Electronics for Telecommunications systems

Module Mod. Electronics for Telecommunications

Objectives

The course covers the architectural and circuit-level solutions adopted in radio-frequency (RF) and millimeter-wave (mm-wave) front-ends for wireless systems, including communications, radar, and sensing applications, implemented using modern VLSI integration technologies (e.g., CMOS and BiCMOS). The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the most relevant RF/mm-wave front-end architectures, as well as the fundamental design techniques for signal processing, with particular emphasis on the critical and distinctive challenges associated with high-frequency operation, high gain, low noise, high linearity, and the constraints imposed by chip area and fabrication cost.

In addition, the course will address the main characteristics of the different semiconductor technologies adopted for RF and mm-wave integrated circuit design.

The course will also include practical content on the use of CAD software tools for the RF design of selected fundamental building blocks and/or integrated passive components.

Knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course, students will be able to understand and apply:

• the architecture and operation of a typical wireless data communication transceiver, as well as transceivers for radar and imaging applications;
• the design techniques employed in the main RF/mm-wave transceiver building blocks;
• the design methodologies for integrated inductive components;
• layout strategies for RF/mm-wave integrated circuits;
• methodologies for the evaluation and extraction of RLC parasitic effects;
• the principal measurement instruments and characterization techniques for RF/mm-wave circuits and systems.

Applying knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the design skills required for the development of the main RF signal-processing building blocks, including low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), mixers, oscillators, phase-locked loops (PLLs), and related circuits, as well as integrated inductive components, through the study of their implementation techniques and associated design equations. Furthermore, students will be able to design selected RF/mm-wave circuits and components using both circuit-level and electromagnetic CAD tools, applying industry-standard methodologies for simulation, analysis, and optimization.

Making judgements

By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyze the performance of the fundamental building blocks of an RF transceiver and make informed design decisions by identifying and selecting the most suitable implementation solutions according to system specifications and performance requirements. Students will also be capable of evaluating the trade-offs among key design metrics, such as gain, noise figure, linearity, power consumption, bandwidth, integration area, and operating frequency, in order to optimize RF/mm-wave circuit performance.

Communication skills

By the end of the course, students will have developed effective communication skills in the field of RF and mm-wave technologies, components, circuits, and systems. They will be able to clearly and professionally communicate design methodologies, implementation strategies, and the associated technical challenges within both scientific and industrial environments.

Furthermore, students will have acquired the technical vocabulary and discipline-specific terminology required to discuss, present, and document RF/mm-wave engineering concepts, design activities, and measurement results with clarity and precision.

Learning skills

By the end of the course, students will have developed the ability to further investigate the topics covered during the course independently. They will be capable of critically analyzing and understanding scientific and technical literature in the fields of wireless architectures, RF/mm-wave circuits, and RF components.

Furthermore, students will be able to keep abreast of emerging developments in RF and millimeter-wave integrated circuit design, drawing on the knowledge and methodologies acquired throughout the course.

The course consists of 49 hours of lectures (corresponding to 7 ECTS credits) and 30 hours of tutorials/laboratory sessions (corresponding to 2 ECTS credits), including CAD-based simulation activities. These practical sessions are designed to reinforce the theoretical concepts presented during the course and to provide hands-on experience with the analysis and design techniques discussed in class.

Lectures will be delivered using presentation slides projected during class. The slides will be made available to students prior to each lecture through the learning platforms officially adopted by the degree program, thereby facilitating class attendance and supporting effective note-taking and study.

The course is structured into three main parts:

• Part I: Introduction to RF/mm-wave wireless system architectures and front-end topologies.
• Part II: Analysis and design of the main RF circuit building blocks.
• Part III: CAD-based design exercises and simulation activities focused on RF/mm-wave circuits and integrated passive components.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

Essential Knowledge

• Fundamental analog and digital electronics, including amplification stages, differential amplifiers, current mirrors, biasing circuits, and combinational and sequential logic circuits.
• Feedback theory and frequency stability analysis.
• Fourier and Laplace transforms.
• Frequency response analysis and Bode plots.

Important Knowledge

• Noise theory and noise analysis.
• Analog and digital modulation techniques.
• Filter theory and design.

Useful Knowledge

• Electromagnetic theory.
• Basic circuit CAD design and simulation tools.
• Fundamental knowledge of VLSI technologies.

Attendance is not mandatory for this course. However, regular attendance is strongly recommended due to the highly specialized and advanced nature of the topics covered.

