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Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Course

This course is no longer updated.

Lectures: 11 weeks with two sessions per week and 1.5 hours per session.
Exam: Oral
Syllabus: Spring 2009 (PDF)
Lecture notes: Visit the Wi-Fi and BT download pages containing PDF files.
Assignments: You must complete three projects.

Contents: This course describes the popular Wi-Fi (or IEEE 802.11) networks and studies the Bluetooth standard, an important ad hoc network standard. You also learn how to write Java programs that communicate over Bluetooth links.

The course is based on material found in the Bluetooth Core Specification, as well as the textbooks shown on the right. Required reading must be done before class. In-class time will be divided between lectures, discussions, and programming exercises.

Wi-Fi lectures: The first lectures consider the problem of designing a Wi-Fi indoor microcellular network for a multi-floor building. The 802.11 MAC and management operations are then described. The remaining lectures describe the 802.11 security mechanisms, and consider the future of 802.11. Lecture slides at Wi-Fi downloads.

Bluetooth lectures: An overview of the Bluetooth standard is first given. The lower layers of the standard, often called the Bluetooth controller, are then covered and the Bluetooth error control techniques are described. Next, some of Bluetooth's upper layers are introduced, as well as the Bluetooth encryption and security techniques.

The Bluetooth Java (JSR-82) APIs are introduced and discussed during the lectures. These APIs allow Java-enabled devices to integrate into a Bluetooth environment. You will learn how to develop Java programs (MIDlets) for Bluetooth devices using Linux developer tools. Lecture slides at BT downloads.

For more information, see lists of Wi-Fi and BT Review Questions (RQs) in Norwegian.

Recommended qualifications: Familiarity with Java programming and core APIs. A basic understanding of wired networks, including the TCP/IP protocols and the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model. Basic knowledge of encryption, authentication, and integrity mechanisms.

Where to Learn More About Wi-Fi

• IEEE 802 Standards Committee
• Wi-Fi Net News
• Wi-Fi Alliance
• Wi-Fi Planet

Where to Learn More About Bluetooth

• Official Bluetooth Info Site
• Bluetooth Resource Center
• Bluetooth SIG

Last updated 30.11.09. Webmaster KJH