CENTRE FOR LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL FOR UNDERGRADUATES
FROM PHONES, TO SMARTPHONES, TO THE INTERNET OF THINGS
Key Information
Module code
Taught during
Module workload
Module leader
Department
Credit
Level
Pre-requisites
Assessment
ISSU1024
Block Two: Monday 25 July – Friday 12 August 2016
45 teaching hours plus approximately 100 study hours
Dr Ryan Grammenos with Dr Clive Poole and Prof Izzat Darwazeh
Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
0.5 UCL credits, 7.5 ECTS, 4 US
Level 1, first year Undergraduate
Standard entry requirements
15-minute group presentation (20%)
2-hour unseen written exam (80%)
Module Overview
The purpose of this module is to give attendees a taste of modern day electronics and communications
technologies, including the Internet of Things. The module will start by describing the inner workings of the
everyday smartphone, the latter being used as a ‘vehicle’ to explain the underlying scientific principles and
engineering practices. The module will conclude by discussing the business environment encountered in high
tech organisations.
Week One: The smartphone
 The microphone and speaker
 The display system
 Batteries and power supplies
 The main circuit board
Week Two: The network
 Software
 The radio subsystem
 Wireless connectivity
 Fixed connectivity
Please note that this module description is indicative and may be subject to change.
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Week Three: Internet and Business
 Protocols and services
 The Internet of Things
 The high tech business environment
Module Aims
The aims of the module are:
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To provide an informative treatment of the architecture of a smartphone including the technologies
and techniques used to transmit signals between different locations.
To introduce students to the concepts and physical principles required to develop these technologies
and techniques.
To deliver a basic understanding of key topics in electronic engineering, such as devices, circuits,
systems and signal processing.
To offer insights into the emerging theme of the Internet of Things.
To give an introduction to the challenges encountered in the world of high tech business.
Teaching Methods
The course is delivered through formal lectures, tutorials and project work. Assessment is carried out through
a written examination (80%) and the presentation of each group’s project work (20%). Student support will be
provided via tutorials, electronic communication and face-to-face meetings if and when required
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, students will:
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Understand the fundamental principles of electronic engineering.
Demonstrate knowledge of a modern day smartphone’s system architecture.
Comprehend the technologies and techniques used to build smartphones and transmit signals.
Realise that the underlying concepts of smartphones and communication networks may be extended
and applied to other areas, such as the Internet of Things.
Make an educated guess of what the future holds for smart devices and systems, as well as the
disruptive business models that will emerge.
Assessment Methods
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15-minute group presentation (20%)
2-hour unseen written exam (80%)
Key Texts
PHYSICAL ITEMS (available in UCL's Libraries):
1) Hands-on electronics : a practical introduction to analog and digital circuits
http://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/engineering/circuits-and-systems/hands-electronicspractical-introduction-analog-and-digital-circuits
2) Foundations of Analog and Digital Electronic Circuits, 2005, Anant Agarwal
http://store.elsevier.com/Foundations-of-Analog-and-Digital-Electronic-Circuits/Anant-Agarwal/isbn9781558607354/
Please note that this module description is indicative and may be subject to change.
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3) From GSM to LTE-Advanced: An Introduction to Mobile Networks and Mobile Broadband
http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118861957.html
4) 3G, 4G and Beyond: Bringing Networks, Devices and the Web Together, 2nd Edition
http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118341481,subjectCd-EE26.html
5) Cellular Radio: Principles and Design
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cellular-Radio-Principles-R-C-V-Macario/dp/0333691539
ONLINE:
MIT Open Courseware (MIT OCW):
6) Circuits and Electronics
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-002-circuits-and-electronicsspring-2007/
7) Introduction to Electronics, Signals, and Measurement
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-071j-introduction-toelectronics-signals-and-measurement-spring-2006/
8) Information Technology I
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/sloan-school-of-management/15-564-information-technology-i-spring2003/index.htm
Access via UCL Online (SFX @ UCL):
9) Unit and Ubiquitous Internet of Things
https://www.crcpress.com/Unit-and-Ubiquitous-Internet-of-Things/Ning/9781466561663
10) The Internet of Things: Connecting Objects
http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1848211406.html
Other Online Links:
11) Cellular Telecommunications & Cell Phone Technology
http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/cellulartelecomms/
Please note that this module description is indicative and may be subject to change.
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