EECE5155:

Wireless Sensor Networks and the Internet of Things

Course Syllabus
Instructor
Elena Bernal Mor
Assistant Teaching Professor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things
Northeastern University

Office: 411 Dana

E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday 1:30 - 2:30 PM at Dana 411 or make appointment for other time.

Teaching Assistant
Li Wang
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: TBD

Hourly Course Assistant

Prathamesh Jagdale
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: TBD

Course Meeting Time and Location

Monday and Wednesday, 2:50 – 4:30 PM
Snell Library 033

Brief Description
Within the last two decades, major breakthroughs in the field of electronics, embedded systems, and
wireless communications have paved the way for the development of the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT
defines a truly cyber-physical system in which all sorts of physical devices, ranging from standalone sensors
and actuators to home appliances and vehicles, are interconnected and able to autonomously interact with
each other. This new form of seamless connectivity is the enabler of many diverse applications in the fields
of smart healthcare, home monitoring, and automation, environmental monitoring and pollution control,
smart grid and infrastructure management, real-time monitoring of industrial processes, and intelligent
transportation of people and goods, among many others. Today, the IoT is the focus of many research
initiatives worldwide with multi-billion investments by both governmental agencies and industry.

In this course, the state of the art in communication, networking, and data collection technologies for the
IoT will be introduced through a series of theoretical lectures, computer laboratory assignments, and a final
project. In the theoretical lectures, the main steps in the data path will be presented, including data
acquisition, local data processing, data communication, data stream, data storage & cloud, and data
analytics. Special emphasis will be given to the design, modeling, and experimentation of communication
and networking solutions at all the layers of the protocol stack (from the physical layer to the application
layer).
At the appropriate layers, the main communication standards to provide IoT connectivity, such as SigFox,
LoRaWAN, and NB-IoT, will be presented. In the laboratory assignments, computer-based experimental
assignments with advanced network simulation using ns-3 and monitoring tools such as Wireshark will be
conducted to better illustrate and solidify the concepts learned in the class. Finally, students will be
grouped and assigned to work on separate virtual projects focused on different application areas of the
IoT (e.g., the Internet of Underwater Things, the Internet of Underground Things, the Internet of Nano-
Things, etc.). By the end of the semester, students will write a technical report and orally present their
work in class.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

This course will provide the students with the advanced competitive skills required to contribute to the
development of the IoT.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe the main network architectures and device components of IoT systems
• Identify and describe the main data collection, transmission, storage, and analysis tools for the
IoT
• Analyze and interpret packet traffic from real telecommunication networks by means of software
monitoring tools
• Design and emulate simple network architectures by means of software tools
• Recognize and describe common telecommunication standards and standardization entities
• Participate effectively (and, if needed, remotely) in a team project and assess the strengths and
weaknesses of the individual team members (including himself or herself) and the team as a unit
• Find relevant sources of information about a specified topic in the library and on the web
• Write an effective project report to present technical knowledge to a variety of audiences
• Generate an oral presentation on a topic related to class material using electronic tools

Contents
Module 1: Introduction to the Internet of Things
Module 2: Data Acquisition
Module 3: Local Data Processing
Module 4: Data Communication
Module 5: Data Streaming
Module 6: Data Storage & Cloud
Module 7: Data Analytics

Prerequisites (Working Knowledge of)

• EECE 2540. Fundamentals of Networks
• EECE 7374. Fundamentals of Computer Networks

Depth/Breadth Designation
This is a depth course for the CNWS (Computer Networks and Security) concentration and breadth for
other concentrations.

Organization
• Homework Assignments: 1 assignment to be solved individually
• Laboratory assignments: 3 assignments to be solved individually or in couples
• Midterm Exam: After Module T4
• Research Project: to be completed in teams of up to 4 students
o Presentations will be held in the last weeks of classes
• Final exam: there is NO final exam

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Grading Policy
Grade Distribution:
• Homework Assignment: 15%
• Lab Assignments: 30%
• Midterm Exam: 25%
• Research Project: 30%

Total Points Final Grade

95-100 A
90-94 A-
85-89 B+
80-84 B
75-79 B-
70-74 C+
65-69 C
60-64 C-
55-59 D+
50-54 D
<50 F

Course Materials
All the course materials will be available in Canvas:
• Lecture notes
• Additional reading materials
• Homework and laboratory assignments
• Exam

