Course content

This course studies the problem of establishing information security in wireless communication systems. The emphasis is on the applications of cryptographic protocols found in the ubiquitous technologies of mobile networks, WLAN, and other radiowave-based communication systems. The course topics advance from and assume that the student has acquired prior knowledge from basic courses in cryptography and communication technology. The course goal is to train in skills needed to proceed from understanding theoretical cryptographic specifications into engineering real-world wireless protocols.

This course may enable you to relate these technologies in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for example target 9.1 - Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure; target 9.5 - Enhance scientific research and upgrade technological capabilities; 16.10 - Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, and 17.8 - Enhance the use of enabling technology.

Learning outcome

A. Knowledge

1. Knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of information security problems in wireless communications and networks.
2. Knowledge and understanding of cryptographic protocol mechanisms used in wireless communications that achieve secrecy, integrity, authentication, privacy, key distribution, and access control.

B. Skills

1. Engineering practice by realizing a selection of existing cryptographic protocol standards specifications, utilizing an integrated development framework for wireless communicating microcontrollers.
2. An in depth study, individually chosen, of a relevant topic within the wider scope of wireless security technology, where results are documented as a technical essay.

C. General competence

1. Mutual student peer-review and assessment activities.
2. Organizing, planning, and performing lab group work.
3. Structuring and preparation of a technical essay document using LaTeX and related tools.
4. Practical experience with integrated development tools for programming of microcontrollers.
5. Make good use of digital assistants. (ChatGPT, CoPilot etc.)

Learning methods and activities

1. Lectures
2. Individual in depth study selected from a list of themes.
3. Technical essay assignment based on in depth study
4. Lab work project

All activities are running through the semester, and are presented in english. Both activites (3) and (4) are performed in student groups of three.

Activities (3) and (4) are both compulsory and must be approved in order to qualify for the final exam. All students in a group normally receive the same result. In exceptional cases where a student has not contributed sufficiently, the student may be given an individual result (not approved) based on documented lack of effort and/or participation.

Compulsory assignments

• Technical essay (individual)
• Lab assignment (in groups of 3 students)

Recommended previous knowledge

TTM4133 Mobile Networks and Services and TDT4258 Low-Level Programming (for the project work), or equivalent.

Required previous knowledge

TTM4135 Applied cryptography and network security, or equivalent.

Course materials

The learning activites and the written assignment texts define the content of the course syllabus, no special textbook is used.

Credit reductions