BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE, PILANI

WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAMMES

COURSE HANDOUT

Part A: Content Design

Course Title RF Microelectronics

Course No(s) MEL ZG510
Credit Units 5
Credit Model Theory
Content Author HARISH V DIXIT

Course Description: This course aims to develop the foundation for IC design for radio frequency
applications, specific to CMOS integrated circuits. The course will cover low noise amplifiers,
mixers, power amplifiers, frequency synthesizers and phase locked loops, besides reviewing
concept in RF circuit design and concepts in communications.

Scope and Objective of the Course: The objective of this course is to provide basic skills to
analyze and design CMOS RF integrated circuits. This course will address all the aspects of various
RF circuits in CMOS technology, which are used in communication applications including LNA,
mixer, PLL, Power amplifier, oscillator and frequency synthesizers.

Text Books: Behzad Razavi, RF Microelectronics, Pearson Education India, 2nd edition, 2012.

Reference Books: Thomas H. Lee, The Design of CMOS Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits,
Cambridge University Press, 2nd edition, 2004.

Part B: Learning Plan

Academic Term First Semester 2019-2020

Course Title RF Microelectronics
Course No MEL ZG510
Lead Instructor HARISH V DIXIT

Module No. Lecture Reference Learning Outcomes

Hour
1. Introduction of RF and 1-3 Chapter-1 (T.B) Broad understanding of RF systems.
wireless technology
2. Basic concepts in RF 4-7 Chapter-2- Strengthening of concepts from signal
communication technologies. 3(T.B) and systems and communication theory
required for RF CMOS IC design.
3.Review of MOS device 8-9 Chapter-5-6- Strengthening of concepts from
physics and distributed (R) microwave theory and semiconductor
systems device physics required for RF system
design.
4.Passive RLC networks and 10-13 Chapter-3-4- Ability to design integrated passive RF
passive IC components (R), Chapter-7 components.
 (T.B)
5.High frequency amplifier 14-16 Chapter-9 (R) Ability to design a high frequency
design amplifier.
6. Noise 17-18 Chapter-11(R) Understanding of noise sources and noise
issues in RF IC design.
7. LNA design 19-21 Chapter-5(T.B), Ability to design LNA for RF IC circuit.
Chapter-12 (R)
8. Mixer design 22 Chapter-6 Ability to design mixer for RF IC circuit.
(T.B), Chapter-
13 (R)
9.RF power amplifier design 23-25 Chapter- Ability to design power amplifier as a
12(T.B), part of the RF IC circuit.
Chapter-15 (R)
10. Oscillators 26-28 Chapter-8(T.B) Ability to design oscillators as a part of
the RF IC circuit.
11. Phase-locked loops 29-31 Chapter-9(T.B), Ability to design PLL as a part of the RF
Chapter-16 (R) IC circuit.
12.Frequency Synthesizers 32-34 Chapter-10,11 Ability to design frequency synthesizers
(T.B) as a part of the RF IC circuit.
13. Phase noise 35-36 Chapter-18 (R) Understanding of phase noise concept

14. RF transceivers 37-38 Chapter-2 (T.B) Understanding of transceiver

architecture and design
15. Introduction to RF-MEMS
technology an emerging
technology for RF passive
devices.
architectures and their design.
39-40 Lecture Acquisition of the knowledge of next
slides/Notes. generation technology to design high
performance passive components.

Evaluation Scheme:
Legend: EC = Evaluation Component; AN = After Noon Session; FN = Fore Noon Session
No Name Type Duration Weight Day, Date, Session, Time
EC-1 Quiz-I/ Online - 10% August 23 – September 01,
Assignment-I 2019
Quiz-II Online 10% September 27 – October 6,
2019
Quiz-III/ Online 10% November 01 – 10, 2019
Assignment-II
EC-2 Mid-Semester Closed 2 hours 30% Sunday, 22/09/2019 (AN)
Test Book 2 PM – 4 PM
EC-3 Comprehensive Open Book 3 hours 40% Sunday, 17/11/2019 (AN)
Exam 2 PM – 5 PM
Note - Evaluation components can be tailored depending on the proposed model.

Syllabus for Mid-Semester Test (Closed Book): Topics in Session Nos. 1 to 9

Syllabus for Comprehensive Exam (Open Book): All topics (Session Nos. 1 to 16)
Important links and information:
Elearn portal: https://elearn.bits-pilani.ac.in
Students are expected to visit the Elearn portal on a regular basis and stay up to date with the latest
announcements and deadlines.
Contact sessions: Students should attend the online lectures as per the schedule provided on the Elearn portal.

Evaluation Guidelines:
1. EC-1 consists of either Assignments or Quizzes. Students will attempt them through the course pages on
the Elearn portal. Announcements will be made on the portal, in a timely manner.
 2. For Closed Book tests: No books or reference material of any kind will be permitted.
3. For Open Book exams: Use of text book and any printed / written reference material (filed or bound) is
permitted. However, loose sheets of paper will not be allowed. Use of calculators is permitted in all
exams. Laptops/Mobiles of any kind are not allowed. Exchange of any material is not allowed.
4. If a student is unable to appear for the Regular Test/Exam due to genuine exigencies, the student should
follow the procedure to apply for the Make-Up Test/Exam which will be made available on the Elearn
portal. The Make-Up Test/Exam will be conducted only at selected exam centres on the dates to be
announced later.
It shall be the responsibility of the individual student to be regular in maintaining the self study schedule as given
in the course handout, attend the online lectures, and take all the prescribed evaluation components such as
Assignment/Quiz, Mid-Semester Test and Comprehensive Exam according to the evaluation scheme provided in
the handout.