Part 1: Course Introduction (1 hour)

[Lectures: 1 hour – Lab and exercise sessions: 0 hours]

• Course objectives
• Examination procedures
• Course materials

Part 2: Wireless Communication Systems (2 hours)

[Lectures: 2 hours – Lab and exercise sessions: 0 hours]

• Radio front-ends
• Analog baseband front-ends
• Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
• Analog front-ends for sensors and transducers

Part 3: Performance Parameters of RF/mm-Wave Front-Ends (3 hours)

[Lectures: 2 hours – Lab and exercise sessions: 1 hour]

• Sensitivity
• Operating frequency
• Voltage and power gain
• Noise figure and phase noise
• Linearity metrics
• Efficiency

Part 4: Transistor noise (2 hours)

[Lectures: 2 hours – Lab and exercise sessions: 0 hours]

• Noise sources in MOSFETs and BJTs
• Noise voltages and currents
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and noise figure

Part 5: Impedance Transformation and Matching (3 hours)

[Lectures: 2 hours – Lab and exercise sessions: 1 hour]

• The impedance transformation problem
• Reactive matching networks
• Matching network performance parameters

Part 6: Fundamental RF/mm-Wave Signal Processing Building Blocks (28 hours)

[Lectures: 23 hours – Lab and exercise sessions: 5 hours]

• Low-Noise Amplifiers (LNAs)
• Single-balanced and quadrature mixers
• Image-reject mixers
• Variable-Gain Amplifiers (VGAs)
• Intermediate-Frequency (IF) amplifiers
• Phase-shifting networks
• Power amplifiers (PAs)

Part 7: Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) (10 hours)

[Lectures: 6 hours – Lab and exercise sessions: 4 hours]

• Performance parameters: operating frequency, tuning range, phase noise, spurious rejection, and stability
• PLL building blocks: reference oscillator, phase/frequency detector (PFD), charge pump, loop filter, voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), and frequency divider
• PLL applications in RF transceivers

Part 8: RF/mm-Wave Front-End Architectures (7 hours)

[Lectures: 6 hours – Lab and exercise sessions: 1 hour]

• Superheterodyne architectures
• Homodyne (direct-conversion) architectures
• Low-IF architectures
• Sliding-IF architectures
• Radar system architectures

Part 9: Integrated Reactive Passive Components (6 hours)

[Lectures: 3 hours – Lab and exercise sessions: 3 hours]

• Introduction to passive component applications, silicon implementation, self-resonance, losses, quality factor, and basic design principles of integrated inductors and transformers
• Resonant load implementation and associated advantages

Part 10: RF Technology BEOL and RF Circuit Layout (3 hours)

[Lectures: 2 hours – Lab and exercise sessions: 1 hour]

• Characteristics of metal interconnect layers (materials and thicknesses)
• Distributed models of interconnects
• Key layout guidelines for RF integrated circuits

Part 11: 2D Electromagnetic Simulators (5 hours)

[Lectures: 0 hours – Lab and exercise sessions: 5 hours]

• Introduction to the Momentum 2D electromagnetic (EM) simulator by Keysight Technologies
• EM simulation of integrated inductive components

Part 12: Design and Simulation of Fundamental RF Building Blocks (9 hours)

[Lectures: 0 hours – Lab and exercise sessions: 9 hours]

• Circuit design and simulation of a Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA)
• Circuit design and simulation of a mixer
• Circuit design and simulation of a Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO)

 Contribution of the course to the Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The topics covered in the course and the acquired knowledge are directly or indirectly aimed at the development of sustainable technological solutions, as well as contributing to a high-quality education, in accordance with Goals 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. B. Razavi, “RF Microelectronics”, Ed. Theodore S. R., Prentice Hall
2. Frank Ellinger, “Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits and Technologies”. Ed. Springer
3. A. Scuderi, E. Ragonese, T. Biondi, G. Palmisano, "Integrated inductors and transformers: characterization, design and modeling for RF and mm-wave applications," CRC Press - Taylor & Francis Group, Nov. 2010.
4. S. Saponara, M. Greco, E. Ragonese, G. Palmisano, B. Neri, "Highly integrated low power radars," Artech House, (ISBN: 9781608076659), June 2014.
5. Slides 

Learning outcomes are assessed through an oral examination. The oral exam generally consists of three questions, each focused on a different topic covered during the course. Students are expected to demonstrate an adequate understanding of the subject matter, mastery of the concepts discussed throughout the course, and clarity of presentation.

During the oral examination, students may also be asked to outline the solution of a numerical design problem related to the design of an electronic circuit. The average duration of the oral examination is approximately 40 minutes.

If required by specific circumstances, the assessment may also be conducted through online/remote examination procedures.

The oral examination will be evaluated based on:

• the correctness and relevance of the topics discussed;
• the appropriate use of technical terminology;
• the depth of understanding demonstrated;
• the ability to formulate and justify the correct solution to the proposed design problems.

The final grade will also take into account the student's participation throughout the course, including class attendance and completion of assigned exercises, while giving greater weight to the performance in the oral examination.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

●        Describe the homodyne (direct-conversion) receiver, highlighting its main advantages and limitations

●        Draw and discuss the architecture of a superheterodyne RF front-end

●        Draw and discuss the architecture of a radar system

●        Draw the schematic of a Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) and discuss its main design equations.

●        Draw the schematic of a mixer and discuss its design equations

●        Draw and discuss the architecture of a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL)

●        Draw and discuss the architecture of a Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO), including its main design equations

●        Discuss lossless impedance transformation and matching networks

●        Describe the principal performance parameters of an RF front-end, including gain, noise figure, linearity, sensitivity, operating frequency, and efficiency

●        Discuss the main characteristics, advantages, and limitations of integrated passive components, with particular emphasis on inductors and transformers used in RF/mm-wave integrated circuits