Understanding Fundamental of Radio: Analysis, Design and Propagation™

Training Format: ILT
Course Code: RADIO

For a Class Schedule Contact TRA a 800.872.4736

Description

This is an intense hands-on course, designed to provide the student with an in-depth understanding of the technical aspects RF system design, analysis and deployment. Technologies used for Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) radio, from HF to EHF, are considered. Throughout this course, the student will gain in-depth knowledge of RF through the use of multiple calculation exercises as well as exercises and simulations using provided spreadsheets. Each module of this course builds upon the previous modules, enhancing the student's understanding of the topic areas.

As an IEEE WCET workshop, this course focuses on the following knowledge areas of the WCET certification exam:
Area 1: RF Engineering, Propagation and Antennas
Area 2: Wireless Access Technologies
Area 7: Fundamental Knowledge

Expected Outcome

Upon completion of this course should be able to:

Identify different E-M propagation modes based on frequency
Define the relationship between bandwidth and Baud rate
Use decibels for gains, losses and power levels
Describe the various components of a radio and their functions
Describe various amplifier types and impairments
Quantify the relationship between noise and bandwidth
Determine the bit rate of a channel based on bandwidth, modulation scheme and FEC overhead
Describe multiple access using FDMA, TDMA, CDMA and OFDMA
Determine Near-field and Far-field regions of an antenna
Compare VSWR, Return Loss, Reflected Power and Mismatch Loss
Describe multiple antenna systems: MIMO and Adaptive Arrays
Perform a cascade analysis for both terrestrial and satellite systems
Perform link budgets for both Line-of-Sight and Non-Line-of Sight links
Determine LOS distance based on the radio horizon
Perform a path loss analysis using a simple physical model
Describe how Delay Spread and Doppler Spread effect small-scale fading
Perform a path loss analysis for a NLOS environment

Course Outline

Introduction to Wireless Technologies

A Brief History of Wireless Communications
The Continuing Evolution of Wireless Technologies
Overview of Modern Wireless Technologies

Radio Wave Characteristics

The Electro-magnetic Spectrum
Propagation Modes of Radio Waves
Radio Spectrum: Licensed and License Exempt

Fundamental Radio Concepts

Basics of Information Transfer for Radio
Working with Decibels—Gains, Losses, Power Levels
Basic Radio Components
Wireless Impairments: Internal Noise and Distortion

Digital Modulation and Error Correction Techniques

Analog and Digital Modulation
Getting More Bits per Baud
Error Correction Techniques

Physical Layers and Multiple access Techniques

Basic Access Techniques
OFDM and OFDMA
Spread Spectrum and CDMA

Basics of Antennas and Antenna Systems

E-M Field Radiation: Intentional and Unintentional
Basic Antenna Types and Uses
Basic Antenna Characteristics
Antenna Field Regions
Care and Feeding of Antennas
Antenna Diversity Techniques
Advanced Antenna Systems

Link Budget Analysis Techniques

Noise and Noise Sources
Link Budget Considerations
Budgeting the Radio Link

Line-of-Sight Radio Propagation

Defining Line-of-Sight
Line-of-Sight Path Loss Analysis

The Non-Line-of-Sight Propagation Environment

Non-Line-of-Sight Propagation Mechanisms
Impairments due to Time Dispersal
Modeling Propagation Loss in a NLOS Environment