MAS.S61: Emerging Wireless and Mobile Technologies (aka The ‘‘Extreme IoT’’ Class), Fall 2020

Instructors: Fadel Adib, Reza Ghaffarivardavagh

Lectures: Mon 3:00-5:00PM (online)

Office Hours:

  • TBA

Course Overview

This graduate-level seminar focuses on emerging Internet of Things (IoT) systems and technologies. It explores the wireless and mobile foundations of these technologies, and covers the latest research in IoT system design and implementation. The class will cover fundamental techniques, emerging topics and application domains, and the long-term impact of these technologies on smart environments, self-driving cars, networking, security, manufacturing, oceans, climate, and healthcare.

Course Structure: The class revolves around the “MIT IoT Seminar Series”. The seminar series will be launched this Fall, and it features world-class IoT researchers and practitioners presenting their latest work and visions for the future of IoT. The class will be divided into two components: the first component will focus on understanding the foundations of IoT technologies (connectivity, power, sensing). The second component will consist of invited seminars by external speakers, followed by in-depth discussions to unpack the fundamental concepts underlying these technologies, as well as discussions aimed at gaining perspective of the immediate and long-term industrial and societal impact of these technologies. The class will have weekly assigned readings and a semester-long project on an emerging IoT technology.

The course will cover the following topics:

  • Millimeter-Waves for 5G Networks

  • Low-Power Wide-Area Networks

  • Smart Surfaces for Wireless Networks

  • RF Imaging for Self-Driving Cars

  • Ocean IoT

  • Mobile Health Biomarkers

  • Acoustic Sensing & Communications

  • Visible Light Communications & Sensing

  • IoT Security

  • Localization & WiFi Sensing

  • Energy Harvesting & RFIDs

Announcements

  • Sign up for the MAS.S61 Piazza forum. We'll be using Piazza for Q&A and other discussions, so please sign up ASAP.

  • The first lecture will be on Monday, September 14.

About the Course

Units

12 (2-0-10).

Prerequisites

Students are expected to have undergraduate-level background in computer systems and signal processing. Experience with at least one programming language, such as Python, C, or MATLAB.

Grading policy

The class will be graded as follows:

  • Reading Questions and Participation: 30%

    • Paper reviews before class: 15%

    • Class participation: 15%

  • Project: 70%

    • Proposal (1-2 pages): 10%

    • Progress Report 1: 10%

    • Progress Report 2: 10%

    • Presentation: 20%

    • Final Report: 20%

Readings and Reviews

Each lecture will have one or two assigned readings, which we will all read prior to the class. All students are expected to have thoroughly read the paper, and come to class ready to discuss them in detail. This is essential to get the most out of the class!

Before each class, students must submit a short review (one to two paragraphs) of the required readings. Submit your review at the Review Submission submission page. Reviews will be accepted by 12am (midnight) the night before the class. Each student may skip one review during the semester without affecting their grade.

Participation

We expect you to attend all lectures, unless there are pressing or unforeseen conflicts. Conflicts that are persistent (e.g., registering for another class at the same time and “splitting” attendance between them) are not excused.

Research Project

The research project is a core component of the course. Students will propose and conduct in groups of 2 or 3. It is OK (and often a good idea) to work on a class project that complements your ongoing research provided it is relevant to the course. Talk to Fadel if you're not sure whether this would work.

The project milestones and rough timeline are as follows:

  • Proposal (1-2 pages): October 14

  • Progress Report 1: November 4

  • Progress Report 2: November 20

  • Final Presentation: December 7

  • Final Report: December 9