Digital Radio Engineering

4.0 credits

This is an introductory course on state-of-the-art radio engineering with an emphasis on digital implementation of software defined radio (SDR) systems. SDR utilizes cutting-edge digital technologies to enable versatile and agile RF and wireless devices for a wide range of applications, including 5G wireless communications and next-generation radars. The technology platform can also be applied to AI-related computing and instrumentation applications. We begin with an overview of fundamental RF concepts and circuit techniques, followed by a discussion of several modern RF and wireless system architectures. Then we learn how to design basic RF circuits and subsystems using electronic design automation (EDA) tools. The main focus of the course is a project in which we design and implement an SDR using off-the-shelf RF components and an FPGA evaluation board. The project will be carried out in two phases: a) proposal and design, and b) build and tests. The course also covers RF test/measurement techniques related to the project. This project-based course will be structured in lectures and workshops in first 5 weeks, followed by the project in later 8 weeks.