MODULE TITLE
MODULE CODE
EFFECTIVE FROM
MODULE LEVEL
CREDIT POINTS
Mobile Technology
COM594
July 2016
6
20
MODULE INSTANCE(S)
HOURS
Location
Semester
Magee
1
Lectures
Tutorials
Practicals
Independent study
TOTAL EFFORT HOURS
ACADEMIC SUBJECT
Module
Coordinator
Yogarajah,
Pratheepan
Teaching Staff
Yogarajah,
Pratheepan
22
4
36
138
200
hrs
hrs
hrs
hrs
hrs
Computing
RATIONALE
The cellular digital mobile phone network has been the most rapid infrastructural
development of the 20 and so far the 21 century and its evolution has been the result of an
unprecedented process of convergence of new and emerging technologies. This evolution
has created both opportunities and a rapidly growing demand, for professionals skilled in
developing the next generation new and innovative mobile software systems, popularly
known as Apps. Mobile information access is rapidly becoming the norm and a major
consequence of this trend is that it creates the need for the adaptation of traditional Software
Engineering techniques and practice to meet the peculiar demands and constraints of a new
and rapidly developing mobile infrastructure. Apps are built to run on a hybrid infrastructure
comprising aspects of the traditional fixed Internet as well as integrating with new and
emerging mobile and wireless technologies. It is therefore imperative, that graduates of
electronics and computer science understand the requirements for the production of safe
secure and reliable software systems running on this hybrid infrastructure. It follows that
students should have a level of proficiency in the concepts of the underlying mobile and
wireless environment and understand the software protocols and interfaces specific to
mobile and pervasive wireless communication systems. This module provides a rigorous
treatment of these technologies and protocols and also develops detailed knowledge and
skills in the use of mobile software development tools and techniques.
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AIMS
Developing leading-edge curriculum to teach the Software Engineers of tomorrow is a
challenge faced by universities around the world. Wireless computing is emerging to be the
standard platform supporting the implementation of computing and communication
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applications. The wireless infrastructural components of this module are based on the Intel
Higher Education Curriculum Forum project, which aims to provide an internationally
recognized curriculum for the subject. The Software Development components of the
module aim to provide the student with experience of using current and evolving industry
standard SDKs and IDEs to develop complex apps. The module is a multidisciplinary,
project-orientated design module that integrates topics at all layers of wireless and mobile
systems, from wireless physical layer constraints through mobile application software
design, development implementation and testing. The module emphasizes "hands-on'
learning through experiments, case studies and design projects to enable a clear
understanding of the “state of the art” of mobile communications systems and to extend the
students’ software development skills to encompass the software development process for
the mobile arena.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Successful students will be able to
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
K1
Be equipped with a sound knowledge of the fundamentals and principles involved in
mobile communications technologies.
K2
Understand the design of key mobile communications systems protocols and explain
why and how these protocols impact on mobile software application development.
K3
Understand the key tools and techniques that enable mobile software applications
development and make appropriate choices for specific target platforms.
INTELLECTUAL QUALITIES
I1
Comprehend the techniques of mobile applications development and be able to
explain the unique challenges faced by the developer.
PROFESSIONAL/PRACTICAL SKILLS
P1
Gain practical experience in the implementation of software applications targeted at
‘Smart-phone’ and other evolving platforms.
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
T1
Work effectively as part of a team.
T2
Prepare technical reports to a high standard.
T3
Create Mobile Software applications using current APIs and IDEs.
CONTENT
Context and Background
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2
GSM Evolution
July 2016
Wireless Networks
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Characteristics and operation of contemporary wireless network technologies
IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network;
Bluetooth wireless personal area network;
Cellular Network Characteristics
Protocols
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The TCP/IP protocol suite in a mobile environment
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Mobile IP
Mobile ad hoc routing protocols
Roaming and Handover protocols
Performance of Wireless Systems
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Performance characteristics of wireless local area networks
Mobile routing protocols, and mobile applications;
Mobile network protocols and applications monitoring tools
Security
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Security issues and current solutions for wireless networks and mobile systems;
Mobile Applications Development Environments and OS Issues
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Android DevelopmentEclipseIntelliJ
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Windows Phone 8
Visual Studio 2010/2012.NET Compact Framework
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HTML5
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iPhone Development
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3
Ubuntu Mobile Development
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Mobile Python
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Adobe AIR
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Cross-Platform Development
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Web Brower Apps versus Native apps.
