Course Name
RF Fundamentals
Course Number
LS 123 102
Course Duration
2 days
Course Description
Radio Frequency (RF) provides a thorough overview of the
principles behind RF engineering. The course covers the basics of RF
theory such as modulation techniques, channel coding, capacity,
propagation and frequency planning.
Course Objective
After completing this course, students will be able to:
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Explain the Basics of RF
Understand the engineering tools and procedures required for
RF engineering and planning
Understand existing and emerging standards for RF
Understand RF Propagation and Antenna Principle
Describe and understand a broad spectrum of antenna types
Discuss RF Modulation Techniques
Review RF System Design Considerations
Review RF System Budget Profiles
Calculate propagation lossess and link budgets.
Explain RF performance and Optimization considerations
Analyze system degradation due to RF components
Evaluate the performance of differing RF wireless system
architectures
Explore project planning process of RF
Review successful RF deployments
Discuss successful and unsuccessful RF deployments
Step through a practical process for managing RF networks
Explore the current and future market trends
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Target Audience
Prerequisites
Course Modules
None
 RF Overview
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History of RF
Characteristics of a Radio Signal
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Basic Problems of Radio
Basic Building Blocks in Radio Design
Mixers, Amplifiers, Filters and Antennas
Eb/No vs. SNR, BER vs. noise, Bandwidth Limitations
Modulation Schemes and Bandwidth
Technology Fundamentals
Types of Modulation: AM, FM, FSK, QAM, PSK & QPSK
RF Engineering Principals applied
Cellular and Mobile RF (GSM, GPRS, EDGE/W-CDMA and
UMTS)
Cellular and Mobile RF (CDMA and CDMA2000)
Fixed Wireless RF (802.11, 802.16, HF, UHF, Microwave,
Satellite)
 RF Technologies and Deployment
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Radio Propagation
Introduction to Microwaves
Definition of RF/microwave
Frequency Bands Signal Principles
Modulation, Bandwidth, Interference, Performance
Fundamentals of Digital RF Communication
Multiple Access Methods and Comparative Capacities
Link Structure
Call Processing
Design Engineering
Performance Engineering
Traffic Engineering
System Noise Management
Propagation modes
Transmission line aspects
Smith Chart
Scattering parameter analysis
Microwave filters
Matching networks
Power flow relations
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Unilateral and bilateral amplifier designs
Stability analysis
Oscillators circuits
Mixers
Antennas
RF Regulatory Considerations
 RF Propagation Principles
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Physics and Propagation Mechanisms
Propagation Models and Link Budgets
Practical System Design Considerations
Frequency and Wavelength
The Physics of Propagation: Free Space, Reflection,
Diffraction
Local Variability: Rayleigh fading and multipath cancellation
Area Propagation Models: Okumura, HATA, Cost 231
Point-to-Point Models: techniques and commercial software
Analyzing measured data to produce models
Reliability of Service: using statistics to design for reliability
Macro-cell Indoor Penetration Considerations and reliability
Micro-cellular systems and techniques
Propagation Prediction Tools and Measurement Tools
Propagation Losses
Free space path loss
Reflection and scattering loss
Multipath
Rayleigh fading models
Link Budgets and High-Level System Design
Link Budget basics and application principles
Traffic Considerations
 Types Of Propagation Models And Their Uses
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Simple Analytical models
General Area models
Point-to-Point models
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Local Variability models
The Okumura Model
The Hata Model
The EURO COST-231 Model
Morphological Zones
Walfisch-Betroni/Walfisch-Ikegami Models
Commercial Propagation Prediction Software
 Antennas
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Antenna Basics
Basic Antennas: Isotropic and Dipole radiators
Concept of Antenna Gain and gain references
Effective Radiated Power
Antenna Patterns and Pattern Features
How Antennas achieve Gain
Reflector techniques, array techniques
Families of Antennas used in Wireless: architecture,
characteristics
Collinear vertical antennas
Horizontal arrays: yagis, log-periodics, etc.
Implications of propagation driving antenna selection
Multipath scattering in mobile clutter environment
Beamwidth and tilt considerations for base station antennas
Radiation Pattern
Gain Antenna types, composition and operational principles
Antenna gains, patterns, and selection principles
Antenna system testing
 Basic Principles of Traffic Engineering and Optimization
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Trunks, Circuits, Voice Paths
Offered Traffic vs. Carried Traffic
Blocking Probability, Grade of Service
Basic Operational Concepts
Using Traffic Calculators (Voice, Data, Video and VoIP)
 System Design Considerations
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Eb/No vs. SNR
BER vs. Noise
Bandwidth Limitations
RF System Design
Noise Figure
Receiver Sensitivity
Desensitization and Blocking
Dynamic Range
Intermodulation Distortion
Power Output
Spectral Efficiency and System Limitations
Sample Link Budget Calculations
 Labs and Hands-on Exercises