RFIC Design

RF technology is becoming more important as we are increasingly engaging with wireless devices in our daily lives. RF transceivers are one of the most important and essential part of mobile phones, WiFi routers, Bluetooth devices, radios and televisions. Alongside with these, the wireless communication infrastructure is continuing expanding.
 
RFIC is one of the core blocks in the above technologies. This development and expansion needs RFIC design experts in the wireless communication technology.
 
This RFIC Design course teaches the principals of RFIC design techniques to address this need.

The goal of this course is to teach the RFIC design principals, tools, knowledge of the technologies, topologies and concepts and designing of various blocks. The course will include low noise amplifiers, mixer structures, current sources and thermal management of RFICs.

Course Highlights:

• Introduction and Review
• Technology, Bipolar, CMOS
• Noise, Noise Figure Calculations
• Low Noise Amplifier Design
• Differential Circuits, Non-linearity
• Mixer Design, Class of Operation
• Power Amplifiers,
• Passive On-Chip Components
• Layout, Thermal Management, Packaging
• Current Mirrors, Bandgaps

Course Benefits:

• Differentiate the Technologies for RFIC
• Identify the Design Constraints and Remedies for some RFIC Design
• Know RFIC Design Topologies, Techniques
• Design Amplifiers, Mixers and Bias Sources

Course typically offered: Online, Fall quarter.

Prerequisites: RF Principles and Applications (EE-40137) or familiarity with the electronics circuit analysis.

Software: Free online simulators are used in this class. You may use the commerical RFIC design packages should you already have access to it.

Next Steps: Upon completion of this course, consider taking RF Circuit Design, RF System Design for Wireless Communications, or courses in the RF Engineering Certificate

More Information: Contact infotech@ucsd.edu to learn more about RF Engineering and course offerings.