Module Radio Frequency Design

Page 1 of 4
RDFD H6001: Radio
Frequency Design Extra
Header Data
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
TA_EEESD_M Masters of Engineering in Electronic Engineering in Electronic System Design 2 Elective
Short Title: Radio Frequency Design APPROVED
Full Title: Radio Frequency Design
Module Code: RDFD H6001

NFQ Level: 9

ECTS Credits: 7.5
Reviewed By: JAMES WRIGHT
Description: This elective gives a student the skill-sets that are required to design an RF circuit block or wireless system
at the physical (PHY) layer.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to
Design an RF amplifier using appropriate calculations and verify results using RF Simulator software. 1.
Extract and Investigate s parameter data of a selected two-port network using a microwave vector network analyser (VNA). 2.
Analyse and solve ill defined RF design problems concerning Noise Factor, stability and gain using an industry standard 3.
microwave simulator.
Perform mathematical modelling to verify system parameters such as Stability, Gain and Return Loss. 4.
Design the PHY layer interface that can be used by a Layer 2 design team. 5.
Research IEEE literature and write technical reports concerning RF regulatory issues including safety. 6.
Module Radio Frequency Design
Page 2 of 4
RDFD H6001: Radio
Frequency Design Extra
Header Data
Module Content & Assessment
Content (The percentage workload breakdown is inidcative and subject to change)
Basic theory
Complex variable representation in RF modelling, Use of Decibel reference standards, Complex loads - Impedance and Admittance.
Spectrum of a complex modulation standards, Spectral power density considerations. Specification of filter performance.
RF Transmission Lines
Derivation of the impedance of a transmission line.. Analysis of selected transmission line components: quarter wave transformer, balun,
combiner/splitter, stub tuner. Derivation of relationship between impedance and reflection coefficient. Use of Smith chart:
Impedance/Admittance Chart. Striplines, Micro-strip, Co-planar waveguide, Printed Microwave Components, Surface Acoustic Wave
device
RF Matching Methods
Three-Element Matching using using controlled bandwidth.. Advanced usage of Smith Chart.
Small Signal RF Amplifier Design
RF Transistor Data Sheets. Biasing examples using a ePHEMT, Designs using S Parameters, Stability, Noise Figure. Design techniques
using the Smith Chart.
RF Power Amplifiers
RF Power Transistor Characteristics, Biasing, Design, Linearity, IP3, Matching circuits. Load pull analysis. PAE curves. Safety issues.
RF Filters
Design methods using normalised prototype element values., Transmission Line Transformations and microwave filters
Vector Network Analysers
Basic architecture of a 2 port analyser. Calibration techniques. De-embedding, launcher design.
Assessment Breakdown %
Course Work 50%
End of Semester Formal Examination 50%
Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal End-of-Semester Examination 1,2,3,4,5,6 50% Semester End
Module Radio Frequency Design
Page 3 of 4
Coursework Breakdown
Type Description Outcome
addressed
% of
total
Assessment
Date
Laboratory Safety in RF Labs. Quarter wavelength transmission line experiment.
Class works in small groups
2 5 Week 2
Laboratory S parameter data extraction for a surface mount capacitor using a
specialised vector network analyser. (Group Activity). Runs
concurrently with CA3 and CA4.
2,3 5 Week 3
Laboratory RF Circuit Simulation Workshop 1,2,3,4 5 Week 4
Laboratory Amplifier Design: Specification, High Level Design, Detailed Design
using ADS and selected surface mount transistor. Test results.
Deliverable : Design documentation for all phases of the design.
1,3,4,5 15 Week 8
Laboratory EMC Testing using a spectrum analyser Deliverable : Technical Report 5,6 10 Week 9
Open-book
Examination
Open Book (time limited) challenge based on a selection of ill-defined
problems.
1,3,4,5,6 10 Week 9
IT Tallaght reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Radio Frequency Design
Page 4 of 4
RDFD H6001: Radio
Frequency Design Extra
Header Data
Module Workload & Resources
Workload Full-time
Type Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly
Learner Workload
Lecture Interactive Lecture 2 Every Week 2.00
Lab Lab/Discussion 1 Every Week 1.00
Independent Learning Working on Assignments 10 Every Week 10.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 13.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload Part-time mode
Type Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly
Learner Workload
Lecture Interactive Lecture 2 Every Week 2.00
Lab Lab/Discussion 1 Every Week 1.00
Independent Learning Working on Assignments 10 Every Week 10.00
Part-Time Total Weekly Learner Workload 13.00
Part-Time Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Resources
Required Book Resources
Ludwig 2008, RF Circuit Design, 2 Ed., Prentice Hall [ISBN: 13-978-0131471375]
Recommended Book Resources
Golio 2008, RF and Microwave passive and Active Technologies, CRC Press [ISBN: 139780849372209]
Charles Nelson 2008, High-frequency and microwave circuit design, CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group Boca Raton [ISBN: 0-
8493-7562-2]