AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to provide basic knowledge on the design and construction aspects of systems and circuits for radio communication, taking into account the points of view relating to analog design, microwave theory and communication systems.

In particular, the architectures of the transceivers, their building blocks and the aspects related to the realization of circuits both at discrete components and at the integrated circuit level will be examined.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lesson and laboratory exercises (4 hours)

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The theory of modulation and wireless standards from the point of view of the designer of RF electronic circuits will be mentioned.

The main topics considered in the program are:

• Heterodyne transceiver architectures, direct conversion and image frequency rejection.
• Resonators and networks for impedance transformation
• Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA)
• Passive and active mixers
• Voltage controlled oscillators (VCO), phase noise mechanisms and various circuit topologies
• Phase Locked Rings (PLL)
• Whole-N and fractional-N frequency synthesizers
• Power amplifiers and linearization techniques

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• B. Razavi, RF Microelectronics (2nd Edition) (Prentice Hall, 2012)
• T.H. Lee, The Design of CMOS Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits, Second Edition, (Cambridge University Press, 2004)