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Categories of Mobile Apps
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Accessing the Mobile Internet
Mobile Database Communication
Multimedia and Social Network Apps
Location Aware Applications
GPS and GIS Applications
Mobile Web Development
Mobile payments
SMS and Telephony apps
Wireless Sensor Networks
Software Engineering and Mobile Apps
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Creating Smartphone Applications
Characteristics of Mobile Apps
Mobile Design Methodologies
Performance Considerations
Designing the UI
HCI and Mobile Applications
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Web and Web 2.0 Applications
Web Accessibility
Testing and Evaluation
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Design for Testing
Deploying Mobile Applications
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Emulators versus Devices
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
Lectures will be used to present all the relevant theory and concepts. Lecture supplementary
material will be accessible via the web.
Tutorials will be used to present practical problems associated with mobile systems and
concepts presented in the lectures.
Practical exercises will be designed to introduce the student to mobile applications software
development construction and simulation using Visual Studio and the relevant Emulators.
Emphasis is placed on the development of first class programming skills and techniques and
on understanding how knowledge of the mobile infrastructure is an essential component in
the mobile application software developer’s arsenal.
Students will be directed to read the recommended textbook from the Reading List for the
module in order to reinforce a deep understanding of the topics covered in the lectures,
tutorials and practical sessions.
The module is offered by Blended Learning.
ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK
Written examination [50%]
The examination will address the theoretical aspects of the module and there will be an
element of choice. Typically a candidate will be required to attempt 3 questions from a
choice of 5. All questions will carry equal overall marks. The examination will be of 3-hours
duration.
Practical skills assessment [50%]
Coursework will comprise the building of mobile and pervasive applications and the
generation of technical reports on directed topics. These are kept current year-on-year.
There are typically three coursework elements: These are:
Coursework 1: Technical report 1 (Week 6; 25% of overall coursework mark)
Coursework 2: Technical Report 2 (Week 10; 25% of overall coursework mark)
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Coursework 3: Mobile and Pervasive App Design and Implementation (Week 12; 50% of
overall coursework mark).
Students are provided with detailed requirements specifications and assessment criteria for
the work.
For Coursework 1 and 2, students are required to produce two technical reports on directed
key concepts studied in the module.
For Coursework 3, Mobile Application Design and Implementation, students are required to
design implement and test a mobile/pervasive application to meet a generic
specification.Within the constraints of the generic specification, students are encouraged to
generate their own idea for the app. The generic specification will specify essential
characteristics of the app. For example, Location-Awareness, Sensor Integration,
Geolocation/Mapping functionality, Augmented Reality etc., In the context of these
characteristics, the student may generate an app which incorporates some specific concept
or area of knowledge in which they have a particular and personal interest. This serves to
generate a sense of ownership of the work and encourages diversity amongst the group.
Feedback:
For the reports, summative and formative feedback is provided to each individual student via
an electronically annotated copy of the submission. There is also a group discussion on the
report topics, typically at the beginning of the class following the submission date.
For the Mobile Application Design and Implementation, formative feedback is provided at
three stages during the development process, with summative feedback on completion:
(I) Following the initial selection of the topic by email (typically about week 3).
(ii) At an interim checkpoint to monitor progress. This is typically in week 6 and is done via a
face-to-face meeting in the labs.
(iii) Following the final submission. This is by verbal comments at the demo and by an
individual emailed commentary.
The students may also request feedback in the form of support and encouragement at any
stage during the development of the app and this is dealt with variously by email or by oneto-one or group discussions in the laboratory sessions as appropriate as the module
progresses.
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50% Coursework
50% Examination
READING LIST
Recommended:
Collins C., Galpin, M. and Kappler, M 2012 Android in Practice Manning
Conder, Shane., and Darcey, Lauren 2012 Android Wireless Application Development
Volume 1: Android Essentials 3rd Addison-Wesley
Funk, Jeffrey 2010 Mobile Disruption Wiley Publications
Lecrenski, N., Watson, K. and Fonseca-Ensor. R Windows Phone 7 Application
Development Wrox
Mehta N 2010 Mobile Web Development Packy
Olewena, Jorge and Ciampa, Mark. 2007 Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications,
2nd UK Cengage Learning
Rischpater Ray 2008 Beginning Java ME Platform Apress
Rodger, Richard 2012 Beginning Mobile Application Development in the Cloud, Wrox
Schiller, J 2003 Mobile Communications 2nd Addison-Wesley
Thatcher J. et al 2006 Web Accesibility: Web Standards Regulatory Compliance Apress
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
This module addresses and develops key and emerging concepts in Mobile Software
Applications Development and is essential knowledge for electronic and computer science
graduates
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