- Docente: Diego Masotti
- Credits: 6
- SSD: ING-INF/02
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LS) in Telecommunications Engineering (cod. 0231)
Learning outcomes
Knowledge of operating principles and design technique of radiofrequency circuits and subsystems of modern telecommunications systems, in particular of mobile systems. Capability in applying these techniques to modern Computer-Aided Design simulation methods.
Course contents
Front-end architecture and main functional blocks: examples of typical mobile phones front-end architecture .
Importance of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) on nonlinear radiofrequency circuits .
Nonlinear circuits: Volterra series; main nonlinear phenomena: harmonic generation, saturation, intermodualtion distortion, cross-modulation; structure of typical spectra.
Harmonic-Balance (HB) Method: nodal and piecewise formulation; general scheme of the method; Newton-Raphson algorithm for the resolution of the HB nonlinear system.
Network functions of nonlinear circuits.
Modulation-oriented Harmonic-Balance (MHB) Method for the analysis of nonlinear circuits under digitally modulated excitation (or "envelope transient" analysis).
CAD of nonlinear circuits (deterministic design): design by means of cascaded analyses; design goals; optimization algorithms; narrow- and broad-band design.
Statitical design: dependance of circuit performance on random parameters; concept of yield; statistical design by means of yield optimization.
Low noise amplifiers: gain, stability and noise; CAD
Power amplifiers: different classes; nonlinear effects; CAD.
Mixers: balanced mixers; image-rejection mixers; single-side band mixers.
Oscillators: oscillation buildup conditions and oscillating conditions; CAD.
Laboratory: analysis and optimization of realistic radiofrequency circuit by means of commercial software tools.
Readings/Bibliography
Copy of the slides of the lessons.
Roberto Sorrentino, Giovanni Bianchi, 'Ingegneria delle microonde e radiofrequenze', McGraw-Hill
George D. Vendelin, Anthony M. Pavio, Ulrich R. Rhode, 'Microwave circuit design using linear and nonlinear techniques', John Wiley & Sons.
Stephen A. Maas, 'Nonlinear microwave circuits', Artech House.
Teaching methods
During the lessons the operating principles of the components of modern telecommunications subsystems are deeply discussed (amplifiers, mixers and oscillators). Particular attention is devoted to the problems occurring in the use of circuit simulation tools for both analyse and design nonlinear RF circuits.
The practical exercises in laboratory are focussed on the use of commercial circuit simulation tools largely spread in the industry of this branch.
Assessment methods
Oral examination, to verify the student comprehension of the nonlinear behaviour of modern radiofrequency circuits.
Teaching tools
Lecture notes covering the whole course are available
Office hours
See the website of Diego Masotti