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RF and millimeter-Wave Circuit Design

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RF and millimeter-Wave Circuit Design

Instructors: Carlos Mendes, Jr.

26,029 already enrolled

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

247 reviews

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

247 reviews

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

19 assignments

Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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There are 6 modules in this course

This unique Master-level course offered by the Center for Wireless Technology Eindhoven (CWT/e) of the Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands, provides students with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience on RF and mmWave circuit design.

The course covers the topics on how to derive the RF wireless systems specifications, and how to design the main building blocks of a transceiver, i.e., low noise amplifier, power amplifier, RF mixers, oscillators, and PLL frequency synthesizers. It is divided into two parts: (1) theoretical lectures will cover the basis of RF and mmWave Circuit Design; and (2) design labs will include simulation and implementation of these circuits. The design labs are completely optional for obtaining the certificate, but they are recommended because they allow students to put into practice all the acquired theoretical knowledge, and of course, implementing the circuits is where all the fun is! The students will be able to do 70% of the design labs using simulation tools, which already offers a great learning experience. The other 30% will require students to either get access to an electronics lab or to purchase a few off-the-shelf components. But ultimately, this would allow students to design and build their own transceiver at home! The course contains theoretical video classes with examples, quizzes, and an entire set of simulation files, step-by-step procedures, recorded data of real-life circuits, and solution videos so that students can learn from and build even better circuits.

Module details

This module will introduce the student to the RF and mm-Wave Circuit Design course and to the topic of wireless systems. It will present the learning objectives, grading system, supporting material, introductory class, and design labs. Besides, it will show the student how to use the simulation tools and the equipment used in the design labs.

What's included

7 videos6 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 55 minutes

Welcome to the RF Circuit Design Course8 minutes
Introduction to Wireless Systems10 minutes
Introduction to Design Labs4 minutes
Introduction to Simulation with Qucs-S10 minutes
Introduction to Octave as a processing tool for Qucs-s3 minutes
Introduction to Time Domain Measurements9 minutes
Introduction to RF Network Measurements12 minutes

6 readingsTotal 100 minutes

List of References10 minutes
Course Structure10 minutes
Questions and Answers10 minutes
Supporting Material10 minutes
Supporting Material30 minutes
Supporting Material30 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Introduction to Wireless Systems30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Questions about Wireless Systems (9AM - 9:30AM CET)10 minutes

The module on Wireless Systems will introduce the student to the history of wireless technologies, wireless system design, and RF system specifications. Concepts about transceivers will be detailed, such as path loss, interference signals, receiver sensitivity, and transmitter output power. It also includes the first design lab, the system design of a Wireless Tin Can Telephone.

What's included

6 videos6 readings4 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

6 videosTotal 96 minutes

Path Loss17 minutes
Design Challenges10 minutes
Sensitivity20 minutes
Selectivity and Distortion26 minutes
Solution - Wireless System Analysis12 minutes
Solution - RF Transceiver Design (calculation and validation)11 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Supporting Material10 minutes
Supporting Material10 minutes
Supporting Material10 minutes
Supporting Material10 minutes
Assignment - System Design of a Wireless Tin Can Telephone10 minutes
Solution - Supporting Material10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Path Loss30 minutes
Design Challenges30 minutes
Sensitivity30 minutes
Selectivity and Distortion30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Wireless Tin Can Telephone - System Analysis60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Questions about Wireless Systems Analysis (9AM-9:30AM CET)10 minutes

The Amplifiers module will introduce the student to the basic concepts of amplifiers, types of power gain, and the most used amplifier topologies. The student will also learn about low noise amplifier matching and power amplifiers classes. The second design lab will focus on designing LNAs and PAs.

What's included

9 videos6 readings4 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

9 videosTotal 158 minutes

Amplifiers Design16 minutes
Amplifiers Topologies28 minutes
Amplifiers Matching (LNA)33 minutes
Power Amplifiers13 minutes
PA Matching8 minutes
PA Design15 minutes
PA Class A Example10 minutes
Classification of Power Amplifiers23 minutes
Solution - Single-ended Common Source Amplifier13 minutes

6 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Supporting Material5 minutes
Supporting Material5 minutes
Supporting Material5 minutes
Supporting Material5 minutes
Assignment - Amplifiers5 minutes
Solution - Supporting Material5 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 105 minutes

Amplifiers Design20 minutes
Amplifiers Topologies20 minutes
Amplifiers Matching (LNA)20 minutes
Power Amplifiers (PA)45 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Simulation and Implementation of Amplifiers60 minutes

1 discussion prompt

Questions about Amplifiers Design (9AM - 9:30AM CET)0 minutes

The Mixers module will introduce the student to the working principle of RF mixers and their basic concepts. The difference between active and passive mixers will be explained, the advantages and drawbacks of balanced and unbalanced mixers will be detailed, and the mixer's noise performance highlighted. The third design lab will cover the design of up and down-conversion mixers.

What's included

5 videos6 readings4 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 87 minutes

Introduction to Mixers22 minutes
Double Balanced Mixers15 minutes
Image & Harmonics25 minutes
Active and Passive Mixers17 minutes
Solution - Double Balanced Mixer9 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Supporting Material10 minutes
Supporting Material10 minutes
Supporting Material10 minutes
Supporting Material10 minutes
Assignment - Mixers10 minutes
Solution - Supporting Material10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Introduction to Mixers30 minutes
Double Balanced Mixers30 minutes
Image & Harmonics30 minutes
Active and Passive Mixers30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Simulation and Implementation of Mixers60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Questions about Mixer Design (9AM - 9:30AM CET)10 minutes

The Oscillators module will introduce the student to the working principles of frequency oscillators and their basic concepts, like condition to sustain an oscillation. The student will learn about different topologies of oscillators, why and how to tune oscillators, and the impact of noise in the oscillator's signal. At last, the influence of output buffering and breakdown voltage on oscillators will also be explained. The fourth design lab will focus on designing a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO).

What's included

5 videos6 readings4 assignments1 peer review1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 89 minutes

Introduction to Oscillators25 minutes
Tunable Oscillators24 minutes
Oscillator Phase Noise21 minutes
Breakdown Voltage and Buffering for Oscillators8 minutes
Solution - Oscillators10 minutes

6 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Supporting Material5 minutes
Supporting Material5 minutes
Supporting Material5 minutes
Supporting Material5 minutes
Assignment - Oscillators5 minutes
Solution - Supporting Material5 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Introduction to Oscillators30 minutes
Tunable Oscillators30 minutes
Oscillator Phase Noise30 minutes
Breakdown Voltage and Buffering for Oscillators30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Simulation and Implementation of Oscillators60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Questions about Oscillators Design (9AM - 9:30AM CET)10 minutes

The Synthesizers module will introduce the student to the working principles of frequency synthesizers and their basic concepts. The student will learn about the importance of using synthesizers in modern wireless communications, the Phase-Locked Loop types I and II, the advantages and drawbacks of using All-Digital PLL, and the impact of the PLL frequency synthesizer on the signal's noise performance. At last, the architecture and usage of fractional-N PLL frequency synthesizers will be detailed. The fifth and last design lab will contain the design of a frequency divider and a phase detector.