Detailed Course Outline
Module 1: Key Concepts
Topics covered:
- Module Introduction.
- Describe the electromagnetic spectrum.
- Describe the principle characteristics of electromagnetic waves.
- Review
- Define amplitude.
- Define frequency.
- Review
- Identify and use multiple and fractional units of measure.
- Review
- Define wavelength.
- Review
- Describe phase and how it is measured.
- Describe bandwidth and how it affects capacity.
- Review
- Describe how RF power is measured.
- Demonstrate how to convert numbers to dB.
- Review
Module 2: Factors Affecting RF System Design
Topics covered:
- Module Introduction
- Explain why wires and printed circuit boards require special consideration when used at RF frequencies.
- Review
- Explain how RF signals may be transmitted from part to part with the RF system.
- Review
- Describe the construction of a waveguide and its applications.
- Describe the construction of coaxial cable and its applications.
- Describe the construction of a microstrip circuit and its applications.
- Review
- Describe the limitations of low-cost dielectrics in an RF system.
- Explain why impedance matching is an important design consideration.
- Describe percent reflected power.
- Describe Return Loss.
- Review
- Describe the reflection coefficient.
- Describe standing wave ratio.
- Describe the Smith Chart.
- Review
- Describe how to eliminate mismatches.
Module 3: Elements of the RF System
Topics covered:
- Module Introduction
- Illustrate the signal flow through the transmitter portion of an RF system.
- Review
- List the function and properties of the oscillator.
- List the function and properties of the attenuator.
- List the function and properties of the modulator.
- Review
- Describe the function of an upconverter.
- Describe the function of a power amplifier.
- Describe the two common types of power amplifiers used in RF.
- Review
- Describe the performance characteristics of a power amplifier.
- Review
- Describe the function and properties of a directional coupler.
- State the functions of a detector.
- Describe the function and types of duplexers.
- Describe an RF antenna.
- Illustrate the signal flow through the receiver portion of an RF system.
- Describe the function and types of filters.
- Describe the function and performance requirements of the low noise amplifier.
- Describe the function of a mixer.
- Describe the function of a demodulator.
- State the advantage of uing RF and microwave integrated circuits.
Module 4: Signal Processing
Topics covered:
- Module Introduction
- State the two forms that information can take when represented electronically.
- State the properties of analog signals.
- State the properties of digital signals.
- Describe how analog signals are converted to digital signals.
- State Nyquist’s Theorem.
- Review
- Review
- Review
- Describe why a higher sampling rate improves the accuracy of a reconstructed signal.
- Define quantization error.
- Describe how quantization error affects quantization noise.
- Define bit error rate.
- Describe error detection.
- Define modulation techniques.
- Define speech coders.
- State the types of speech coders commonly used in voice communication.
Module 5: Access Methods
Topics covered:
- Module Introduction
- Describe the fundamental properties of cellular mobile telephone architecture.
- Explain how cellular architecture increases system capacity.
- Explain how cellular architecture provides improved mobility.
- Review
- Explain how and why cells are sectored.
- Explain why multiple-access techniques are used.
- Review
- Describe the basic principles of Frequency Divisions Multiple Access (FDMA).
- Describe the basic principles of Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA).
- List the advantages of TDMA.
- Describe an RF antenna.
- Review
- Describe the function and performance requirements of the low noise amplifier.
- List the advantages of CDMA.
- Describe RF and microwave integrated circuits.
Module 6: Signal Propagation
Topics covered:
- Module Introduction
- State the requirement of information to be sent via wireless communications.
- State the properties of a transmitting antenna.
- Define isotropic antenna.
- Describe antenna gain.
- Define antenna pattern and beamwidth.
- Review
- Define main lobe, side lobe and back lobe.
- State the function of an antenna relevant to the impedance of the transmission line and free space.
- Define polarization.
- Define EIRP.
- Review
- Review
- State the key property of a receiving antenna.
- State the relationship between gain and receiving area.
- State four types of RF antennas.
- Describe a dipole antenna.
- State the typical uses of half-wave dipoles.
- Describe the properties of a colinear array.
- Describe the properties of a parabolic dish antenna.
- Describe the properties of a flat panel array.
- Describe propagation.
- Describe free space path loss.
- Review
- Describe reflection loss.
- Define multipath fading.
- Describe how multipath fading can be reduced.
- State the considerations for calculating path loss.
Module 7: Wireless Communication Systems
Topics covered:
- Module Introduction
- State the major RF wireless communications systems.
- State the design considerations of a cellular phone.
- State the performance features important to the end user and service provider.
- Describe the technical aspects of voice quality.
- Review
- State the technical aspects of voice channel capacity.
- Review
- State the technical aspects of mobile size and battery life.
- Review
- Describe the technical aspects of multiple access on infrastucture.
- State the design specifications of the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS).
- Describe the Digitally Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (DAMPS).
- Describe the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).
- Describe the Code Division Multiple Access system.
- Describe the PCS auction process.
- State the impact on PCS service providers of selecting GSM over CDMA.
- Describe the Personal Communication System (PCS).
- State the need for multi-mode mobile units.
- Describe the evolution of mobile satellite communication systems.
- Describe the Iridium, Odyssey and Globalstar systems.
- Describe the options available for wireless LANs.
- Describe the paging systems.
- Describe the Global Position System (GPS).
Module 8: The Future of Wireless
Topics covered:
- Module Introduction
- Describe the S-curve and how it can be used to map the evolution of telecommunications technology.
- Describe the role of the PSTN in the future of the telecommunications industry.
- Describe picocells.
- Describe the alternatives to installing and maintaining a wire-based infrastructure.
- Describe wireless local loop.
- Describe the dawning of the completely mobile wireless network.
- Summary