5G TRAINING: Ashland University in partnership with Wireless Infrastructure Association created content
Each completed credential will lead to a certificate issued from WIA. Courses should be taken sequentially, with the exception of Credentials 3 & 4 which can be taken out of sequence. When all four credentials are earned, the participant will earn a Certification in 5G from WIA.
All courses and instructor-led sessions (note dates) will be held virtually and completed online. Participants will be expected to have the online modules completed by the week listed in order to be prepared for the live instructor-led virtual session, as noted. Students will be provided links for the content for all online learning, and the zoom link for the virtual sessions. All coursework must be completed by the end date of the course to receive the Certificate for that module.
Any questions should be directed to Stephanie Meeks, Director, AU Workforce Development (smeeks2@ashland.edu).
Upcoming Sequence: Fall 22/Spring 23
Credential 1 offered TWICE: Oct. 12-Nov. 4 and Nov. 8-Dec. 9
Credential 2 offered Once: Dec. 6-Jan. 20, 2023
Credentials 3 and 4: Dates to be determined based on interest.
We will be offering all details on a rotating basis.
Note: Minimum 10 and maximum 30 participants per credential course
Credential 1: Introduction to Wireless Broadband Infrastructure - Five Modules
COST: $1,699 for all five modules
Wireless 101 is designed to familiarize participants with the practical aspects of wireless communication systems and their business and industry applications. This course introduces the basics of radio frequencies and the underlying principles that apply to today’s cellular systems. This course discusses current industry practices around cell sites, hardware components at a typical cell site, and the RF measurements necessary for cellular networks.
Macro Site Fundamentals introduces foundational theories related to macro tower planning, construction, and troubleshooting. The course introduces several types of cell site infrastructure and identifies the role of key stakeholders of the wireless industry. This course teaches various parts of a cell site, how to read and interpret RF plumbing diagrams, role of typical hardware components found at the top and bottom of the tower, and co-siting techniques for multiband and multi-technology cell towers. Key topics also include the understanding of uplink and downlink, new-generation of cell towers including Centralized RAN (C-RAN), and the tower construction process.
Get up to Speed with 5G in this interactive module that illustrates what 5G really is and what will this new technology enable. Students will review the changes in generational technology, cover the driving forces of 5G, and identify practical implications of the new features and timelines for deployment and standardization. Learners will gain a greater understanding of the direct and indirect impacts 5G will have on their personal and professional life.
Cellular Communication Theories (Live, Instructor-led Virtual Session, Zoom link provided once enrolled) looks at the history and evolution of wireless and cellular communications, with an emphasis on the basic principles underlying these technologies from their inception through today. These concepts are important for understanding what drove the implementation of current systems as well as the evolution path for new and future technologies. Additionally, this course will answer many questions people have about cellular technology - Why do cell sites look the way they do? How do they know a cell site will perform as required before they build it? We will also cover additional topics such as Interference, Noise and SINR, RF Wave Characteristics and Principles, and Quality vs Capacity of Radio Signals. The course prepares you for the next level of courses in telecommunications such as Macro Fundamentals and 5G Overview.
RF Safety and Awareness highlights how personal safety is extremely important when working in an RF environment. OSHA requires business owners to maintain a comprehensive RF program which includes training for all workers who work on or near wireless and broadcast communication sites. Failure to comply can result in personal injury, fines, and lawsuits. Workers who perform tasks on rooftops, towers, and other structures where cellular antennas and other RF generating devices are present may be at risk of exposure to hazardous levels of RF radiation. Understanding these risks and how to properly mitigate them is crucial to the safety of all wireless personnel. The RF Awareness & Safety training course is specifically designed to assist wireless personnel in developing a comprehensive RF Safety Plan that protects themselves as well as the public who may be unaware of the risks associated with RF exposure.
Credential 2: 5G Ecosystem - Four Modules
COST: $1,699 for all FOUR modules
Your Future with 5G (Dec. 6-12) covers why we need 5G, the current limitations of 4G technology, how and who is creating 5G and identifies avenues for professional and personal involvement. Students will review user applications, new kinds of business created, and current use cases. This training offers an understanding of what's next for jobs and training and how our workforce will be impacted by the 4-5 million new jobs created by the new technology, and how these advancements could influence the learner personally.
Spectrum Fundamentals (Dec. 15 @ 6-9 p.m., Zoom link provided) explains how frequency bands and spectrum are at the center of the mobile broadband ecosystem. “Spectrum scarcity” is a known issue and yet it is often misunderstood. This course will provide an overview of key aspects of spectrum bands, auctions and allocation, coverage vs capacity, propagation, and future- readiness. Distinct types of spectrum bands (low-band, mid-band, and mmWave) and recent spectrum auctions (CBRS, C-band, mmWave for 5G) are summarized. The course also helps understand how the selection of frequency bands affects the design of multiband cell sites (Macro and Indoors). Other topics include overview of unlicensed bands for Wi-Fi and future bands for 6G.
5G Ecosystem Overview (Dec. 13-20) lays out the 5G rollout will be instrumental across industries, from retail, healthcare, entertainment, automotive,manufacturing to tech and real estate. These advancements will enable connected cars and autonomous driving; smart cities with connected planning, transportation, and infrastructure; enhancement in connected healthcare, industrial internet of things and smart factories. This course was designed to provide an overview of 5G technology, what to expect, and the impact on businesses and consumers. To reap the benefits of 5G when it is deployed, it is important to understand how to plan for this new wave of automation. This course addresses common myths, review current data analytics, and helps you prepare for technology today to achieve the performance improvements the technology will offer.
