RF Circuit Design - Active Circuits (RF6-1-4)

SynopsisThis course provides you with the fundamental concepts and design techniques of typical active RF circuits building blocks such as amplifier and oscillator.

You will also be introduced to computer simulation tools used extensively in design work today.

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

• "Practical examples, lots of simulation examples" - 12 Oct 05
• "Instructor's expertise on circuit design, the way he is giving lecture and very well organised" - 12 Oct 05
• "Clear explanation and good presentation. Keep it up!!" - 12 Oct 05
• "Practical demonstration of theory that was discussed" - 28 Dec 05
• "Design techniques (oscillator & amplifier)" - 28 Dec 05
• "The instructor demonstrates with practical design using CAD simulation tools. It helps further illustrates the tools & design concept explain in theory" - 28 Dec 05
• "The instructor is very knowledgeable & good guidance to us to relate the theory & practical. The content useful in working environment" - 13 May 08
• "Details explanation in theory part and lab practically approach. Also good explanation in practical design" - 13 May 08

What You Will Learn

• RF passive and active components
• Small signal amplifier design
• Oscillator design - fixed frequency and VCO

Who Should AttendEngineers from R&D, technical marketing, application engineering or R&D Project Managers who need to understand design concepts and techniques in RF Microwave.

Also applicable to engineers from other fields for example test development, product marketing or product engineering, who work closely with R&D department and hence require appreciation of design concepts.

PrerequisiteGood understanding of RF/Microwave fundamentals, for example transmission line theory, Smith Chart concept, s-parameters, basic RF passive circuits (filters and n-port networks).

Working knowledge of RF passive circuit design such as impedance matching and filter would be helpful.

Course MethodologyFor each of the topic covered, the students are first taught the basic concepts. The design technique and its practical implementation is then covered. Software tools are used to illustrate the concepts and techniques.

Course Duration3 days, 9am - 5pm

Course StructureRF Components

• Passive components at RF; effects of packaging
• Printed lumped components
• DC biasing for transistors
• RF transistors; small signal model and s-parameters

Small Signal Amplifier Theory

• Basic amplifier concepts
• Gain concepts and expressions
• Stability analysis - circles, regions, factor
• Stabilization methods

Small Signal Amplifier Design

• Key amplifier parameters
• Simultaneous conjugate match
• Constant power gain circles
• Design for fixed gain
• Noise in amplifiers
• Noise figure - concept, optimum source impedance, constant noise figure circle
• Design for input mismatch
• Practical amplifier design example

Oscillator Design

• Oscillator theory
• Fixed oscillator design
• Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) design
• Phase noise
• VCO design example
• Controlling harmonic distortion