RF Circuit and System Design

CEESI Module Details

Institution:	University of Surrey
Module Code	scMrfs
Module Credits (level M):	15
Learning hours	150
Module Convenor:	T G Jeans
Tutors:	T G Jeans, C. Free, I. D. Robertson, M. Underhill
Industrial Advisors:	UniS MSc Industrial Advisory Board (>20 members from mobile, RF and satellite comms industries)
Delivery Mode:	5 day residential course, shared with “RF Engineering”, plus on-line Distance Learning using the UniS supported VLE (currently tenders for provision are under consideration; either Blackboard or WebCT are likely to be chosen).

Module Aims

The aim of the module is to provide detailed information on RF Electronic systems and circuits, building upon the basis of the RF Engineering module. To prepare engineers for industry with an advanced level of understanding in modern RF design techniques

Learning Objectives

To provide an understanding of the design and performance of individual circuit blocks used in various RF systems, including an introduction to the use of DSP techniques.

Background to the Module

Surrey offers a popular 5-day residential short course every July entitled “RF Circuit and System Design”. Students attending this course can elect to take TWO 15 credit level M modules, with the additional learning hours at present made up through paper-based learning. This proposal is to replace that paper-based element with on-line materials.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have an understanding of the basics of RF engineering. This would normally be provided by the “RF Engineering” module at Surrey, but can be provided by an equivalent course or industrial experience.

Assessment

Assignment 1	20%
Examination	80%

A typical assignment would be a computer-based exercises using “shareware” CAD readily available on the web (with links from UniS VLE).

Syllabus

Directed Learning	50 hours
Independent Learning	50 hours
Assignments	50 hours
Residential Course	5 days Shared with “RF Engineering”

Topic	Content
Applications and systems
Modern transceiver architectures	superheterodyne and direct conversion techniques. Modulators and demodulators.
Software radio	concepts and subsystems. Structure of DSP receivers. Sigma-delta bandpass sampling. Digital synchronisation techniques: Frequency error detection algorithms. Phase error detector algorithms.
RFIC and MMIC technology	Introduction, active and passive components. Comparison of technologies; RF CMOS, BiCMOS, SiGe, GaAs and InP FET and HBT. Example circuits; standard building blocks.
Frequency synthesis	Phase noise processes and time jitter. Oscillators, VCOs and VXCOs. Phased lock loops, phase comarators and demodulators.. Direct digital synthesis, and digital demodulators.
Solid state power amplifiers	SSPA implementation technologies. HMICS and MMICS. Impedance mismatch, PAE, power dissipation. Class A, overdriving and bipolar analysis. Class B with resistive load, with tuned load, push pull amplifiers and complementary pairs. Class D and E. Special device technologies; GaN, LDMOS, SiC. DC biasing, quiescent points and networks. Matching circuits; power combining techniques. Load pull; measurement and simulation. Reliability. Thermal management
Linearisation techniques	RF, IF and digital predistortion, feedforward, feedback
Passive components	filters, couplers, baluns, antennas
Measurement techniques	Modern vector network analysers, RF-on-wafer measurements, Noise measurement, load pull. Measurements for modulated signals; eye diagram, constellation, EVM, etc.

Recommended Texts

Smith, J, Modern Communication Circuits (Ch 11: Power Amplifiers), McGraw Hill 1986. 0-071155864 (£24.99)
Bowick, C, RF Circuit Design (Ch 7: RF Power Amplifiers), Butterworth Heinemann. 0-750-69946-9 (£18.99)
Liao, SY, Microwave Devices & Circuits, Prentice Hall (3rd edn)1990. (£27.00)
Walker, JLB (ed), High Power GaAs FET Amplifiers, Artech House 1993. 0-750-69946-9 (£70.00)
Carson, RS, High Frequency Amplifiers, Wiley (2nd edn). 0-471-86832-9 (£105.00)
Robertson, ID, and Lucyszyn S. RFIC & MMIC Design and Technology, IEE London 2001.
Hagen, JJ, Radio Frequency Electronics – Circuits and Applications, C.U.P. 1996. 0-521-55356-3
Smith, J, Modern Communication Circuits, McGraw Hill 1986. 0-071155864 (£24.99)
Gosling, W (ed.), Radio Receivers, Peter Peregrinus (IEE) 1986. 0-086341-056-1 (Out of print)
Robins, WP, Phase Noise in Signal Sources, Peter Peregrinus (IEE) 1982. 0-86431026-X (£36.00)
Kraus, Bostain and Raab, Solid State Radio Engineering, Wiley. 0-471-03018-X (£85.00)
Meyr et al., Digital Communication Receivers, Synchronisation, Channel Estimation and Signal Processing, Wiley 1997. 0-471-50275-8

Delivery mode

5 day residential course, shared with “RF Engineering”, plus on-line Distance Learning using the UniS supported VLE.