Wireless Engineering - for Designers

All of the material and examples of this class emphasize the things engineers need to know to design competitive devices for the wireless field. The course begins with fundamentals that are essential for the linear circuit design of matching circuits, filters, and amplifiers. However, because of the step-by-step development of the course, the student learns the basis of most components and subsystems used in wireless systems today, since amplifiers are among the most complex of component designs. Without this course, an engineer could spend years before acquiring the design perspective provided in just 5 days of this intensive training.

Instructor: Joseph F. White, Ph.D

Participants will learn to:

• Analyze circuits using complex analysis
• Perform dB and dBm conversions mentally
• Design LC matching circuits by inspection
• Specify the reflections on transmission lines (by reflection coefficient, return loss & VSWR)
• Use the Smith Chart for Impedance Matching (participants keep Smith Chart PC software)
• Converse with and employ Matrix Notation (Z, Y, ABCD, and S Parameter formats)
• Understand Wave Propagation and its basis from Maxwell's Equations
• Use CAE/CAD Software for Circuit Design (participants use Genesis software during course)
• Use R, L and C circuit models that include parasitics
• Design stripline, microstrip and coaxial transmission line circuits
• Analyze and specify directional couplers
• Specify antenna types to obtain desired radiation patterns
• Perform practical microwave measurements
• Design RF and microwave filters (Butterworth, Chebyshev, Bessel, & Elliptic)
• Design and use diplexers to interconnect transmitters & receivers with a common antenna
• Specify Noise Figure and Linear Ranges for amplifiers and components
• Design transistor amplifiers (4 methods) and insure unconditional stability
• Design broadband amplifiers.

Course Outline

• Review of complex number mathematics
• Review of decibels and dBm
• Review of AC theory and impedance
• Circuit Q and LC Matching
• Transmission Lines & Waves
• Development of the Smith Chart
• Smith Chart Software (participants keep software)
• Smith Chart Impedance Matching
• Matrix Algebra (S, Z, Y and ABCD matrices)
• Maxwell's Equations Simplified
• Propagating Waves
• Using CAE/CAD Tools
  • participants use Genesis 7 software during course
• Practical R, L, and C Components
• Design of Transmission Lines
• Properties & Design of Directional Couplers
• Antennas
• RF and microwave measurements
• Filter Design
  • Butterworth, Chebyshev, Bessel
• Diplexers
• Transistor Amplifier Fundamentals
• Noise and Noise Figure
• Non Linear Behavior & 3rd Order Intercept
• Guaranteeing Transistor Stability
• Transistor Amplifier Designs:
  • Unilateral Design
  • Simultaneous Conjugate Match
  • Available Gain Method
  • Operating Gain Method
  • Cascading Amplifier States
• Broadbanding Amplifiers

Course participants receive a 400-page note set with sample designs and solutions, and WinSmith (PC Smith Chart software).

Recently graduated electrical engineers and senior engineers wishing to jump start a wireless career, as well as engineering managers who want to advance their understanding of wireless design. Prerequisites: BS Degree or equivalent experience recommended.

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Joseph F. White serves as a teaching consultant to the RF and microwave industry. He received the Ph.D. in Electrophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and has engaged in semiconductor engineering within the microwave industry for 25 years, receiving the IEEE Application Award for his Contributions to Phased Array Antennas. He wrote the textbook Microwave Semiconductor Engineering, founded the magazine Applied Microwave and Wireless, and has taught courses on Wireless at both the introductory and engineering levels throughout the United States . He is a reviewer for the IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, an international lecturer, a Fellow of the IEEE and a member of the Eta Kappa Nu and Sigma Xi honorary fraternities.