Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	RF Propagation and Radio Link Design
Module Code	EE308
School	School of Electronic Engineering
Online Module Resources
Module Teacher	Pascal Landais
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

INACTIVE - The overall aim is to build on the basic electromagnetic theory modules an applied manner to study RF systems, drawing on aspects of signal theory, system design and modulation techniques.In particular, the course objectives are:To understand how radio waves propagate between antennas and the principal design techniques employed to accommodate non ideal propagation.To understand the operation of modern transceiver systems and to be able to analyse and design such systems.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and analyse the purpose and the function of structural elements in radio frequency (RF) links.
2. Construct RF systems, i.e. emitter, antennas and measurement tools.
3. Assess the performance of a line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight RF links.
4. Be capable of solving RF link problems.
5. Design and evaluate the performance of receiver, transmitter, transceiver systems and RF link.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	No Description
Laboratory	16	No Description
Independent learning	85	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Antenna Theory.
Gain and radiation patterns of aperture antennas and wire antennas; Isotropic radiation; design and analysis of waveguide horns, parabolic reflectors, dipoles, monopoles and Yagi-Uda arrays..

Types of Propagation Modes and Radio Links.
Line of sight radio links; over the horizon radio links; basic principles of satellite communications..

Radio Propagation.
Atmospheric effects; beam curvature; refraction; diffraction effects; ground reflection; fading..

Line of Sight Radio Links.
Initial planning and site selection; path profiles; path analysis; receiver thermal noise; IF bandwidth; C/N ratios; fading effects; fade margins; modulation techniques; multiple access methods..

Urban Propagation for Mobile Systems.
Multipath and diffraction issues; introduction to GSM and DECT standards.

Radio Terminal Design.
Basic terminal; noise figure; noise bandwidth, elements of super-heterodyne receivers and up-conversion transmitters; duplexing; diversity; hot standby; repeaters.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	20%	Examination Weight	80%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Laboratory	Individual lab report for each lab's session	20%	Other

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

Freeman, R.L.: 0, Radio System Design for Telecommunications, Wiley,
Rappaport, T.S: 0, Wireless Communications, Prentice Hall,
Doble, J.: 0, Mobile Radio Communications", Steele, S., Pentech Press, 1992. "Introduction to Radio Propagation for Fixed and Mobile Communications, Artech House,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

ECSA

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)

ECSAO

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)