35020 - Electronics for Communications LS-A

Learning outcomes

This course deals with the analysis an the synthesis of electronic circuits for telecommunications. In particular, topics to be covered include circuits and devices used in the design of very high frequency T/R modules, including technological aspects related to their physical realization.

Course contents

Basics: Review of transceiver architectures and their behavioural components. Linear and nonlinear components with and without memory. Modulation and demodulation schemes.

Small-signal Amplifiers: High frequency narrow-band amplifiers. Review of scattering parameter theory. Design criteria of lumped and distributed matching networks. Transistor biasing. Stability analysis of microwave amplifiers. Single-ended and balanced amplifiers. Noise basics and Low-Noise Amplifiers.

Power Amplifiers: Harmonic and intermodulation distortion analysis. Introduction to Power Amplifiers. Definitions of gain compression, third-order intercept point, efficiency, Power Added Efficiency. AM/AM and AM/PM characteristics. Source and Load Pull systems. Design criteria of power amplifiers in A, B, C classes of operation.

Diode- and transistor-based mixers: Distortion analysis in mixers. Intermodulation distortion. Singly and doubly balanced mixers. Basic schemes. Spectral analysis. Basics of analog multipliers. Gilbert Cell. Switching mixers basics. Examples of mixer realizations.

Electron Devices for microwave and millimetre-wave applications: Schottky diode, PIN diode, Varactor, Heterostructures, JFET, MESFET, (P)HEMT, HBT. Classification of  electron device models. Empirical models implemented into CAD tools. Model parameter identification.

Readings/Bibliography

- G. Gonzales, Microwave Transistor Amplifiers, Artech House
- R. S. Carson, Radio communications concepts: Analog, J.Wiley&Sons
- B. Razavi, RF Microelectronics, Prentice Hall
- G. Ghione, Dispositivi per la microelettronica, McGraw Hill
- M. Golio, MESFETs and HEMTs, Artech House

Teaching methods

Lecturers and Laboratory. Laboratory exercises will be carried out by using commercial CAD tools for the design of microwave and mm-wave circuits.

Assessment methods

Examination: oral.

Teaching tools

Slide and course notes.

Links to further information

http://www-micrel.deis.unibo.it/eletlc/staff/alberto/didattica/didattica.html

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Santarelli