ECE 6110: CAD for Communication Networks
Course Overview
This course focuses on modeling and simulation of computer networks. Topics include but are not limited to:
- Fundamentals of discrete event simulation
- Constructing network topologies for simulation
- Scalability in simulation
- Simulating wired and wireless networks
- Modeling and simulating network protocols, e.g. TCP, 802.11 MAC, 5G NR
- Models for wireless propagation and their simulation; path loss, shadowing, fading
- Network performance metrics
- Evaluating network performance through packet-level simulations
- Advanced topics in wireless network simulation, e.g. mmWave network modeling and simulation
The course is hands on with concepts demonstrated through use/modification of the ns-3 simulator, which is a packet-level network simulator that is widely used in networking research and by industry. Knowledge of C++ is required. Grade is based on one exam, 4-5 lab assignments, and a final project.
Lab assignments from the Spring 2022 course offering are available here.
Prerequisites:
- Any undergraduate or graduate course on computer networks (ECE 6607 not a strict prerequisite).
- Experience with C++ programming.