Core Courses

ENM 503: Introduction to Probability and Statistics

Prerequisite: Math 240 or equivalent

Introduction to probability. Expectation. Variance. Covariance. Joint probability. Moment generating functions. Stochastic models and applications. Markov chains. Renewal processes. Queuing models. Statistical inference. Linear regression. Computational probability. Discrete-event simulation.

TCOM 500/ESE 404 (ESE 404 previously numbered TCOM 400): Introduction to Networks and Protocols

Prerequisites: Undergraduate probability and analysis. Course open to Seniors and Graduate Students in SEAS and Wharton. All others need permission of the instructor.

This is an introductory course on packet networks and associated protocols that form the basis of today's communication infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on IP based networks such as the Internet. The course introduces the various design and implementation choices that are behind the development of modern networks, and emphasizes basic analytical understanding in motivating those choices. Topics are covered in a mostly "bottom-up" approach, starting with a brief review of physical layer issues such as digital transmission, error correction, and error recovery strategies. This is then followed by a discussion of link layer aspects, including multiple access control (MAC) strategies, local area networks (Ethernet, token rings, and 802.11 wireless LANs), and general store-and-forward packet switching. Network layer solutions, including IP addressing, naming, and routing are covered next, before exploring transport layer and congestion control solutions such as TCP. Finally, basic approaches for quality-of-service and network security are examined. Specific applications and aspects of data compression and streaming may also be covered.

TCOM 501: Stochastic Processes in Queueing Systems

Prerequisites: ESE 530, STAT 530, or equivalents

Description: Stochastic processes are introduced as drivers of queues to provide an analytical platform for the analysis of delays in networks models. Topics covered are selected from: Delay models in the network layer; the Poisson process; renewal processes, rewards, and the renewal theorem; Little's law; Markov chains; semi-Markov processes; Markov processes; ergodicity, limit laws and stationary distributions; M/M/1, M/M/m, M/M/m/m queues; alternating renewal processes and fluid flow models; M/G/1, G/M/1, G/G/1 queues; the Pollaczek-Khinchin formulae; priority classes; time-reversibility; networks of queues; Jackson networks.

TCOM 502: Advanced Networking Protocols

Prerequisites: TCOM 400/500 or equivalent

The course delves into the details of the many protocols whose combined operation is behind modern data networks. It starts with reviewing issues associated with naming and addressing, and in particular solutions that work at the Internet scale. This is followed by an in-depth review of the Internet's "control plane," namely the different routing protocols that govern packet forwarding decisions, including unicast (RIP2, EIGRP, OSPF, BGP, etc.) and multicast (DVMRP, CBT, PIM, etc.) routing protocols. The challenges associated with implementing efficient packet forwarding decisions are then discussed and illustrated through several representative techniques and algorithms. Next, the course introduces technologies that implement advanced functionalities over IP networks, including signaling protocols, e.g., RSVP, used to request service guarantees from the network, and protocols such as MPLS and MP-BGP that enable the efficient deployment of virtual private networks and traffic engineering solutions. If time permits, topics related to service classes and traffic management, as well as interactions between IP and other networking technologies, e.g., ATM, may also be covered.

This course assumes a basic knowledge of networking and related technologies, e.g., as covered in TCOM 500.

TCOM 512: . Application and Transport Protocols

Prerequisites: TCOM 500 (can be corequisite), and sufficient programming knowledge to edit, write, and debug programs in C, and basic undergraduate mathematical background including elementary probability.

This course covers the design, analysis, and implementation of application- and transport-level protocols. We teach basic techniques of framing, error recovery, reliable delivery, flow control, adaptation to congestion, presentation (and representation) of data, authentication and security, as applied to conversational, transactional, and dissemination-oriented transport and application level protocols. In addition to hands-on experience designing and implementing network protocols in C using the BSD socket interface, we also teach elementary modeling (through both simulation and analytic models) and measurement of network protocols.

Elective Courses

ESE 530: Elements of Probability Theory and Random Processes

Prerequisite: A semester of undergraduate probability at the level of STAT 430 or SYS 301. Instructor permission is required. This course is for students with advanced mathematical backgrounds and replaces ENM 503 in satisfying the Probability core requirement.

This rapidly moving course provides a formal, non-measure theoretic development of fundamental ideas in probability theory and random processes. This course is a preprequisite for subsequent courses in communication theory and telecommunications such as EE 576 and TCOM 501. The course is also suitable for students seeking a broad graduate-level exposure to probabilistic ideas and principles with applications in diverse settings. Topics covered include: discrete and continuous probability spaces; combinatorial probabilities; conditional probability and independence; Bayes rule and the theorem of total probability density functions, and probability mass functions; independent random variables; Borel's normal law; measures of central tendency---mean, median, mode; mathematical expectation; moments; moment generating functions and characteristic functions; tail inequalities---Markov, Chebyshev, Chernoff; limit theorems; random processes; Gaussian and Poisson processes; stationarity and ergodicity; correlations functions; spectral densities; filtered random processes; bandlimited processes and the sampling theorem.

TCOM 503 (ESE 509): Waves, Fibers and Antennas for Telecommunications

This course is designed to provide an understanding of the physcial aspects of telecommunications systems. This includes an understanding of waves and wave propagation, basic optics, the operation of optical fibers and fiber communication systems, an introduction to optical networks, free-space optical communications, and an understanding of simple antennas and arrays and their use in wireless communications.

