Wireless Technology Training Courses > RF and Wireless Made Simple Curriculum

RF and Wireless Made Simple Curriculum

RF and Wireless Made Simple topics include the integral relationship of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, basic wave theory, and power calculations for RF and wireless technology. Impedance, resistance, reactance, and mismatch are defined. The names and functions of RF system components are discussed and a description of how they interact to generate and process signals is provided.

This web-based course explains the basic principles of signal processing and multiple access techniques in wireless telecommunications. Propagation of electromagnetic waves is introduced and a comparison of the specifications of commercial wireless systems is provided. The course concludes with a discussion on the future of wireless technology and its applications.

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The course has 8 modules. Course price includes all 8 modules.

How to purchase. You can start this web-based course today!

You may want to check out the multi-user course license solutions we offer to corporations and universities that need to train 100 or more people.

Detailed Course Outline

Module 1: Key Concepts

Module Introduction.
Describe the electromagnetic spectrum.
Describe the principle characteristics of electromagnetic waves.
Define amplitude.
Define frequency.
Identify and use multiple and fractional units of measure.
Define wavelength.
Describe phase and how it is measured.
Describe bandwidth and how it affects capacity.
Describe how RF power is measured.
Demonstrate how to convert numbers to dB.

Module 2: Factors Affecting RF System Design

Module Introduction.
Explain why wires and printed circuit boards require special consideration when used at RF frequencies.
Explain how RF signals may be transmitted from part to part with the RF system.
Describe the construction of a waveguide and its applications.
Describe the construction of coaxial cable and its applications.
Describe the construction of a microstrip circuit and its applications.
Describe the limitations of low-cost dielectrics in an RF system.
Explain why impedance matching is an important design consideration.
Describe percent reflected power.
Describe Return Loss.
Describe the reflection coefficient.
Describe standing wave ratio.
Describe the Smith Chart.
Describe how to eliminate mismatches.

Module 3: Elements of the RF System

Module Introduction.
Illustrate the signal flow through the transmitter portion of an RF system.
List the function and properties of the oscillator.
List the function and properties of the attenuator.
List the function and properties of the modulator.
Describe the function of an upconverter.
Describe the function of a power amplifier.
Describe the two common types of power amplifiers used in RF.
Describe the performance characteristics of a power amplifier.
Describe the function and properties of a directional coupler.
State the functions of a detector.
Describe the function and types of duplexers.
Describe an RF antenna.
Illustrate the signal flow through the receiver portion of an RF system.
Describe the function and types of filters.
Describe the function and performance requirements of the low noise amplifier.
Describe the function of a mixer.
Describe the function of a demodulator.
State the advantage of using RF and microwave integrated circuits.

Module 4: Signal Processing

Module Introduction.
State the two forms that information can take when represented electronically.
State the properties of analog signals.
State the properties of digital signals.
Describe how analog signals are converted to digital signals.
State Nyquist's Theorem.
Describe why a higher sampling rate improves the accuracy of a reconstructed signal.
Define quantization error.
Describe how quantization error affects quantization noise.
Define bit error rate.
Describe error detection.
Define modulation techniques.
Define speech coders.
State the types of speech coders commonly used in voice communication.

Module 5: Access Methods

Module Introduction.
Describe the fundamental properties of cellular mobile telephone architecture.
Explain how cellular architecture increases system capacity.
Explain how cellular architecture provides improved mobility.
Explain how and why cells are sectored.
Explain why multiple-access techniques are used.
Describe the basic principles of Frequency Divisions Multiple Access (FDMA).
Describe the basic principles of Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA).
List the advantages of TDMA.
Describe an RF antenna.
Describe the function and performance requirements of the low noise amplifier.
List the advantages of CDMA.
Describe RF and microwave integrated circuits.

Module 6: Signal Propagation

Module Introduction.
State the requirement of information to be sent via wireless communications.
State the properties of a transmitting antenna.
Define isotropic antenna.
Describe antenna gain.
Define antenna pattern and beamwidth.
Define main lobe, side lobe and back lobe.
State the function of an antenna relevant to the impedance of the transmission line and free space.
Define polarization.
Define EIRP.
State the key property of a receiving antenna.
State the relationship between gain and receiving area.
State four types of RF antennas.
Describe a dipole antenna.
State the typical uses of half-wave dipoles.
Describe the properties of a colinear array.
Describe the properties of a parabolic dish antenna.
Describe the properties of a flat panel array.
Describe propagation.
Describe free space path loss.
Describe reflection loss.
Define multipath fading.
Describe how multipath fading can be reduced.
State the considerations for calculating path loss.

