Students know about the requirements and challenges of wireless communication frontends and can name and describe them.
They are familiar with modern wireless standards and modulation schemes and can name and describe them.
They know most important transceiver architectures and performance metrics for RF frontend systems.
They are able to design and simulate important RF circuit building blocks like basic low-noise amplifiers, mixers, oscillators and passive microwave components.

None

The module covers the following topics/contents:

• Introduction to RF communications systems
  • Structure of a wireless communication link
  • Modulation schemes and communication standards
  • Wireless propagation mechanisms
• Wireless Transceiver Architectures
  • Basic and Modern Heterodyne Receivers
  • Direct Conversion Receivers
  • Image Reject Receivers
  • Low-IF Receivers
  • Heterodyne Transmitters
  • Direct Conversion Transmitters
• Basic Concepts in RF CMOS IC Design
• RF Design Metrics (IIP2/3, Noise Figure, Sensitivity, Dynamic Range)
• Important RF building blocks
  • CMOS Low-Noise Amplifiers
  • CMOS Mixers
  • OscillatorsRF
  • Power amplifiers

Lecture material as provided in the course (required)
Recommended reading as follows:

• B. Razavi, RF Microelectronics, Pearson Education, Prentice Hall, 2011
• R. L. Haupt, Wireless Communications Systems: An Introduction, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019
• S. Voinigescu, High-Frequency Integrated Circuits, Cambridge University Press, 2013
• F. Ellinger, Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits and Technologies, Springer, 2008
• T. H. Lee, The Design of CMOS Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits, Cambridge University Press, 2004

Teaching and discussion, problem assignments, practical design labs using CAD design tools, homework

Integrated module examination
Immanent examination character: Written/oral exam, including homework assignments, presentations and lecture contribution