Introduction to Rf Equipment and System Design

Pekka Eskelinen9781580536653, 1-58053-665-4

An excellent resource for engineers and engineering students alike, this practical design guide offers you a comprehensive overview of the most important aspects and components of radio frequency equipment and systems. The book applies theoretical fundamentals to real-world issues, extensively using examples from recent design projects. You learn how to configure an effective receiver and transmitter architectures from commercial blocks, determine the most efficient ways of circumventing wave propagation problems in a real network, assemble a reliable test environment for an RF project, and make a design survive in the real operating environment.Moreover, this handy reference shows you how to design a small instrumentation radar system and an airborne telemetry system. Other key discussions include circuits and components for system evaluations and design, RF measurement instrumentation, antennas and associated hardware, and guidelines for purchasing test equipment. The book also serves as a valuable on-the-job training resource for sales engineers and a graduate-level text for courses in this area.

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Table of contents :
Cover……Page 1
Contents……Page 8
Preface……Page 12
Acknowledgments……Page 14
1.1 Definitions……Page 16
1.2 What the Reader Should Already Know……Page 18
1.3 Style of Approach……Page 20
1.5 The Spirit of System Design……Page 22
1.6 Reliability and Availability……Page 24
1.7 Effects of User Profile……Page 25
1.8 Project Working……Page 26
References……Page 27
2.1 Standardization and Regulations……Page 30
2.2 Frequency……Page 31
2.3 Power……Page 37
2.4 NF……Page 39
2.5 RF Transmission Lines……Page 40
2.6 Geographical Topology……Page 43
2.7 Modulation……Page 44
2.8 Effects of the Baseband Signal……Page 46
2.9 Signal Processing……Page 47
2.10 Nonelectrical Factors……Page 48
References……Page 51
CHAPTER 3 Systems Problems Involving Wave-Propagation Mechanisms……Page 52
3.1 Propagation Models in Brief with Reference to System Design……Page 53
3.2.1 Attenuation……Page 57
3.2.2 Scattering……Page 61
3.2.3 Multipath Problems……Page 63
3.3.1 Unexpected Ionospheric Disturbances at HFs……Page 66
3.3.2 Interference Problems in Microwave Links……Page 69
3.3.3 Reception of Weak Geostationary Satellite Signals……Page 74
References……Page 75
4.1 Standard or Custom Design?……Page 78
4.2.1 Terminations……Page 79
4.2.2 Attenuators……Page 80
4.2.4 Filters……Page 81
4.2.5 Directional Couplers……Page 85
4.3 Active Modules……Page 86
4.3.1 Detectors……Page 87
4.3.2 Switches……Page 89
4.3.3 Mixers……Page 91
4.3.4 Amplifiers……Page 94
4.3.5 Oscillators……Page 98
4.3.6 Modulators and Demodulators……Page 102
4.3.8 Power Supplies……Page 105
4.4 Mechanics……Page 106
4.5 Purchasing Modules for Equipment Development……Page 108
References……Page 109
CHAPTER 5 Antennas and Associated Hardware……Page 112
5.1 Antenna Selection Criteria……Page 113
5.2 Some Antenna Types……Page 118
5.2.1 Individual Antenna Elements……Page 119
5.2.2 Antenna Arrays……Page 128
5.2.3 Vehicle-Mounted Arrays……Page 143
5.3.1 Antenna Mounting on Test Vehicles……Page 149
5.3.2 A Tracking System for a 3-m Reflector Antenna……Page 152
5.4 RF Transmission Lines……Page 155
5.4.1 Coaxial Cables……Page 156
5.4.2 Waveguides……Page 161
5.5 Connectors……Page 162
5.5.2 Fundamental Construction……Page 163
5.5.3 Common RF Connector Types for Mechanical Modules……Page 164
5.5.4 Connectors as Components in Milled or Sheet Assemblies……Page 167
5.6 Rotary Joints and Flexible Waveguides……Page 168
5.6.1 Rotary Joints……Page 169
5.6.2 Flexible Waveguides……Page 170
References……Page 172
CHAPTER 6 TXs, RXs, and Transceivers……Page 174
6.1 Requirements for TX……Page 175
6.2 Block Diagram……Page 181
6.3 Choosing the Building Blocks……Page 183
6.4 Requirements for RXs……Page 185
6.5 Block Diagram……Page 189
6.6 Choosing the Building Blocks……Page 191
6.7 Selecting an RX for the System……Page 194
6.8 Transceiver Specialties……Page 195
6.9.1 Satellite System Ground Beacon……Page 198
6.9.2 Material Analysis with Millimeter Waves……Page 203
6.9.3 Mobile Millimeter-Wave Radar……Page 208
6.9.4 Microwave Telemetry System……Page 213
6.9.5 UHF Time and Frequency Reference……Page 218
References……Page 227
7.1 Defining a Test Setup……Page 230
7.2 Typical Test Instruments for Systems……Page 232
7.3 Ready-Made or Tailored……Page 233
7.4 About Computer Control……Page 234
7.5 Examples……Page 235
7.5.1 Estimating VHF Ground Conductivity……Page 236
7.5.2 High-Power HF VNA……Page 240
7.5.3 Pattern and Impedance Measurements of Compact Antennas……Page 241
7.5.4 Test Instrumentation for Air Navigation Facilities……Page 244
References……Page 256
List of Acronyms……Page 258
List of Symbols……Page 264
About the Author……Page 268
Index……Page 270