Expectations of Students
• Students are expected to act in a professional manner. A student's grade may be reduced due to
unprofessional or disruptive behavior. Please
o Use professional style in all communications, including email, with course instructors
and assistants
o Respect: You are expected to treat your instructor and all other participants in the course
with courtesy and respect. Your comments to others should be factual, constructive, and
free from harassing statements. You are encouraged to disagree with other students and
the instructor, but such disagreements need to be respectful and be based upon facts
and documentation (rather than prejudices and personalities). Falling to adhere to this
expectation may result in a lower grade. Part of the learning process in this course is the
respectful engagement of ideas with others.
• To avoid late penalty deductions, assignments should be submitted on or prior to the due date.
There will be an automatic 10-point per day deduction in homework assignments submitted past
the deadline.
• Students are allowed to share ideas regarding homework problems, but each student/team must
independently write and submit their own solution.
• Makeup exams will be given provided that the two following conditions are simultaneously
satisfied:
o You contact the instructor prior to the exam
o You have a valid and documented reason to miss the exam

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 • AI Expectations: Utilizing ChatGPT or other AI tools is becoming more common. While I would
prefer you not use these tools and instead commit to the productive struggle that is learning, I
recognize that these tools are not going away. Rather than ban them, we will treat them similarly
to other resources you use. This means you MUST follow the four points above.
o Give notice that you used the AI tool, which one you used and how you used it.
o Rigorously check and alter the answer to suit the assignment and your understanding.
o You must understand any answer you submit and be prepared to explain it to the
instructor or TA.
o For laboratory assignments, all comments in your code should be your own words.
• Attendance: In-person attendance is an important element for success in class. It is required
unless you are unable to make it due to illness or other urgent or emergent reasons.

Academic Integrity
A commitment to the principles of academic integrity is essential to the mission of Northeastern University.
The promotion of independent and original scholarship ensures that students derive the most from their
educational experience and their pursuit of knowledge. Academic dishonesty violates the most fundamental
values of an intellectual community and undermines the achievements of the entire University.

As members of the academic community, students must become familiar with their rights and
responsibilities. In each course, they are responsible for knowing the requirements and restrictions
regarding research and writing, examinations of whatever kind, collaborative work, the use of study aids,
the appropriateness of assistance, and other issues. Students are responsible for learning the conventions
of documentation and acknowledgment of sources in their fields. Northeastern University expects students
to complete all examinations, tests, papers, creative projects, and assignments of any kind according to the
highest ethical standards, as set forth either explicitly or implicitly in this Code or by the direction of
instructors.

Go to http://www.northeastern.edu/osccr/academic-integrity-policy/ to access the full academic integrity

policy.

Student Accommodations
Northeastern University and the Disability Resource Center (DRC) are committed to providing disability
services that enable students who qualify under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans
with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) to participate fully in the activities of the university. To
receive accommodations through the DRC, students must provide appropriate documentation that
demonstrates a current substantially limiting disability.

For more information, visit http://www.northeastern.edu/drc/getting-started-with-the-drc/.

Diversity and Inclusion

Northeastern University is committed to equal opportunity, affirmative action, diversity, and social justice
while building a climate of inclusion on and beyond campus. In the classroom, members of the University
community work to cultivate an inclusive environment that denounces discrimination through innovation,
collaboration, and an awareness of global perspectives on social justice. It is my intention that students
from all backgrounds and perspectives will be well served by this course, and that the diversity that students
bring to this class will be viewed as an asset. I welcome individuals of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs,
ethnicities, genders, gender identities, gender expressions, national origins, religious affiliations, sexual
orientations, socioeconomic background, family education level, ability – and other visible and nonvisible
differences. All members of this class are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive
environment for every other member of the class. Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated.

Please visit http://www.northeastern.edu/oidi/ for complete information on Diversity and Inclusion.

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Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from sex or gender-based discrimination,
including discrimination based on gender-identity, in educational programs and activities that receive
federal financial assistance.

Northeastern’s Title IX Policy prohibits Prohibited Offenses, which are defined as sexual harassment,
sexual assault, relationship or domestic violence, and stalking. The Title IX Policy applies to the entire
community, including male, female, transgender students, faculty, and staff.

In case of an emergency, please call 911.

Please visit www.northeastern.edu/titleix for a complete list of reporting options and resources both on- and
off-campus.

The present syllabus is intended as an outline of the class. The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus and
course materials from time to time to better accommodate pedagogical requirements and student needs. Up-to-date information can
be found in the Canvas class page.