PORTALE DELLA DIDATTICA

PORTALE DELLA DIDATTICA

PORTALE DELLA DIDATTICA

Elenco notifiche



Radio frequency integrated circuits

01POHXW, 01POHOQ

A.A. 2026/27

Course Language

Inglese

Degree programme(s)

Master of science-level of the Bologna process in Ingegneria Elettronica (Electronic Engineering) - Torino

Course structure
Teaching Hours
Lezioni 45
Esercitazioni in aula 15
Lecturers
Teacher Status SSD h.Les h.Ex h.Lab h.Tut Years teaching
Ramella Chiara   Professore Associato IINF-01/A 36 0 0 0 3
Co-lectures
Espandi

Context
SSD CFU Activities Area context
ING-INF/01 6 B - Caratterizzanti Ingegneria elettronica
2026/27
The course is taught in English. Radio frequency integrated circuits (2nd year LM, 1st term) is a required course in the curricula: RF design, Integrated Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices and Technologies, Wireless System design. It provides the basis of radiofrequency analog circuit design, with particular attention to telecom applications, for both linear and quasi-linear or nonlinear subsystems. The relevant CAD tools are also introduced and exploited.
High-frequency electronics plays a fundamental role in modern engineering because it enables the technologies that support today’s connected world with applications in the areas of wireless and mobile communications, satellite systems, radars and automotive electronics. For an electronic engineer, understanding microwave electronics is increasingly important since modern systems demand higher data rates, smaller components, and better electromagnetic performance. This course is positioned within four of the Master of Science curricula in Electronic Engineering as an advanced specialization in radio frequency (RF), microwave, and millimeter-wave analog integrated circuit design. It builds upon foundational knowledge acquired in undergraduate courses on electronic circuits, electromagnetic fields, semiconductor devices, analog electronics, and signal processing, extending these concepts toward the design of high-frequency front-end systems for modern wireless and radar applications. By addressing the analysis and design of nonlinear microwave components such as power amplifiers, mixers, and oscillators, the course provides students with the theoretical and practical tools required for the implementation of RF and microwave transceivers in compound semiconductor technologies. A strong emphasis is placed on monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) design methodologies applied to power amplifiers, and on the use of industry-standard computer-aided design (CAD) environments, enabling students to bridge the gap between theoretical models and practical engineering implementation. CAD activities strengthen professional skills in nonlinear simulation, harmonic balance analysis, impedance matching, stability assessment, and layout-oriented design, which are highly relevant for both industrial R&D environments and academic research.
- Knowledge of the most important building block present within RF and microwave Transceivers; - Knowledge of the monolithic and hybrid, active and passive, technologies for the realization of the radiofrequency part of a communication system; - Capability to analyze linear two ports in terms of power gain and stability, and to design the linear subsystems within the receiver of a RF and microwave communication system; - Capability to analyze the non linear blocks present in a RF and microwave communication system: power amplifiers, mixers, oscillators; - Usage of commercial CAD tools for the simulation and design of high frequency circuits both using linear and large signal strategies; - Capabilities to design up to the layout level a power amplifier for the receiver and transmitter chain of a RF and microwave communication system; - Knowledge of the most important figures of merit to evaluate the performances of a communication system, and to analyze and discuss their impact on the system level performances;
By the end of the course, students will be able to: - Identify and describe the key building blocks of RF and microwave transceivers, including relevant technologies and implementation architectures; - Understand and apply the Harmonic Balance technique that is fundamental for the large-signal simulation of non-linear high-frequency circuits; - Illustrate and analyze the design principles and performance trade-offs of nonlinear components such as power amplifiers, mixers, and oscillators; - Evaluate figures of merits, limits and trade-offs of MMIC amplifiers across different amplifier classes and architectures; - Use commercial CAD tools to analyze, design and optimize integrated microwave circuits from given target specifications;
Fundamentals of analog electronics, transmission line theory, scattering parameters basics, basics on random processes.
Mandatory pre-requisites include: - Fundamentals of analog electronics; - Basic knowledge of electromagnetics and transmission line theory; - Knowledge of the main electronic properties of semiconductors; - Basic knowledge of metal-semiconductor junctions; - Knowledge of the operating principle of field effect transistors (FETs); - Understanding of the concepts of large-signal and small-signal behavior and modelling of active devices; It is also recommended to be familiar with the main concepts treated in the "Analog and telecommunication electronics", "Microwave Electronics", in particular: - S-parameters; - Smith chart and impedance matching fundamentals; - Basic architecture for receiving and transmitting radio signals and of the role of the functional building blocks; - Integrated technologies for high-frequency active and passive devices; - Microwave transistors operation and models; - Linear two ports gain and stability; Accounting for the possible different curricula of the students, review material and/or review lectures on the latter topics will be included in the course.
