Overview

Radio frequency (RF) system design forms the basis of wireless communications. This course provides an overview of the principles of RF system design, including the use of antennas, propagation models, and interference mitigation. The course provides a classification of RF systems and then covers the basic functions of antennas, including the near and far fields, antenna gain, directivity, and radiation characteristics. Important RF propagation mechanisms are reviewed, such as the curvature of the RF beam and maximum RF range, surface (ground) wave, space wave, sky wave (ionospheric propagation), scatter propagation, and earth-space propagation. RF propagation impairments are described, including how multipath fading, interference, and noise will impact the threshold received power. Transmitter issues, crosslink Interference, and remote interference and management are also covered. The models governing free-space propagation, outdoor propagation models, and smoothness criteria are studied, together with link budget and receiving antenna electric field calculations. The course comprises 80 informative slides that are meticulously crafted to maximize clarity and accelerate learning.Key Learning OutcomesSpecify and design a radio frequency systemStudy the basic functions of antennas and various antenna systemsIdentify different RF propagation mechanisms and transmission modesUnderstand the RF communications impairmentsAbout the InstructorThe instructor was a technical editor for the IEEE Wireless Communications Magazine for 10 years and has also guest edited for the IEEE Communications Magazine (2 issues) and the IEEE Journal on Selected Areas on Communications. His IEEE online tutorials were sponsored 8 times by industry. His research has appeared in the IEEE Spectrum and he received 2 IEEE best paper awards. He was invited by the National Science Foundation to participate in a workshop on Residential Broadband and received the National Association of Broadcasters Technology Innovation Award. He has also served as an IEEE Communications Society Distinguished Lecturer with 10 invited lectures worldwide as well as an expert witness.

Skills

Reviews