Development Of A Wireless Communications Course For Electronics Engineering Technology (Eet) Curriculum

Wireless communications is one of the most rapidly developing segments of the telecommunications industry. All segments of the wireless industry cellular, personal communication services (PCS), paging, and specialized mobile radio (SMR) are expected to grow at double-digit rates. In 1993, wireless services accounted for only $40 billion or 9% of the $640 billion telecommunications market, but by the year 2000, wireless is expected to control $200 billion or 18%, of an expected $1.1 trillion telecommunications market [1]. This phenomenal growth in wireless communications has put new demands on engineering technology curricula. Industry seeks graduates with appropriate background and training in wireless technologies. Electronics engineering technology (EET) graduates are not only expected to understand the theory of state-of-the-art wireless technologies, but also to exhibit hands-on analytical and problem solving skills. To address these changing industrial needs, it is imperative that new courses in wireless technologies be developed and incorporated into the Electronics Engineering Technology program. To help achieve this goal, a survey was conducted in the wireless industry to determine the required level of training for EET graduates. This paper describes a proposed wireless technology lecture/laboratory course implementing the future trends identified through feedback from the wireless industry. P ge 249.1