Module 7: Wireless Communication Systems

Module Introduction.
State the major RF wireless communications systems.
State the design considerations of a cellular phone.
State the performance features important to the end user and service provider.
Describe the technical aspects of voice quality.
State the technical aspects of voice channel capacity.
State the technical aspects of mobile size and battery life.
Describe the technical aspects of multiple access on infrastucture.
State the design specifications of the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS).
Describe the Digitally Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (DAMPS).
Describe the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).
Describe the Code Division Multiple Access system.
Describe the PCS auction process.
State the impact on PCS service providers of selecting GSM over CDMA.
Describe the Personal Communication System (PCS).
State the need for multi-mode mobile units.
Describe the evolution of mobile satellite communication systems.
Describe the Iridium, Odyssey and Globalstar systems.
Describe the options available for wireless LANs.
Describe the paging systems.
Describe the Global Position System (GPS).

Module 8: The Future of Wireless

Module Introduction.
Describe the S-curve and how it can be used to map the evolution of telecommunications technology.
Describe the role of the PSTN in the future of the telecommunications industry.
Describe picocells.
Describe the alternatives to installing and maintaining a wire-based infrastructure.
Describe wireless local loop.
Describe the dawning of the completely mobile wireless network.
Summary

Target Audience

RF and Wireless Made Simple is intended for engineers, technologists and technicians with little or no previous experience in the RF and wireless field. Marketing, sales, instructors, and all other non-technical persons working with the RF and wireless industry will benefit from the course.

Course Prerequisites

There is no prerequisite for this course.

Average Curriculum Length

8.0 hours

Testing

Includes both pre-testing and post testing.

Online Content Index

Available

Begin Course

After your order is processed by the course administrator, you will receive an email which will contain your username, password and detailed information on how to begin your web-based course. You will be able to start the course(s) you have selected the same day you place your order.

Certificate of Completion

Certificate of Completion will be supplied upon request after you have completed the online course.

Authors and Subject Matter Experts

The subject matter expertise was provided by Mr. Al Scott, Dr. Les Besser and Mr. Rick Fornes of Besser Associates. Since 1985, Besser Associates has been delivering live and alternative media training to professionals working with RF, wireless, digital and networking technologies. Instruction provided by Besser Associates combines theory with hands-on practice, the latest tools and technology, and the most appropriate training media for individualized, meaningful participant experiences. To date, Besser Associates has trained over 25,000 people in these industries.

System Requirements

High speed Internet Connection (DSL, cable, ISDN 128)
Browser: Explorer 4.01 Service Pack 2 (or greater), or Netscape 4.7 (or greater). Explorer 5 is recommended
Flash 4 or greater plug-in
16 bit colour, 800 x 600 resolution (minimum requirement)
Audio card (optional)
200 megahertz minimum, 300 megahertz recommended
32 RAM minimum, 64 RAM recommended
50 mb of available disk cache space

Refund Policy

If this material does not meet your expectations as outlined in the course description, you have 3 working days from the date of registration to obtain a 100% refund of the course fee. Please contact us if you have any further questions regarding this guarantee.

Multi-User Online Course License

As a solution for large volume users of this course we offer several plans that may be of interest to you. These solutions are designed for corporations and universities. A minimum number of students is required to make these solutions cost effective.

Sub-Domain:

Making access and use of courses fast and easy is paramount. By having us setup a sub-domain it makes it very easy to get your training program underway. When a company needs to train 100 or more people for a curriculum we offer to setup a sub-domain on our server at no extra charge. The advantages to this offer are numerous. We do the work and will even setup the student files so the student simply logs onto the Internet, uses an assigned UserID and Password and has the content available for learning or reference use right at their fingertips. Students may log in and out whenever they want. Access is based on a term, with 1 year the norm. Each student file is kept confidential.

Another key advantage is with the sub-domain we make available to the client the ability to edit the courses they have licensed. They may opt to remove certain content or add new content themselves from their computer as html, pdf, or swf files. The edit course software is fast and easy to use with no programming skills required. By customizing the course the content can be made to fit your company's exact needs. If you need an extra hand we are available to assist.

Corporate Server:

The fastest access of content is over a corporate Intranet. It also could be you would like to add content that you feel is proprietary and want the highest level of security possible, then licensing courses and software to run on your corporate server makes a lot of sense. Each course may be licensed or purchased, as well we offer licenses for our edit course feature within our TechEdge Web-Based engine for corporate users to edit licensed courses and to develop new ones yourself using programs like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Flash. It is simple, fast and easy.

Here's the typical server requirement for a 50 concurrent user hosted connection:

NT 4/2000 Server
500mhz p2/p3/amd athlon
256 RAM (512 recommended)
IIS, PWS or compatable web server software
SQL or Access 2000 ODBC compliant database driver
Coldfusion Aplication Server 4.0 or higher [ click here ] for more info on coldfusion

Course Development:

There are many who would like to put content up on the Internet or on Corporate Intranets but either do not have the knowledge or the time to do it. To help we can offer onsite training, tools, and experience on how to do it in conjunction with licensing our software and courses. If you have a need for a course to be developed we also have that capability, demonstrated by the quality of the courses you see we offer, which are all made by our staff.

More Information:

If you are interested in any of the above multi-user solutions for this course, please contact us for more information and a quotation. You will be pleasantly surprised at how affordable these multi-user solutions really are!