EE 706: Communication Networks (Spring 2010)

Instructor: Saravanan Vijayakumaran
Schedule: Monday (11:35 am - 12:30 pm), Tuesday (8:30 am - 9:25 am), Thursday (9:30 am - 10:25 am)
Location: EEG 401

Prerequisites

  • Elementary probability theory - Sample space, Events, Independent Events, Conditional Probabilities, Bayes' formula, Random variables, Discrete RVs (Bernoulli, Geometric, Binomial), Continuous RVs (Uniform, Gaussian), Expectation of RVs
  • Basic programming knowledge - variables, conditional branching (if-else), loops (for, while), arrays

Course Goals

  • Understand the major issues in the design of communication networks
  • Understanding the functioning of existing networks like Ethernet, 802.11 WLAN and the Internet
  • Learn simple analytical tools used to do performance analysis of network protocols
  • Learn to do network simulation

Grading Policy

  • 40% Assignments and quizzes, 30% Midsem, 30% Endsem
  • Final Score ∈ (90%,100%] ⇒ AA, ∈ (80%,90%] ⇒ AB, ∈ (70%,80%] ⇒ BB, ∈ (60%,70%] ⇒ BC, ∈ (50%,60%] ⇒ CC, ∈ (45%,50%] ⇒ CD, ∈ (40%,45%] ⇒ DD
  • For students auditing the course, AU grade will be awarded if Final Score > 40%

Course Notes

The course notes will be written as the course progresses. Click here to download the latest draft (updated Apr 19, 2010).
Please avoid printing the chapters until the material has been covered in the class. I will be making changes based on class feedback.

Reference Books

  • Computer Networks: A Systems Approach, Larry Peterson and Bruce Davie, 2007 (4th Edition)
  • Communication Networks: Fundamental Concepts and Key Architectures, Alberto Leon-Garcia and Indra Widjaja, 2004 (2nd Edition)
  • Computer Networks, Andrew Tanenbaum, 2002 (4th Edition)
  • Data Networks, Dimitri Bertsekas and Robert Gallager, 1992 (2nd Edition)

Handouts

Slides

Videos