General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), 2 credits Description This course introduces packet switched cellular system General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). The goal of this course is to provide understanding about the structure and operation of the GPRS network. Methods The course language is English and it consists of Computer Aided Education (CAE) program and source material on the web. The students will study CAE course independently. It contains intermediate exams, which students must pass. The teacher will provide assistance via email. The course terminates with the final exam. Timetable The course takes one seven week study period. Topic for each week are: 1) Introduction to cellular systems and GSM, 2) Introduction to GPRS and network architecture, 3) GPRS Air Interface, 4) Operation of GPRS, 5) GPRS Network protocols, 6) Charging and network planning, 7) EGPRS and evolution to 3G. Instructions Students need broadband Internet connection (at least 128 kbps) and a new version of a web browser. The CAE course provides help and instructions needed to carry out the course. w w w . v i r t u a a l i a m k . f i Study Material All course material is available from the web and it consists of the CAE course on web and additional material available from the course web site as well. If additional information is needed, a list of reference material is attached to the end of each course section. Study Tasks Each week one intermediate exam is done by each student and results will be delivered to the teacher. Final exam will be available on the course web site for two hours time and students must carry that out in in that time frame.