ECGR6264              	Radio Frequency Design               Fall 2012

Prof. Weldon: EPIC 2228, tpweldon@uncc.edu
Course Web site: http://thomasweldon.com/tpw/courses/index.html
Office hours: see my home page http://coefs.uncc.edu/tpweldon/

Text: "RF Circuit Design: Theory & Applications (2nd Ed.),"
Prentice Hall, Reinhold Ludwig and Gene Bogdanov, 2008.
Suggested References:
"Design of CMOS Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits,"
Cambridge Univ. Press, Thomas H. Lee, 1998 or 2003.

Grading will be based on quizzes, projects, homework, reports, attendance,
roughly in proportion to the number of class periods devoted to each.
It is likely that projects will comprise the bulk of the grades,
with a final RFIC project roughly weighted in proportion to the number
of weeks devoted to the final project (approx. 4/5 weeks and approx. 30%).
At least one student per group MUST commit to RFIC test in following semester.
Grading scale: 90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, with ``curve,''
if any, entirely at the discretion of the professor. Quizzes may
be given without warning. We will also be using the computer lab.

Collaboration (not copying) on homework is encouraged. However,
different project groups may NOT share program code or report material.
Certain assignments may be restricted to independent effort, in which
case collaboration is not permitted. Class attendance and participation
are expected. There is no formal course prerequisite for this course,
but all students enrolling should be thoroughly familiar with analog and
digital communications (ECGR4123), Fourier transform concepts (ECGR3111),
and electronic devices R, L, C, BJT, MOSFET, and their use in circuits.

Course Outline (subject to change).

Week Topic

1 Introduction
Background, applications, unique aspects of RF design

2 Introduction to RF CAD tools

3-5 Transmission Line and S Parameters
Transmission lines, impedance matching, Smith chart,
reflection, VSWR, microstrip, s parameters

6,7 Performance of RF Circuits and Systems - Language of
RF Design Noise figure, nonlinearity, harmonic and
intermodulation distortion, 3rd-order intercept point,
1-dB compression, spurious free dynamic range, cascade
analysis

8-10 Receiver Design
Frequency plan, cascade analysis, receiver examples,
transmitter, transceiver issues

11 Receiver Architectures
Selectivity problem, crystal and SAW filters, need for
frequency conversion, superheterodyne, image reject,
direct-conversion receivers,frequency manipulation of
spectra (I/Q), receiver example

12 - 15 Final Project and/or Misc Topics such as:
RFIC design/layout
hybrids, directional couplers, isolators, circulators,
transformers, baluns
Free space loss, signals, noise, decibels, antennas,
review of Fourier transform/series and modulation
Phase Locked Loop (PLL) Frequency Synthesizers
Analysis and compensation of single-loop PLL's,
oscillator phase noise, receiver reciprocal mixing,
analysis and design of low phase noise PLL synthesizers

15 Final Project Presentations
Final project report typically due during final exam time.

If you miss an exam/quiz for any reason, you will receive a grade of zero
(exceptional circumstances must be documented and/or approved by the
instructor at least 24 hours prior to the exam). Any special exam or project
accommodation request should be made no later than the class meeting one week
before the exam or project. Frequent absence from class or labs may result
in a severe grade reduction. Late projects will not be accepted, or may
be penalized up to 20 percent per day, solely at the instructor's discretion.
Absence from each project session will result in 20% grade reduction per
absence, beyond 1 absence. The instructor is free to assign students to any
project group at any time. Appeals regarding final grade must be communicated
to instructor within 14 days after end of semester, since any residual
materials may be destroyed thereafter.

It is the responsibility of the student to be familiar with the academic
regulations, degree requirements, religious accommodation for students,
course requirements, and all other requirements, policies, and procedures
set forth in the current University Catalog and all University Policies.
The official university guidelines supersede any contradictions that may
exist in this handout. Violations may result in reduction of grades,
zero grade, fines, suspension, course failure, or other adverse consequences.
In addition, a proper classroom environment is expected by all students,
and therefore any disorderly or disruptive conduct or other negative impacts
on the classroom, solely at the instructor's discretion, will result in
expulsion from such class with a grade of zero for corresponding material,
and/or other adverse sanctions as may be deemed appropriate.

If there are any issues or problems within a group, students must
follow the Project Problem Resolution Guidelines provided on the
course website.

The course policies set forth in this syllabus may be modified at any time
by the course instructor. Notice of such changes may be by announcement in
class and/or by email to the student's UNCC email address.


ALL STUDENTS MUST MEET PREREQUISITES AND COREQUISITES FOR THIS COURSE as
published in the UNCC Catalog.

Prerequisite:
Corequisite:
Prerequisite or corequisite:

There is no formal course prerequisite for this course,
but all students enrolling should be thoroughly familiar with analog and
digital communications (ECGR4123), Fourier transform concepts (ECGR3111),
and electronic devices R, L, C, BJT, MOSFET, and their use in circuits.