Max amount of FITech students: 25
Persons without a valid study right at a Finnish university or university of applied sciences have preference to this course.
This course provides a multidisciplinary approach into the design, deployment, and socio-economic impact of modern wireless communication systems. As digital equity becomes a global priority, understanding how to build resilient, self-sustaining networks in remote or underserved areas is essential. Students will master the technical fundamentals of wireless communications, while simultaneously learning to empower these systems using renewable energy sources. Moving beyond the “how” of engineering, the course challenges students to apply user-centered design and entrepreneurial thinking to develop digital services that empower rural communities.
Course contents
The content of this course is divided into four different units:
- Unit 1: Wireless communications. Introduction to wireless communications, fundamentals of mobile communications, hardware and wireless link budgets, modulation and error control coding, multi-antenna systems (MIMO), mobile communications systems (4G & 5G), wireless communication systems (WPAN/Bluetooth, WLAN/WiFi & LPWAN/LoRa), Key Performance Indictors (Energy and Spectral efficiency).
- Unit 2: Data networks. Introduction to data networks, architectures of data networks, routing in data networks. Introduction to satellite communication networks.
- Unit 3: Sustainable energy sources. Renewable energy sources, technologies for renewable energy systems, dimensioning renewable energy generation systems, energy storage devices. Practices and new habits to maximise energy efficiency.
- Unit 4: Human and social aspects of digital technologies. User-centered mobile service design, design with participation from rural communities, social aspects of community networks.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, the students
- know the fundamentals of wireless communications, including the modeling of the radio channels and the analog frontend blocks (antennas, amplifiers, etc.)
- understand the processing that is carried out in the Physical and Data Link layers of a wireless communication system, and its relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- know the main differences between wide area (long-range/satellite & mobile) and local area (short-range/WiFi & LoRa) radiocommunication technologies
- know how to plan the deployment of a (private) wireless communication system (Wi-Fi, SatCom, LoRa) and carry out some practical measurements
- know the different renewable sources of energy to power a low-power connectivity node and dimension the size of solar panel for proper operation
- can identify new entrepreneurial business ideas, enabled by wireless connectivity technologies in rural areas, considering customer and user-centered development of digital services.
Course material
The course utilises lecture slides and supplementary reading materials, such as academic articles and technical reports recommended by the instructors. All materials will be distributed digitally via the learning management platform (i.e., MyCourses).
Teaching schedule
Lectures, visits, and other group activities will take place intensively during 8-12 June 2026, from 9.00-17.00 (week #24). No final exam.
Completion methods
Quizzes, learning diaries, and group work presentations.
More information in the Aalto University study guide.
You can get a digital badge after completing this course.