Basic to Advanced 3GPP-Based PHY Layer Design for 5G

Dive deep into the architecture and implementation of 5G's Physical Layer (PHY) in this comprehensive course. Perfect for students, engineers, and professionals in wireless communication, this course provides a thorough understanding of the 5G technology stack, starting from mobile network evolution to advanced techniques in channel processing, modulation, coding, and system design. You will explore key concepts such as 5G network architecture, channel capacity, modulation schemes, control channels, MIMO, and more, all backed by real-world examples and hands-on practice with 3GPP standards.

Master the 5G Physical Layer — Read Standards Like a Pro!

Course Outline:

Lecture 1: Introduction to Mobile Networks and 5G

• Evolution of mobile networks over the years

• The end-to-end standardization process

• 5G network architecture and introduction to 5G technology

Lecture 2: Channel Capacity and Modulation Techniques

• Understanding wired and wireless channel capacities

• Adaptive modulation and coding strategies

• Achieving Shannon capacity in wireless communication systems

Lecture 3: ARQ/HARQ Protocols and Redundancy

• Introduction to ARQ/HARQ protocols

• Exploring Chase combining and Incremental Redundancy

• A comparison of these two approaches in error correction

Lecture 4: OFDM Fundamentals

• Wideband vs. narrowband carrier usage

• Overview of OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) principles

• Multiple-user access via OFDM and transmitter/receiver design

Lecture 5: Advanced OFDM Concepts

• Phase noise in OFDM systems

• Full system architecture of OFDM with a practical example

• Introduction to 5G numerology and its role in system design

Lecture 6: 5G Time Domain Structure and Resource Grid

• 5G time domain structure: Frame and slot definitions

• Understanding resource grid placement and frequency subcarrier spacing

Lecture 7: 5G Protocol Stack and PHY Layer Chain

• Overview of the 5G protocol stack and 3GPP specifications

• Introduction to the PHY layer chain

• CRC generation, validation, and calculation as per 3GPP standards

Lecture 8: Transport Block Segmentation and LDPC Encoding

• Reasons for transport block segmentation in 5G

• LDPC encoding from scratch and base graph selection

• LDPC encoder design according to 3GPP standards

Lecture 9: Rate Matching in 5G

• Understanding the concept of rate matching from the ground up

• Redundancy versions in rate matching

• Practical implementation of rate matching in 5G systems

Lecture 10: Interleaving and Code Block Concatenation

• The role of interleaving in 5G systems

• How interleaving is performed in practice

• Explanation of code block concatenation techniques

Lecture 11: Scrambling and Modulation

• Scrambling techniques: Why and how they are used

• Modulation techniques according to 3GPP standards

Lecture 12: The PDSCH Chain

• Understanding the full PDSCH chain, from CRC calculation to modulation

• Step-by-step review of each block's role in transmitting data symbols

Lecture 13: PN Sequence Generation and Transport Block Size Calculation

• How the PN sequence is generated step-by-step according to 3GPP standards

• Transport block size calculation, illustrated with flow diagrams

Lecture 14: PDSCH Data Recovery

• Reverse processing: Decoding and extracting bits

• Understanding how rate recovery, descrambling, and deinterleaving work in practice

Lecture 15: Control Channel Processing in 5G

• Overview of control channel formats and DCI (Downlink Control Information)

• Resource allocation in both time and frequency domains for uplink and downlink

Lecture 16: PHY Layer Processing for DCI

• Processing DCI via PHY layer blocks, based on 3GPP standards

• Differences between data and control information processing

• CORESET introduction and role in DCI processing

Lecture 17: Polar Coding and CRC Interleaver

• Detailed explanation of polar coding and CRC interleaving techniques

• Extension of theory to 3GPP standards and real-world application

Lecture 18: Sub-block Interleaving and Rate Matching for Control Information

• Deep dive into sub-block interleaving according to standards

• Practical examples of rate matching for control information

Lecture 19: The Complete PDCCH Chain

• Connecting all blocks to form a complete PDCCH chain

• Introduction to CORESET structure, design, and terminology

Lecture 20: Advanced CORESET Design and Blind Decoding

• Detailed CORESET design and its role in 5G networks

• Understanding search spaces and how blind decoding works in network entry

Lecture 21: PUCCH Channel and Formats

• Understanding different formats of PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)

• Visual explanation of PUCCH channel interleaving and mapping over a slot

Lecture 22: MIMO System Design

• Introduction to MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) concepts

• The effect of antennas at the transmitter and receiver on system capacity

• SVD (Singular Value Decomposition) and its application in MIMO data processing

Lecture 23: Reference Signals in 5G

• Types of reference signals in 5G and their role in signal processing

• Layer mapping, antenna ports, and virtual resource grid concepts

Lecture 24: Pilot Signals and Multi-layer Precoding

• Processing of pilot signals in 5G

• TDD-based precoding for SRS, CSI-RS, and DMRS

• Multi-layer precoding techniques explained

Lecture 25: DMRS and Its Importance

• Overview of DMRS (Demodulation Reference Signal)

• Usage of Type-A DMRS: single and double symbol formats

• When and why additional DMRS is used

Lecture 26: Type B DMRS and OCC Mapping

• Detailed explanation of Type B DMRS and its mapping over resource grids

• Understanding OCC (Orthogonal Cover Code) in frequency and time

Lecture 27: SRS Design and Frequency Hopping

• Overview of SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) design and parameters

• Frequency hopping and repetition in SRS, explained with practical examples

Lecture 28: SRS Configuration and Mapping

• Detailed visual demonstration of SRS mapping over the resource grid

• Consideration of frequency hopping and repetition in SRS configuration

Lecture 29: CSI-RS Configuration and Design

• CSI-RS (Channel State Information Reference Signal) design for multi-port systems

• Time and frequency domain structure of CSI-RS explained

Lecture 30: Quick Recap and Final Review

• A quick review of all the topics studied, ensuring a solid grasp of 5G Physical Layer concepts

By the end of this course, you will have mastered 5G's Physical Layer technologies, preparing you for a career in cutting-edge telecommunications.