RF and Microwave Engineering

Fundamentals of Wireless Communications

Frank Gustrau

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9781118349571
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Microwaves
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This book provides a fundamental and practical introduction to radio frequency and microwave engineering and physical aspects of wireless communication

In this book, the author addresses a wide range of radio-frequency and microwave topics with emphasis on physical aspects including EM and voltage waves, transmission lines, passive circuits, antennas, radio wave propagation. Up-to-date RF design tools like RF circuit simulation, EM simulation and computerized smith charts, are used in various examples to demonstrate how these methods can be applied effectively in RF engineering practice.

Design rules and working examples illustrate the theoretical parts. The examples are close to real world problems, so the reader can directly transfer the methods within the context of their own work. At the end of each chapter a list of problems is given in order to deepen the reader's understanding of the chapter material and practice the new competences. Solutions are available on the author's website.

Key Features:

• Presents a wide range of RF topics with emphasis on physical aspects e.g. EM and voltage waves, transmission lines, passive circuits, antennas
• Uses various examples of modern RF tools that show how the methods can be applied productively in RF engineering practice
• Incorporates various design examples using circuit and electromagnetic (EM) simulation software
• Discusses the propagation of waves: their representation, their effects, and their utilization in passive circuits and antenna structures
• Provides a list of problems at the end of each chapter
• Includes an accompanying website containing solutions to the problems (http: \\www.fh-dortmund.de\gustrau_rf_textbook)

This will be an invaluable textbook for bachelor and masters s tudents on electrical engineering courses (microwave engineering, basic circuit theory and electromagnetic fields, wireless communications). Early-stage RF practitioners, engineers (e.g. application engineer) working in this area will also find this book of interest.

Chapter 1

Introduction

This chapter provides a short overview on widely used microwave and RF applications and the denomination of frequency bands. We will start out with an illustrative case on wave propagation which will introduce fundamental aspects of high frequency technology. Then we will give an overview of the content of the following chapters to facilitate easy orientation and quick navigation to selected issues.

1.1 Radiofrequency and Microwave Applications

Today, at home or on the move, every one of us uses devices that employ wireless technology to an increasing extent. Figure 1.1 shows a selection of wireless communication, navigation, identification and detection applications.

Figure 1.1 (a) Examples of wireless applications (b) RF components and propagation of electromagnetic waves.

In the future we will see a growing progression of the trend of applying components and systems of high frequency technology to new areas of application. The development and maintenance of such systems requires an extensive knowledge of the high frequency behaviour of basic elements (e.g. resistors, capacitors, inductors, transmission lines, transistors), components (e.g. antennas), circuits (e.g. filters, amplifiers, mixers) including physical issues such as electromagnetic wave propagation.

High frequency technology has always been of major importance in the field of radio applications, recently though RF design methods have started to develop as a crucial factor with rapid digital circuits. Due to the increasing processing speed of digital circuits, high frequency signals occur which, in turn, create demand for RF design methods.

In addition, the high frequency technology's proximity to electromagnetic field theory overlaps with aspects of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Setups for conducted and radiated measurements, which are used in this context, are based on principles of high frequency technology. If devices do not comply with EMC limits in general a careful analysis of the circumstances will be required to achieve improvements. Often, high frequency issues play a major role here.

Table 1.1 shows a number of standard RF and microwave applications and their associated frequency bands [1–3]. The applications include terrestrial voice and data communication, that is cellular networks and wireless communication networks, as well as terrestrial and satellite based broadcasting systems. Wireless identification systems (RFID) within ISM bands enjoy increasing popularity among cargo traffic and logistics businesses. As for the field of navigation, GPS should be highlighted, which is already installed in numerous vehicles and mobile devices. Also in the automotive sector, radar systems are used to monitor the surrounding aresa or serve as sensors for driver assistance systems.

Table 1.1 Wireless applications and frequency ranges

Cellular mobile telephony
GSM 900	Global System for Mobile Communication	880 … 960 MHz
GSM 1800	Global System for Mobile Communication	1.71 … 1.88 GHz
UMTS	Universal Mobile Telecommunications System	1.92 … 2.17 GHz
Tetra	Trunked radio	440 … 470 MHz
Wireless networks
WLAN	Wireless local area network	2.45 GHz, 5 GHz
Bluetooth	Short range radio	2.45 GHz
Navigation
GPS	Global Positioning System	1.2 GHz, 1.575 GHz
Identification
RFID	Radio-Frequency Identification	13.56 MHz, 868 MHz,
		2.45 GHz, 5 GHz
Radio broadcasting
FM	Analog broadcast transmitter network	87.5 … 108 MHz
DAB	Digital Audio Broadcasting	223 … 230 MHz
DVB-T	Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial	470 … 790 MHz
DVB-S	Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite	10.7 … 12.75 GHz
Radar applications
SRR	Automotive short range radar	24 GHz
ACC	Adaptive cruise control radar	77 GHz

1.2 Frequency Bands

For better orientation, the electromagnetic spectrum is divided into a number of frequency bands. Various naming conventions have been established in different parts of the world, which often are used in parallel. Table 1.2 shows a customary classification of the frequency range from 3 Hz to 300 GHz into eight frequency decades according to the recommendation of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) [4].

Table 1.2 Frequency denomination according to ITU

Frequency range	Denomination
3 … 30 kHz	VLF - Very Low Frequency
30 … 300 kHz	LF - Low Frequency
300 kHz … 3 MHz	MF - Medium Frequency
3 … 30 MHz	HF - High Frequency
30 … 300 MHz	VHF - Very High Frequency
300 MHz … 3 GHz	UHF - Ultra High Frequency
3 … 30 GHz	SHF - Super High Frequency
30 … 300 GHz	EHF - Extremely High Frequency

Figure 1.2a shows a commonly used designation of different frequency bands according to IEEE-...