TCOM 504: Telecommunications Lab

TCOM 510: Wireless Networking

Prerequisite(s): TCOM 500 or TCOM 512

This course provides a basic introduction to wireless networking. The focus is on layers 2 and 3 of the OSI reference model, design, performance analysis and protocols. The topics covered include: an introduction to wireless networking, digital cellular, next generation PCS, wireless LANs, wireless ATM, mobile IP.

TCOM 511: (ESE 575) Wireless Systems

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate linear systems and elementary probability theory.

System/Network Design, cellular concepts, resource management, radio management, radio channel propagation fundamentals, modulation, fading countermeasure, diversity, coding, spread spectrum, multiple access techniques.

TCOM 515: Optical Networking

Prerequisite(s): Requires undergraduate-level knowledge of engineering mathematics.

This graduate level course explores several important topics related to the analysis and design of optical transport networks. Topics covered include the propagation of signals in optical fiber, optical components, signal rates and formats, transmission engineering, time-division multiplexing (TDM), wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), layered network architectures, virtual topology design, network survivability and network management.

TCOM 551: (CIS 551) Computer and Network Security

Introduction to topics in the security of computer systems and the security of communication on networks of computers. The course covers four major areas: fundamentals of cryptography, security for Internet protocols, security for operating systems and mobile programs, and technology for electronic commerce; covers basics of the mathematics of cryptography and its applications, security risks and secure design principles for computers and networks, and security as an enabling technology for areas of opportunity. Provides an introduction to the role of security as an enabling technology for electronic commerce. Course consists of four major parts; Fundamentals of cryptography; Secuirty for the Internet protocols; Security for operating systems and mobile programs; Electronic commerce technology.

TCOM 570: Introduction to Digital Communications

Prerequisite(s): ENM 503 (Probability and Random Variables) or equivalent, and calculus.

This course is aimed at students in the Telecommunications and Networking Program (TNP) in SEAS, but should also be of interest to students in CIS, SE and BE (ESE graduate students should take ESE 576 and not TCOM 570). It will introduce the basic physical layer design considerations for digital transmission. It assumes graduate standing but does not assume any prior undergraduate coursework in communication systems, and hence is suitable for non-EE students. Credit will not be given for both TCOM 370 and TCOM 570. The course covers the following areas: Data and multimedia sources and transmission requirements, Fourier series and transforms, channel bandwidth, Transmission media, Sampling, analog to digital conversion, Digital modulation schemes, synchronization, modems, Information content of binary sources, entropy, Source coding for compression, Noise and channel capacity, Block and convolutional codes.

TCOM 596: Seminars in Telecommunications and Networking.

This series of seminars given by distinguished resarchers in industry and academia will introduce students to current research in both theoretical and systems oriented areas of networking. The course carries zero credit and no cost. It is mandatory for all full-time TCOM students, part-time students are encouraged to participate in the seminar. There will be no homework, tests or quizzes; the course will be graded as S/U. To obtain an "S" grade, students are required to attend at least 4 seminars a semester. Approximately 6 seminars are hosted every semester. Participation in the seminar course will be recorded on student transcripts. This requirement can only be waived with the permission of the Telecommunications Director.

TCOM 601: Advanced Network Modeling

Prerequisites: TCOM 501 or equivalent

Traffic Management and Call Admission: traffic characterization, traffic shaping, admission control, statistical multiplexing, effective bandwidth. Scheduling: fair queuing, rate-controlled service disciplines. Buffer Management: pushout, threshold, random early detection, sharing mechanisms (complete partitioning, complete sharing, hybrids), coupling buffer management and scheduling. Markov decision process and application in resource allocation (memory,bandwidth allocation). Switching: input queuing, output queuing, shared memory, combined input/output queuing. Maximum throughput in input queued switches, emulating output queuing with input queuing via speedup. Building larger switches: ClOS networks, banyan networks, etc. TCP modeling.

TCOM 670: Telecommunications Seminar

Prerequisite(s): TCOM 500 or permission of the instructor. Undergraduate require instructor permission

Discussion and analysis of the architectures, protocols, economics and policies affecting integrated broadband communication networks. Topics covered include future broadband architectures, quality of service, privacy, network security, the telecommunications industry meltdown and the regulation of telecommunications. Students will be asked to critically evaluate published papers and discuss these topics in class. Grading is based on class participation, paper reviews and a final presentation/paper on a selected topic.

TCOM 799: Special Topics in TCOM: Web Technologies, Protocols, and Applications

Prerequisite(s): TCOM 500 and knowledge of OO programming (Java preferred)

NB: The Special Topics course varies by term; please consult the department for further information. Past topics have included Wireless Security and Algorithms in Networking.

This course introduces the main concepts of Web technologies with special emphasis on contemporary Web design issues. The topics continually evolve as new Web technologies and protocols emerge. The course starts with an overview of key Web software technologies (Web clients, Web proxies, Web servers, Web gateways, and cookies) and a discussion of HTTP protocol design and its interaction with TCP/IP. The second part of the course concentrates on Next Generation Web, XML and its variants, Web Services, and Web-based Architectures. The emphasis of this part is on emerging approaches to build Web applications by using components based on Web Services, .NET, and J2EE. The course concludes with a discussion of Web engineering issues with a discussion of Web traffic measurement, Web caching, multimedia over Web, Web architectures, and Web-based integration. The course stresses the role of the most recent technologies such as components and Web services in architecting and integrating the modern large scale distributed applications. Emerging areas to be discussed include wireless Web, Web security, Web mining, Web applications in the telecom industry, and Web-based integration architectures. Students will have an opportunity to work with various Web tools, develop a simple Web server, and investigate special areas of interest to them.

TCOM7 899: Independent Study

TCOM7 999: Master Thesis Research.