several estimation techniques were implemented and evaluated under different mobility conditions.
Handover between WLAN and UMTS Systems
This was a hardware/software-based project using the Surrey wireless test-bed. A handover scheme which uses mobile IP and context transfer was implemented and tested using video streaming, reducing the handover break from several seconds’ delay to a sub-second delay.
Interference Management for Future Mobile Cellular Systems
Part of a large EU-funded project, the work focused on intelligent and distributed (multi-cell) resource management focusing on cell-edge capacity. The project was carried out via computer simulation of mobile systems using and enhancing the existing simulator at Surrey.
Intra-domain Traffic Engineering for Quality of Service Through Differentiated Routing
This project investigated through software simulation proposals to route traffic along different paths according to their different delay requirements, and showed how different delays could be achieved for different traffic types.
Satellite Communications with UAVs
This project investigated the use of DVB-RCS at Ka band for theatre of war and environmental monitoring with real-time data requirements.
Wireless Sensor Networks
This project involved programming several wireless sensor nodes and setting up a wireless sensor network for measuring activities such as room temperature and the presence and activity of people. The wireless sensor network was interconnected with the Surrey IP network test-bed and demonstrated real network performance.
Links with Industry and International Organisations
The University of Surrey has very close links to communications technology companies who use our MSc programmes as their main training ground. An industrial board also helps us to shape our programmes and views all student project posters, helping to keep our programmes relevant and enabling our students to meet good contacts.
Lectures, visits and projects are provided in association with a large number of key industrial partners. For example, as part of the Satellite Communications A module, there are five industrial lectures to complement the academic presentations, whilst the Mobile Communications B module includes several lectures by the Director of Vodafone Global R&D based on the practical issues involved in running a mobile network.
We have collaborations with organisations in Germany, Greece, France, Italy, Sweden, China, India, Pakistan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and the US.
