Radio frequency optimization of a Global System for Mobile (GSM) network

Includes bibliographical references

An investigation into jamming GSM systems through exploiting weaknesses in the control channel forward error correction scheme

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Engineering (Electrical), 2017The ability to communicate effectively is of key importance in military scenarios. The ability to interfere with these communications is a useful tool in gaining competitive advantages by disrupting enemy communications and protecting allied troops against threats such as remotely detonated explosives. By reducing the number of corrupt bits required by using customised error patterns, the transmission time required by a jammer can be reduced without sacrificing effectiveness. To this end a MATLAB simulation of the GSM control channel forward error correction scheme is tested against four jamming methodologies and three bit corruption techniques. These methodologies are aimed at minimising the number of transmitted jamming bits required from a jammer to prevent communications on the channel. By using custom error patterns it is possible to target individual components of the forward error correction scheme and bypass others. A ran dom error approach is implemented to test the system against random errors on the channel, a burst error approach is implemented to test the convolutional code against burst errors, and two proposed custom error patterns are implemented aimed at exploiting the Fire code’s error detection method. The burst error pattern approach required the least number of transmitted jamming bits. The system also shows improvements over current control channel jamming techniques in literature.XL201

Wireless communication, identification and sensing technologies enabling integrated logistics: a study in the harbor environment

In the last decade, integrated logistics has become an important challenge in the development of wireless communication, identification and sensing technology, due to the growing complexity of logistics processes and the increasing demand for adapting systems to new requirements. The advancement of wireless technology provides a wide range of options for the maritime container terminals. Electronic devices employed in container terminals reduce the manual effort, facilitating timely information flow and enhancing control and quality of service and decision made. In this paper, we examine the technology that can be used to support integration in harbor's logistics. In the literature, most systems have been developed to address specific needs of particular harbors, but a systematic study is missing. The purpose is to provide an overview to the reader about which technology of integrated logistics can be implemented and what remains to be addressed in the future