Integrated Circuits for RF/Wireless Applications

In this course, you will learn to understand and design the circuit blocks of wireless systems. You can design and analyze circuits/ICs for wireless systems when completed. To do so, fundamental knowledge of RF/microwave design is required. To achieve such an insight, we discuss; optimum bias, device scaling, circuit configurations, and harmonic matching techniques for active devices (BJTs en FETS) operating at high frequencies to reach optimum gain, noise, linearity, and efficiency.

The outline of the course is as follows;

- Design of RF/microwave amplifiers, stability, gain, and impedance matching (HW1a)

- Design of RF/microwave hybrids and transmission line-based passives, as well as on-chip (high Q) passive components; capacitors, varactors, inductors, transformers, and transmission lines (HW1b)

- LNA design for simultaneous noise en impedance matching and LNA noise 'cancellation' techniques (HW2).

- Analysis and design techniques for circuit linearity enhancements (HW3)

- RF mixer design for linearity

- Design of energy-efficient en wideband power amplifiers en transmitters (HW4).

A detailed course description addressing all topics covered in this lecture series can be found on Brightspace. Note that this EE4605, 'Integrated Circuits for RF/Wireless Applications' course is part of the RF/wireless track and is preceded by EE4C13, Wireless Systems for Electrical Engineering Applications, which discusses wireless applications at the system level. This course (EE4605) can be followed up by ET4371 (strongly recommended), Advanced Digital Wireless transceivers, which addresses the latest trends in RF/wireless design which aim to fully utilize the high integration and signal processing strengths of advanced CMOS.

Background reading for the various topics can be found in the recommended books given in the Literature and Study Materials section.

This course will have three to four homework (to be handed in) that address the design of the various circuit blocks (RF amplifier en microwave passives, LNA, mixer, PA/transmitter) and their sub-components. For this homework, use will be made of Keysight's ADS Advanced Design System and Cadence. Aspects of packaging, CAD, and RF testing relevant to wireless / mm-wave design are also emphasized.

Examination and grading: Your overall grade will be based on your performance in the homework and a written exam.