Cell Site Design and Planning (Jan. 5 @ 6-9 p.m.) bridges the fundamentals of macro tower and RF designing concepts. This course will show you the journey of macro cell site evolution. You will learn how to read engineering data sheets and follow RF Plumbing Diagrams. Hardware components found at a typical macro tower will be reviewed and their functionality will be studied. You will learn how to read an engineering datasheet for various hardware and how they are connected by analyzing the RF Plumbing diagrams. Co-siting techniques will be explained through multiple examples and theories associated with Diplexers,Tower Mounted Amplifiers, and Antenna Tilting mechanism. We will also understand the role of Remote Radio Head (RRH) and how top of the cell tower is evolving to accommodate new advancements in technology.
Credential 3: In-building Wireless Solutions - Four Modules
DATE: TBD, Spring 2023
COST: $1,799 for all FOUR modules
DAS and Small Cell Basics (TBD, Spring 2023), or Distributed antenna systems (DAS) and small cells are addressing the number one challenge faced by the cellular industry – how to provide more capacity and solve coverage problems where service from macro tower is not enough due to limited radio resources. This course provides a system level understanding of several types of DAS and Small Cell architecture. It introduces hardware components used in a typical indoor and outdoor DAS systems, their advantages, and limitations. Examples of RF plumbing diagrams are used to explain signal flow for indoor and outdoor applications. The course also introduces Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS) framework and provides an overview of CBRS uses cases, including private LTE and 5G networks. Designed for all audiences, this course is essential to understand how 5G and future generations will have to rely on DAS and small cells for coverage and capacity solutions.
Wi-Fi is a radio technology that enables high speed internet access without being tied by cord or cable to
internet connection. The world’s biggest carriers already recognize Wi-Fi as a business-critical, strategic
technology. Wireless communication networks rely on Wi-Fi for offloading to relieve the congested
mobile data networks with additional capacity from unlicensed Wi-Fi spectrum. From basic RF theory
and regulatory requirements to implementation of WLAN devices, this course will get you up-to-speed on the latest in 802.11 technologies in a practical way. Learn basic 802.11 wireless networking
terminology and functionality, as well as engineering concepts and business practices.
In-Building Wireless Ecosystem overview provides information of
wireless initiatives are necessary, how In-Building solutions are expected to deliver communications
capabilities to the indoor subscribers and provide an understanding of both the history and future of the In-Building wireless solution space.
Designed for those who work in Cellular, Wi-Fi, DAS and Small Cells; this course provides a basic understanding of the technological, business, indoor environmental, and management ecosystem issues and challenges that are part of every initiative. This is a prerequisite course for the General, Project Management and Technical In-building certification tracks.
In-Building RF DAS Components and Subsystem builds understanding RF devices and equipment is critical to the successful development of In-building DAS and Small Cell hybrid solutions. This course identifies the properties of key hardware commonly
specified for use in an In-building solution and explores differences in how they are characterized. This
course will deepen the students’ understanding of In-building issues and offer various approaches to
address them.
Credential 4: Wireless Broadband Infrastructures - Four Modules
DATE: TBD, Spring 2023
COST: $1,699 for all FOUR modules
Edge Computing, CBRS, and Private Networks with 5G (TBD, Spring 2023) evaluates the many benefits of edge computing and how it is driving new connectivity solutions. Ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) is a feature of 5G networks that requires computing and processing of data to be completed near the end user. Cellular networks’ presence near the users through cell towers, on macro sites to DAS hubs, makes a compelling case for connecting edge infrastructure with cellular infrastructure. This course introduces key benefits of integrating edge computing with 5G networks, along with current developments in the traditional tower business to accommodate edge deployments. The curriculum covers the impacts of edge computing, private LTE and 5G networks on the existing cellular infrastructure, and the need for fiber backhaul.
Fiber for Wireless Infrastructure demonstrates how 5G wireless networks and fiber optic networks complement each other, together offering a more cohesive broadband experience for both fixed and mobile applications. The quality and reliability of the 5G wireless network depends on the fiber network carrying traffic to and from the 5G small cells. This course covers the role of fiber at existing macro towers (backhaul and fronthaul to remote radio head) and basics of capacity planning. It defines fiber optic, 5G wireless networks, and the role of fiber in small cell densification to explain how they complement each other. The curriculum reviews Fiber-to-the-Antenna (FTTA) concept and the role of fiber in the future cell site with massive MIMO and active antenna.
Line Sweeping and PIM Testing provides a technical understanding of various line sweeping measurements. Coverage and capacity are extremely important for mobile communication, and they are essential with quality installation of hardware components at cell sites. Macro towers and in-building DAS solutions require proper installation of antennas, cables, connectors, and other in-line components. The return loss and passive intermodulation (PIM) measurements are crucial techniques that verify quality installation of cellular networks. Learning for testing includes return loss, vswr, distance-to fault (DTF), insertion loss, and PIM. The curriculum will provide step-by-step procedures for efficient cell site troubleshooting and an introduction to measurement units and required hardware for cell site technicians and tower climbers.
Fundamentals of RF Engineering introduces Radio Frequency (RF) technical concepts that are required to plan, design, and optimize the cellular wireless networks. Topics such as fading, hand-off, and propagation characteristics are explained in detail. Different types of propagation modes that are essential for RF engineering are covered at length. The course supplements the theory portion with practical examples from the industry and explains how 1G to 5G technologies have evolved from RF engineering point of view.