Part I

Elements of Digital Communications

System

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Objectives:

Study the general architecture of digital communications system

Identify the functions of each element of communications system

Discuss different types of communication channels

Discuss the frequency spectrum allocation

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Elements of Digital Communications System

Input
Signal

A/D

Source
Encoder

Channel
Encoder

Digital
Modulator

Channel

Output
Signal

D /A

Source
Decoder

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

Channel
Decoder

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Digital
Demodulator

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A/D
Convert analog signal to digital format
A / D conversion is achieved by using
the following three operations:

a) Sampling
b) Quantization
c) Encoding

a) Sampling

0 ------- 000
1 ------- 001
2 ------- 010
3 ------- 011
4 ------- 100
5 ------- 101
6 ------- 110
7 ------- 111

b) Quantization

c) Encoding
Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Source Encoding or Data Compression

The purpose of source encoder is to remove any redundancy in

digital bits to minimize bandwidth requirements.

It is also called Data Compression

Data compression algorithms can be classified into two categories:

Lossless compression
Lossy compression

Lossless compression algorithms usually exploit statistical redundancy

in such a way as to represent the sender's data more concisely
without error.

Lossy data compression or perceptual coding, is possible if some loss

of fidelity is acceptable.
Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Channel Encoding or Forward Error

Correction (FEC)

The operation of the channel encoder is the inverse of the source

encoder

The main operation is to add redundancy in such a way that the

system will be capable to detect and correct errors

It is also called Forward Error Correction (FEC)

The FEC can be classified into three categories:

a) Repetition Coding
b) Block Coding
c) Convolutional Coding
d) Turbo Coding
Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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COMP 1160

Modulator
Modulation is the process of converting the transmitted signal from
base band frequency to RF frequency.
The modulation techniques can be classified into two categories:

1. Analog Modulation
2. Digital Modulation

Analog modulation can be classified into three categories:

1. AM
2. FM
3. PM

Digital modulation can be classified into following categories:

1.
2.
3.
4.

ASK
FSK
PSK
QAM

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Communication Channels

Wireline Channels
Twisted-pair of wire lines (telephone lines)
Coaxial cable

Fiber Optic Channels

Wireless Electromagnetic Channels

Underwater Acoustic Channels

Storage Channels

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Frequency Spectrum

Generally there are three types of frequencies in communication systems:

1. Baseband Frequency
2. Intermediate Frequency (IF)
3. Radiation Frequency (RF)

Baseband Frequency: describes signals and systems whose range of

frequencies is measured from zero to a maximum bandwidth.
Intermediate Frequency: is a frequency to which a carrier frequency is
shifted as an intermediate step in transmission or reception.
Radiation Frequency: is the frequency that the transmitted signal will be
radiated at from the antenna.

Where c is the speed of the light (3x108 m/sec) and is the wave length
Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Frequency Spectrum

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Part II
Spectrum Analyzer

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Outline

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

Overview:

What is spectrum analysis?

What measurements do we make?

Theory of Operation:

Spectrum analyzer hardware

Specifications:

Which are important and why?

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Overview
What is Spectrum Analysis?

8563A

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

SPECTRUM ANALYZER

9 kHz - 26.5 GHz

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Overview
.

Types of Tests Made

Modulation

Noise
Distortion

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Overview
Frequency versus Time Domain

Amplitude
(power)

Time domain
Measurements
Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

Frequency Domain
Measurements
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Overview
Different Types of Analyzers

Fourier Analyzer
A

Parallel filters measured

simultaneously
LCD shows full
spectral display

f1
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f2

f
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Overview
Different Types of Analyzers

Swept Analyzer
A

Filter 'sweeps' over range

of interest
LCD shows full
spectral display

f1
Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

f2

f
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Theory of Operation
Spectrum Analyzer Block Diagram
RF input
attenuator

IF gain

IF filter

detector

mixer
Input
signal
Log
Amp

Pre-Selector
Or Low Pass
Filter

video
filter

local
oscillator
sweep
generator
Crystal
Reference

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

CRT display

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Theory of Operation
MIXER

Mixer

f sig

input

f LO+ f sig

f LO- f sig

RF IF
LO

f sig

f LO

f LO

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Theory of Operation
IF FILTER

IF Filter

Input
Spectrum
IF Bandwidth
(RBW)
Display

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Theory of Operation
DETECTOR

Detector

amplitude

"bins
"

Positive detection: largest value

in bin displayed
Negative detection: smallest value
in bin displayed
Sample detection: last value in bin
displayed

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Theory of Operation
Video Filter
VIDEO
FILTER

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Theory of Operation
Other Components

LO
SWEEP
GEN
RF INPUT
ATTENUATOR

frequency
LCD DISPLAY
IF GAIN

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Theory of Operation
How it all works together
fs
0

Signal Range

f LO

f LO- f s
fs

3 (GHz)

mixer

LO Range

input

f LO+ f s
IF filter

fs 2

4
3.6

detector
6.5
3.6

f IF
sweep generator

LO

f LO
3

4
3.6

0
5

(GHz)

3 (GHz) f
LCD display

6.5

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

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Theory of Operation
Front Panel Operation
Softkeys

Primary functions
(Frequency, Amplitude,
Span)

8563A

SPECTRUM ANALYZER

9 kHz - 26.5 GHz

Control functions
(RBW, sweep
time, VBW)
RF Input
Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

Numeric
keypad
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Specifications
8563A

SPECTRUM ANALYZER

Advanced RF and Wireless Techniques

9 kHz - 26.5 GHz

Frequency Range
Accuracy: Frequency & Amplitude
Resolution
Sensitivity
Distortion
Dynamic Range

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