Purpose

This module gives the students, 1) a general look and overview at the new communication paradigms called nanonetworking and molecular communication, 2) a detailed knowledge of how these systems work, what are the unique challenges of these systems, and the cutting edge developments in this field, and 3) a deeper understanding about how these technologies will address future nanotechnology to attain a widespread use for both in vivo and in vitro environments.

Prerequisites

To follow the introductory part no previous knowledge in the field is needed. But to follow the module at basic or advanced levels, a minimal background on probability theory and information theory is required.

Learning objectives

Students who complete the module at the introductory level will understand the reasoning behind the nanonetworking paradigm, the challenges leading to its inception, its main features, and research challenges. They will get an overview of the two main parts of current Nanonetworking research; Electromagnetic-based Nanonetworking and Molecular Communication. The focus of each of these parts will be introduced, their key components, and how these systems will enable various novel applications such as Wireless Network on Chip (WNoC), Nano Sensor Wireless Networks (NS-WN), Internet of Nano Things (IoNT), Health Monitoring, and Intelligent Drug Delivery in the greater context of a vision of the Future Internet.

Based on the information given at the introductory level, the basic level of this module will focus on how the aforementioned applications will be realized using new communication systems and nanonetworking solutions. Students who complete the module at the basic level will additionally obtain:

• Skills in the workings of three major molecular communication systems, namely the communication via diffusion, calcium signalling, and molecular motors; the biological mechanisms from which these systems are inspired; and how these mechanisms can be translated into the telecommunication domain.
• Skills in basic signalling issues in the Tera-hertz band; the differences and challenges of working in the Tera-hertz band of the electromagnetic spectrum; and how the Shannon limit will be applied to the Tera-hertz band.
• Knowledge of the microscopic theory on diffusion and how it can work in conjunction with information theory to evaluate the performance of a communication via a diffusion system.
• Knowledge of how to apply the taught concepts for solving real life problems.

Students who complete the module at the advanced level will additionally obtain:

• Knowledge of new methods that are developed in the relevant literature on improving the performance of various nanonetworking solutions utilizing complex modulation techniques, signal shaping mechanisms, transmitter/receiver design, and antenna design.
• Skills in energy modelling of nanonetworking systems, specifically for communication via diffusion and Tera-hertz signalling systems.
• Skills in designing simulations in molecular communication systems for quantitatively evaluating the performance of a system utilizing a given set of advanced mechanisms.

Pre-module material provided

References to books that give sufficient introduction to enable the students without prior knowledge to follow the basic and advanced levels of this module will be available. In particular, we refer to material on Probability Theory (Random variables, Conditional probability, Probability distributions) and Information Theory (entropy, detection estimation).

Additional material provided

Additional material such as tutorial/survey–like papers, and results from mathematical analysis and simulation experiments will be provided.

You find the full material for download here.