ECE 549 RF Design for Wireless

The design of the hardware aspects of wireless systems will be discussed with principal emphasis on the design of radio frequency (RF) and microwave circuitry. System concepts will first be introduced and then functional block design of a wireless system. Topics include RF and microwave transistors, noise, power amplifiers, CAE, linearization, and antennas. 3 credit hours.

 
   
   
Prerequisite
 

Undergraduate course in electromagnetic fields and electronic circuits or consent of instructor.


Course Objectives

 

 

To introduce students to wireless radio frequency circuit and system design. The course complements courses dealing with the communication theoretic aspects of wireless communications. The course will establish a broad understanding of RF and microwave circuit and system design in this highly employable field.

 

Course Outline  

This course covers radio frequency and microwave frequency circuit and system design as it pertains to wireless communications. The course serves as an introduction to wireless communications systems but more significantly as an introduction to radio frequency and microwave design of wireless phones and wireless local area networks.

  • Introduction
  • Wireless Systems
  • Passive Circuits
  • Measurements
  • Filters
  • Noise
  • Low Noise High Efficiency Amplifier Design
  • Mixers
  • Power Amplifier Design
  • Frequency Synthesis
  • Propagation Loss and Multi-Path Effects
  • RF Health Issues
  • Advanced Concepts (Linearization)

 

Course Requirements  

HOMEWORK: Twelve (12) assignments (15%)

EXAMINATIONS: Midterm and final exams

 

Textbook  

None

 

Computer and Internet Requirements  

NCSU has recommended minimum specifications for computers used for classes. Depending on your computer needs, we recommend your computer meet or exceed the following minimum specifications below.

PCs must have an Intel-compatible 1 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB hard drive with 1 GB free space available, 256 Color Display, CD-ROM drive, 1024x768 (min.) video adapter, sound card, and speakers. The operating system should be Windows XP Pro. Real One Player Basic (available free online) and high speed Internet connection such as cable, DSL, T1 or LAN will be required for EOL courses.

MAC users must have a G4 processor with firewire and USB factory built-in, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB with 1GB free space available, 256 Color Display, CD-ROM drive, 1024x768 (min) video adapter, sound card, and speakers. The operating system must be MacOS 10.4 (minimum) along with the above RealOne and Internet specifications above.

For more detailed information on computer specifications and recommendations, please refer to our website at: http://engineeringonline.ncsu.edu/currentstudents/computeraccess.htm

 

Instructor  

Dr. Michael B. Steer, Professor
Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Monteith Engineering Res.Ctr 435, Box 7911
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7911

Phone: (919) 515-5191
Fax: (919) 515-2285
E-mail: mbs@ncsu.edu
Instructor Website: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~mbs