RF and millimeter-Wave Circuit Design

Instructors: Carlos Mendes, Jr.

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25,756 already enrolled

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

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Assessments

19 assignments

Taught in English

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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.

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 videos Total 55 minutes

Welcome to the RF Circuit Design Course 8 minutes
Introduction to Wireless Systems 10 minutes
Introduction to Design Labs 4 minutes
Introduction to Simulation with Qucs-S 10 minutes
Introduction to Octave as a processing tool for Qucs-s 3 minutes
Introduction to Time Domain Measurements 9 minutes
Introduction to RF Network Measurements 12 minutes

6 readings Total 100 minutes

List of References 10 minutes
Course Structure 10 minutes
Questions and Answers 10 minutes
Supporting Material 10 minutes
Supporting Material 30 minutes
Supporting Material 30 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Introduction to Wireless Systems 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 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 videos Total 96 minutes

Path Loss 17 minutes
Design Challenges 10 minutes
Sensitivity 20 minutes
Selectivity and Distortion 26 minutes
Solution - Wireless System Analysis 12 minutes
Solution - RF Transceiver Design (calculation and validation) 11 minutes

6 readings Total 60 minutes

Supporting Material 10 minutes
Supporting Material 10 minutes
Supporting Material 10 minutes
Supporting Material 10 minutes
Assignment - System Design of a Wireless Tin Can Telephone 10 minutes
Solution - Supporting Material 10 minutes

4 assignments Total 120 minutes

Path Loss 30 minutes
Design Challenges 30 minutes
Sensitivity 30 minutes
Selectivity and Distortion 30 minutes

1 peer review Total 60 minutes

Wireless Tin Can Telephone - System Analysis 60 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 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 videos Total 158 minutes

Amplifiers Design 16 minutes
Amplifiers Topologies 28 minutes
Amplifiers Matching (LNA) 33 minutes
Power Amplifiers 13 minutes
PA Matching 8 minutes
PA Design 15 minutes
PA Class A Example 10 minutes
Classification of Power Amplifiers 23 minutes
Solution - Single-ended Common Source Amplifier 13 minutes

6 readings Total 30 minutes

Supporting Material 5 minutes
Supporting Material 5 minutes
Supporting Material 5 minutes
Supporting Material 5 minutes
Assignment - Amplifiers 5 minutes
Solution - Supporting Material 5 minutes

4 assignments Total 105 minutes

Amplifiers Design 20 minutes
Amplifiers Topologies 20 minutes
Amplifiers Matching (LNA) 20 minutes
Power Amplifiers (PA) 45 minutes

1 peer review Total 60 minutes

Simulation and Implementation of Amplifiers 60 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 videos Total 87 minutes

Introduction to Mixers 22 minutes
Double Balanced Mixers 15 minutes
Image & Harmonics 25 minutes
Active and Passive Mixers 17 minutes
Solution - Double Balanced Mixer 9 minutes

6 readings Total 60 minutes

Supporting Material 10 minutes
Supporting Material 10 minutes
Supporting Material 10 minutes
Supporting Material 10 minutes
Assignment - Mixers 10 minutes
Solution - Supporting Material 10 minutes

4 assignments Total 120 minutes

Introduction to Mixers 30 minutes
Double Balanced Mixers 30 minutes
Image & Harmonics 30 minutes
Active and Passive Mixers 30 minutes

1 peer review Total 60 minutes

Simulation and Implementation of Mixers 60 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 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 videos Total 89 minutes

Introduction to Oscillators 25 minutes
Tunable Oscillators 24 minutes
Oscillator Phase Noise 21 minutes
Breakdown Voltage and Buffering for Oscillators 8 minutes
Solution - Oscillators 10 minutes

6 readings Total 30 minutes

Supporting Material 5 minutes
Supporting Material 5 minutes
Supporting Material 5 minutes
Supporting Material 5 minutes
Assignment - Oscillators 5 minutes
Solution - Supporting Material 5 minutes

4 assignments Total 120 minutes

Introduction to Oscillators 30 minutes
Tunable Oscillators 30 minutes
Oscillator Phase Noise 30 minutes
Breakdown Voltage and Buffering for Oscillators 30 minutes

1 peer review Total 60 minutes

Simulation and Implementation of Oscillators 60 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 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.