CS 8803 O25: Advanced Wireless Networks

Instructional Team

Jim Kurose
Jim Kurose
Creator, Instructor

Overview

This course is on the principles and the practice of wireless and mobile networks. Topics covered include wireless application use cases, characteristics of the wireless channel, the wireless physical layer including modulation, wireless channel sharing, edge and core networks, the software-i-zation of wireless networks, and approaches for handling mobility, authentication, security/privacy, network resource management, energy management, user localization, and virtualization. The focus of “practice” covers the overall architectures and protocols (both control plane and data plane) of 802.11 (WiFi) networks and 5G cellular networks. Bluetooth, LEOS, and IoT networks are also covered briefly. "Practice" also includes hands-on Wireshark labs examining wireless network traces, and two systems-oriented programming assignments.

More information is available on the CS 8803 O25 course website.

This course is not foundational and does not count toward any specializations at present, but it can be counted as a free elective.

Course Goals

  1. A systems-level, end-end understanding of WiFi and 4G/5G cellular networks. With this understanding, a student would be able to explain the purpose, operation, and conceptual foundations of the myriad network protocols (both data-plane and control-plane protocols, and their interaction) involved in carrying a packet from an end-user device through a provider’s wireless access network, through the Core network, and then to a gateway to the Internet.
  2. An understanding of the unique nature of the wireless radio channel (its impairments and differences from a wired link) as well as how these characteristics impact the design of all higher layers of a wireless network architecture.
  3. An understanding of how and why techniques from traditional wired networks—resource sharing, link access, measurement/management, identity, security including authentication, Quality of Service and more—must be adapted for the wireless and mobile setting.
  4. An understanding of the principles and practice of supporting both local and global user mobility.
  5. An understanding of the requirement of wireless applications, and how these needs impact network and end-user device design.

Sample Syllabus

Fall 2026 syllabus

Note: Sample syllabi are provided for informational purposes only. For the most up-to-date information, consult the official course documentation.

Before Taking This Class...

Suggested Background Knowledge
  • Previous exposure (e.g., an introductory course) in computer networking, e.g., based on the first six chapters of the textbook: Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (https://gaia.cs.umass.edu/kurose_ross/) or similar textbook.
  • Ability to program in a high-level language such as Python.
  • An understanding of elementary probability (e.g., at the level of simple probability distributions and conditional probabilities).
Technical Requirements and Software
  • Browser and connection speed: An up-to-date version of Chrome or Firefox is strongly recommended. 2+ Mbps is recommended.
  • Operating system:
    • PC: Windows 10 or higher with latest updates installed
    • Mac: OS 13+ or higher with latest updates installed
    • Although Linux may be used for the majority of course assignments as well, a Windows or Mac computer with Google Chrome is required for proctored exams
    • You must also be able to program and execute Python or C programs on your computer.
  • Virtual Machine: You will need to sign up for an AWS EC2 account for the second programming assignment. That account is free but requires a credit card. The account comes with $100 worth of free credit for AWS time. No student has used more than $15 worth of this free credit to do the programming assignment. Details can be found on the class Canvas page.

Academic Integrity

All Georgia Tech students are expected to uphold the Georgia Tech Academic Honor Code. This course may impose additional academic integrity stipulations; consult the official course documentation for more information.