course-details-portlet

TTM4191

Fundamentals of Communication Technology and Security for SmartGrid

Choose study year

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Third-year courses, level III
Course start Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Digital exam

About

About the course

Course content

This course will give a basic introduction to Communication Technology and Information Security in the context of Smart Grids. The course consists of two parts with the following academic content: 1. Communication Technology: Communication networks and services, Internet, mobile networks, TCP/IP and layering. 2. Information Security: Basic principles. Encryption. Vulnerabilities and risk. Technological, human and organizational perspectives.

Learning outcome

A. Knowledge:

The student should

  1. Understand the most fundamental concepts, principles and technologies underlying computer communication networks and services, including the overall architecture of the Internet, principles of network based services, principles of switching techniques, security mechanisms, functionality and basic protocols of the five network protocol layers.
  2. Have a basic understanding of risk factors, threats and countermeasures to achieve information security.

B. Skills:

The student should

  1. Be able to reason and discuss about the architectures, principles and technologies in the design and implementation of computer communication networks and services.
  2. Be able to explain how and why the basic protocols of the five network layers work.
  3. Be able to reason and discuss information security at a fundamental level and evaluate risk for communication systems.

The course contributes to the following UN sustainable development goals:

  • Goal 7 "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all". ("Smart grid solutions allow for the integration of distributed energy resources, increase renewable sources, and demand response programs").
  • Goal 11 "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable". ("ICT infrastructure and applications: …. Smart charging and charging infrastructures and new efficiencies in energy consumption, ….").
  • Goal 12 "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns". ("ICTs enable sustainable production and consumption through implementation of smart technologies in various sectors, including: Energy (smart grids, smart metering), ….").
  • Goal 9 "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation". ("Smart meter networks that can monitor major power, water and communication infrastructure for early warning signs of issues of failure, increasing resilience").

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and laboratory exercises.

Compulsory assignments

  • Laboratory exercises

Further on evaluation

A number of compulsory laboratory exercises must be completed and approved to qualify for the final exam. The exam is given and must be answered in English only. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from digital to oral exam. If a student wants to repeat the course, approved laboratory exercises older than two years must be repeated to qualify for the final exam, regardless whether the student has passed the course earlier or not. Approved laboratory exercises from the previous two years will normally be accepted. However, this should be clarified with the course responsible early in the semester.

Course materials

Given at the start of the semester

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
TTM4100 6 sp Autumn 2021
TTM4200 6 sp Autumn 2021
TTM4190 5 sp Autumn 2021
IIKT2100 6 sp Autumn 2024
IIKT2105 6 sp Autumn 2024
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Telematics
  • Information Security
  • Communication Technology

Contact information

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Digital exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Digital exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Re-sit examination - Summer 2026

Digital exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.