Training Course

Fundamentals of Radio: Analysis, Design and Propagation

  • 604
  • £2,895 +VAT
  • 4 days

Why this Radio Frequency course?

This intense hands-on practical Radio Frequency fundamentals course provides attendees with an in-depth understanding of the technical aspects RF system design, analysis and deployment. Technologies used for Line-of-Sight (LoS) and Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS) radio, from HF to EHF, are considered. Throughout this course, attendees will:

  • Gain a truly in-depth knowledge of Radio Frequency communications fundamentals.
  • Learn and understand many of the acronyms and the terminology used in RF.
  • Work with multiple calculation exercises – to model and predict the behaviour of RF links.
  • Work with extensive hands-on exercises and simulations using sophisticated spreadsheets.

Each module of this course builds upon the previous modules, enhancing the attendee’s understanding of the topic areas.

The course focuses on the following knowledge areas:

Area 1: RF Engineering, Propagation and Antennas
Area 2: Wireless Access Technologies
Area 7: Fundamental Knowledge

Radio Frequency Training Course Objectives

On completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify different E-M propagation modes based on frequency
  • Define the relationship between bandwidth and Baud rate
  • Use decibels for gains, losses and power levels
  • Describe the various components of a radio and their functions
  • Describe various amplifier types and impairments
  • Quantify the relationship between noise and bandwidth
  • Determine the bit rate of a channel based on bandwidth, modulation scheme and FEC overhead
  • Describe multiple access using FDMA, TDMA, CDMA and OFDMA
  • Determine Near-field and Far-field regions of an antenna
  • Compare VSWR, Return Loss, Reflected Power and Mismatch Loss
  • Describe multiple antenna systems: MIMO and Adaptive Arrays
  • Perform a cascade analysis for both terrestrial and satellite systems
  • Perform link budgets for both Line-of-Sight and Non-Line-of Sight links
  • Determine LoS distance based on the radio horizon
  • Perform a path loss analysis using a simple physical model
  • Describe how Delay Spread and Doppler Spread effect small scale fading
  • Perform a path loss analysis for a NLoS environment.

Who should attend this Radio Frequency course

  • All technical professionals who work with Radio Frequency systems. Even those with several years experience may benefit from attending this comprehensive, in-depth course.

Radio Frequency Course Pre-requisites

Delegates will ideally have some existing experience in Radio Frequency communications or wireless communications systems prior to attending this course.

Practical Exercises

Wavelength/Frequency conversion
Using decibels, powers levels, gains and adding ratios
Amplifier back-off vs. efficiency
Determining the thermal noise seen by an antenna
Receiver noise contribution – Noise Figure
Determining the bit rate of a channel
Determining theoretical symbol error rate
OFDM and Orthogonality
CDMA and Processing gain
Determining aperture antenna gain
Antenna pattern evaluation – beam-width and front-to-back ratio
Determining antenna reactive and radiative near fields
Converting between VSWR and reflection coefficient
Comparing % reflected power and return loss measurements
Phase combining simulation
Performing a simple RF power budget
Converting gain and NF dB to linear ratios
Performing Cascade analysis of a terrestrial receive system
Converting NF dB to Noise Temperature
Performing Cascade analysis of a satellite receive system
Performing LoS link budget using manufacturers equipment specifications
Determine LoS and NLoS margin based on service objectives
Determining LoS radio horizon
Determining Fresnel zone clearance
Performing a Free-space path loss analysis
Determining link reliability based on rain fade margin
Estimating diffraction gain for obstacle in radio path
Determining the Coherence Bandwidth for a given environment
Estimating the RMS Delay Spread of an open area
Determining the Coherence time for a given Doppler spread
Estimating NLoS path loss using the Log Distance formula
Comparing expected loss for several models in a given environment

Lifetime Post-Course Support

After completing this Radio Frequency training course, delegates receive lifetime post-training support from LEVER Technology Group, to help them apply the technologies and skills they have learned with us, to provide career-long support, and to ensure they are better equipped for their future roles in IT and networking.

Radio Frequency Training Course Content

Introduction to Wireless Technologies

  • A Brief History of Wireless Communications
  • The Continuing Evolution of Wireless Technologies
  • Overview of Modern Wireless Technologies
  • Fundamental Cellular Radio Concepts

Radio Wave Characteristics

  • The Electro-Magnetic Spectrum
  • Propagation Modes of Radio Waves
  • Radio Spectrum: Licensed and License Exempt
  • ITU-R, CEPT and ETSI standards for modern radio networks
  • Ofcom, EU and FCC regulations
  • Spectrum management
  • Channel plans and frequency assignment

Fundamental Radio Concepts

  • Basics of Information Transfer for Radio
  • Working with Decibels, Gains, Losses, Power Levels
  • Basic Radio Components
  • Wireless Impairments: Internal Noise and Distortion

Digital Modulation and Error Correction Techniques

  • Basic Analogue and Digital Modulation
  • Processing for Digital Modulation
  • Getting more Bits per Baud
  • Error Correction Techniques

Physical Layers and Multiple access Techniques

  • Basic Access Techniques
  • OFDM and OFDMA
  • Spread Spectrum and CDMA

Basics of Antennas and Antenna Systems

  • E-M Field Radiation: Intentional and Unintentional
  • Basic Antenna Types and Uses
  • Basic Antenna Characteristics
  • Antenna Field Regions
  • Care and Feeding of Antennas
  • Antenna Diversity Techniques
  • Advanced Antenna Systems

Link Budget Analysis Techniques

  • Noise and Noise Sources
  • Link Budget Considerations
  • Budgeting the Radio Link
  • Determining System Reliability and Availability

Line-of-Sight Radio Propagation

  • Defining Line-of-Sight
  • Line-of-Sight Path Loss Analysis
  • Refraction and k-factor analysis
  • Reflection and diffraction
  • Terrain and Path profiling
  • Fresnel Zone clearance
  • Power budgets
  • Rain and Multipath/Dispersive fade margins
  • Dimensioning space and frequency diversity
  • Interference management
  • Hands-on: Link Planning exercises
  • Hands-on: Design of a fixed link transmission network

Near- and Non-Line-of-Sight Propagation Environments

  • Non-Line-of-Sight Propagation Mechanisms
  • Impairments due to Time Dispersal
  • Modeling Propagation Loss in a NLoS Environment
Repair, Installation, Training & Support

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