Enabling Technologies for Communication System Design - Study line

Communication hardware design and programming

Development and analysis of software and hardware in a communication context. This includes embedded programming and FPGA design.

Purpose and Content 
This study line is aimed at students with interest on design and implementation of telecommunication functions, with focus on enabling technologies such as embedded programming and electronics design using hardware description languages. The objective is to translate application and service requirements to functional specifications that can be implemented with appropriate choice of technology. This includes use of virtualization, embedded devices, as well as FPGA and ASIC technology. Fundamental understanding of telecommunication infrastructure and communication protocols is a key to successful function implementation, as well as in depth understanding of test and verification technologies to fulfil users (final customers, subscribers, operators, or other) expectations.

The courses included in this study line will give an attractive balance of courses on digital systems design, programming and telecommunication system architectures. The student will acquire a thorough understanding of network technologies and network architectures, e.g., communication protocols and core and access networks, and on top, the student will also master the tools and technologies necessary to analyse, implement and validate such systems. 

Career Profile 
The graduates from this study line can work in a number of different areas. For instance companies that manufacture devices and terminals for communication networks, e.g., routers, switches, mobile phones. Also at companies, that sell consultancy services including Software and hardware development or companies that deliver intellectual property cores. The general competences will also allow the candidate to work with network operators, such as telecommunication operators or internet service providers, or general development tasks in software or hardware related businesses. 

Structure of Studies
This study line requires that the students fulfill the requirements specified in the admission description of the programme in Communication and System Design described in the programme specification.

In addidtion to the compulsory courses and requirements listed in the Curriculum, the following rules apply for this study line:

In the Core competence course - specific, the student must select the following 20 ECTS points:

For the Advanced programme specific courses, the student must choose a total of 20 ECTS within the list below (if total of more than 20 ECTS of technological specialisation courses are chosen, they will count in the Electives category).

A recommended study program for each semester is shown below:

Communication hardware design and programming skema