Essential RF Microwave Concepts - A Practical Approach (RF126-4-0)

Synopsis

(This course is adapted from the previous course entitled "RF Microwave Concept and Testing" to place more emphasis on the practical approach to learning essential RF/MW concepts. You may find 75% content resemblance between the two courses.)

The rising cost and scarcity of frequency spectrum, the increasing demand for higher data speed and mobility have driven the explosive growth in RF Microwave (RF/MW) industry. Therefore there is increasing many whose work in one way or another is related to this seemingly complex and confusing technical area.

A firm grasp of fundamental concepts in RF Microwave (RF/MW) is important for a fulfilling career in this area, even for those who is not working directly in this industry. For example a basic grasp of the subject area will enable a project manager to appreciate the technical challenge faced in the project or help a mechanical engineer understand why the circuit designer insists on specific technical decision.

With this objective in mind, this course is designed to equip participants with both foundation knowledge and broad appreciation of each underlying application, and therefore increased interest and confidence for their future undertaking. The subject is delivered with minimal complex equations, stressing on practical applications instead.

Course Highlight
This course starts with essential fundamentals of RF/MW. The participants are then taught the measurement theories of commonly-used RF/MW test equipment. Once equipped with the essential concepts and measurement knowledge, the participants are then introduced to the operating principles of typical building blocks of a RF Transceiver (transmitter/receiver).

To conclude the course, an end-to-end walkthrough of each stage of the RF Transceiver is demonstrated with various RF/MW equipments. This serves to show the practical applications of the various subject areas learned in this course.

What previous participants say about this course
Answers to the question 'what did you like most about the course' 

• "The lab, the exercises, instructor's knowledge on how he apply the RF applications" - 1 Mar 05
• "The knowledge of fundamental RF test and parameters like S-parameter, Smith Chart and the equipments like network analyzer that is useful in my job" - 30 Mar 05
• "The lab classes were more interesting and correlation b/w theory and lab was appreciatable" - 10 May 05
• "Friendly instructor and in-depth explanations on theory & practical test measurement system" - 16 Aug 05
• "The practical knowledge with the help of theory. This course helps to improve my knowledge on many ways" - 21 Oct 05
• "Very practical approach especially the final portion that talks about measurement of RF products/component" - 23 Jan 06
• "Practical examples of theory" - 5 Feb 07
• "Its related to my interest & the way of conveying the info. Suits my level of understanding. Besides, it provides hands-on experience" - 16 Jan 08

Figures below showing RF Transceiver and RF instruments used in the training

What You Will Learn

• essential fundamental concepts for those working with RF/MW components, circuits and systems
• commonly-used RF/MW test equipment measurement theories such as Network Analysis and Spectrum Analysis
• operating principles and appreciation for typical building blocks of RF/MW system such as antenna, amplifier, mixer, oscillator/synthesizer, filter
• application of RF/MW concepts, measurements and RF/MW building blocks in a typical RF Transceiver, in end-to-end manner

Who Should AttendThe primary target audience for this course is technicians and engineers involved in product marketing, test and development, characterization, design and development, field installation and maintenance and QA of RF/MW components, circuits and systems.

This course is also applicable to a broad audience from various industries who need to have strong basic understanding of the various concepts, terms and technologies of the RF/MW industries, for example :

• Project Managers
• Software Engineers
• Program Managers
• Mechanical Engineers
• QA Engineers
• Technical Marketing and Sales Engineers

PrerequisiteInterest in RF/MW knowledge and desire to acquire better conceptual understanding in this area. Technical background in electrical/electronic engineering or physics at Diploma or Degree level would be desirable.

Course MethodologyThe students are first taught the theories in classroom setting with the aid of video and software tools. The concepts are then re-enforced through exercises and examples of how the theories are applied in real-life. Demonstration using various RF/MW instruments and building blocks of an RF Transceiver will be carried out to illustrate various principles and techniques.

The following software tools are used in this training :

• AppCAD
• Agilent VEE
• Murata S-Parm Library
• Smith Chart Software

The RF Transceiver's building blocks used are :

• Antenna
• Low Noise Amplifier
• Power Amplifier
• Filter
• Mixer
• Synthesizer

The RF/MW instruments used are :

• Signal Generator
• Spectrum Analyzer
• Vector Network Analyzer

Course Duration3 days, 9am - 5pm

Course StructureSignal and Spectrum

• Sine Wave
• Wavelength, Speed, Frequency
• Fourier, Harmonics
• Time Domain and Frequency Domain
• Frequency Spectrum
• EMC Concept
• Frequency Response, Bandwidth
• Simplex, Duplex
• TDD, FDD
• dB, dBx

Circuit Fundamentals

• Electrical Elements
• Ideal vs Real-world Components
• Skin Effect
• SRF
• Parasitics Implications
• Model and Model Parameters

Transmission Line

• Lumped Element vs Transmission Line
• Telegraphic Equation
• Characteristic Impedance
• Standing Wave
• SWR, Rho, Gamma, Return Loss
• Impedance Transformation Concept
• Quarter Wavelength Transformer
• TDR
• Practical Transmission Line

S-parameter

• Network Model
• Definition of s-parameter
• Measurement of 2-port, n-port
• Applications of s-parameter

Smith Chart and Impedance Matching

• Concept
• Impedance Chart
• Impedance Transformation
• Max Power Transfer
• Matching using Smith Chart and Computer Tool

Linearity

• Linear, Non-linear Devices
• Harmonic and Intermodulation
• Criteria for Distortionless Transmission
• Group Delay, Harmonics, Gain Compression (P1dB), Intermodulation (OIP3)
• Linearity for High-Speed Digital

RF Test Equipment

• Spectrum Analyzer - Time vs Frequency Domain, Superhet vs Fourier Analyzer, Resolution, RBW, Sweep Time, Video Filter, Attenuation, Power Measurement, Tuned vs Broadband
• Network Analyzer - Reflection and Transmission Tests, Network Analyzer Config, Measurement Errors, Cal Concepts, Time Domain (Gating, Fault Detection), Scalar vs Vector Network Analyzer

RF Transceiver

• Block Diagram of Transceiver
• Passive Components - Transmission Line, Antenna, Filter, Duplexer, Diplexer
• Active Components - LNA, PA, Mixer, Oscillator / Synthesizer
• Filtering - Rejection of Image, Harmonics, Intermodulations
• Isolation - Leakage, Oscillation
• End-to-end Transceiver Signal Flow
• Need of Modulation
• Analog Modulation and Digital Modulation
• IQ Diagram
• IQ Modulator/Demodulator