Lectures: - Description of the most important functional blocks within a RF and microwaves communication system with focus on the RF part; Review on the enabling technologies and on the passive and active elements within the RF part of a communication system; (0,5 CFU) - Linear functional blocks: general characteristics and adopted models, maximum gain amplifiers, feedback amplifiers with, large band amplifiers, distributed amplifiers; (1 CFU) - Noise in electronic systems: low noise amplifiers; (0,5 CFU) - The non linear blocks: general characteristics and adopted models; (0,5 CFU) - Power amplifiers; class A, B, C, class D,E,F high efficiency amplifiers, issues on power amplifier linearization, advanced power amplifier schemes, e.g. the Doherty approach; (1 CFU) - Mixers, frequency multipliers and oscillators. (0,5 CFU) Cad labs: (2 CFU) - RF and microwave circuit small signal simulation using RF and microwave dedicated commercial CAD tools; - Non linear RF simulations using dedicated commercial CAD tools: mixer and power amplifier simulations. Laboratories and/or exercises
Lectures (theory and exercises, 60% = 3.6 CFU): - Introduction and review of high frequency electronics for communication systems: transceiver architectures and functional blocks, figure of merits, review of transmission line theory and S-parameters, technology overview, microwave transistor modeling basics (0.9 CFU) - Power amplifiers: basics of nonlinearity, current-mode biasing and operating classes, high-efficiency amplifiers, advanced schemes, linearization techniques, PA design flow, effect of parasitics and load-pull approach, stabilization, matching and biasing networks (1.6 CFU) - Non-linear simulation using the Harmonic Balance approach (0.5 CFU) - Mixers and oscillators (0.6 CFU) CAD labs (40% - 2.4 CFU): - Guided laboratories: - Introduction to commercial CAD tools (0.3 CFU) - Linear simulations, passive networks optimizations, impedance transformers (0.3 CFU) - DC characteristics, biasing and operating classes, basic nonlinear simulations (0.3 CFU) - Analysis of real devices: linear gain, small-signal stabilization (0.3 CFU) - Analysis of real devices: load-pull, biasing networks (0.3 CFU) - Basics of layout construction, large-signal stability analysis, EM optimization and statistical analysis (0.1 CFU) - Development of individual project (0.8 CFU)
The course includes some CAD labs focused to learn how to use CAD tools for the analysis and optimization of linear and non linear analogical circuits at microwaves (MWOFFICE). The CAD labs will start with the analysis and design of simple passive circuits and through several steps will carry the students till the design of a hybrid or monolithic power amplifier. During the lecture hours several examples and numerical exercises will be proposed.
The course includes theory, with exercises and CAD demonstrations along, and hands-on CAD labs focused on the design of a simple but complete power amplifier. CAD labs require all students to download and install the software on their own laptops (Windows OS required). After guided labs to get acquainted with the software students will be required to develop an individual project. A couple of in-class slots will be dedicated to project development; students are however asked to complete the project and produce a project report working also at home.
The course material includes a full collection of slides shown during the lesson hours together with hints on the CAD labs development. The book from B. Razavi RF 'microelectronics' covers most part of the course. Power amplifiers can also be examined more closely in the book Elettronica delle Microonde authored by G. Ghione and M. Pirola, edited by Otto editore in 2002 and also available in electronic (pdf) format.
The course material includes slides and notes shown during the lectures and videos on specific topics. The recommended books are 1) Ghione, Pirola "Microwave Electronics" 2) Razavi, "RF microelectronics"
Slides; Dispense; Esercizi; Esercizi risolti; Esercitazioni di laboratorio; Esercitazioni di laboratorio risolte; Video lezioni dell’anno corrente; Video lezioni tratte da anni precedenti; Materiale multimediale ;
Lecture slides; Lecture notes; Exercises; Exercise with solutions ; Lab exercises; Lab exercises with solutions; Video lectures (current year); Video lectures (previous years); Multimedia materials;
Modalita di esame: Prova scritta (in aula); Prova orale obbligatoria; Elaborato progettuale individuale;
Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam; Individual project;
... A collection of exercises and problems are at student's disposal. The final test includes a written test, together with the development of an individual project using MWOFFICE, and a presentation and discussion of the results obtained with the project.
Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilita o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unita Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione piu idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.
Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam; Individual project;
The exam is aimed at ascertaining that the students have properly acquired all the expected learning outcomes as well as the capability to apply theory and its methods to the solution of exercises. The exam is composed of 2 compulsory parts: 1) Theory & exercise written test (50% of final score) - on the day officially scheduled for the exam - 60 minutes - 3 questions/exercises on any of the course topics - this part is graded 0 to 30 points and it is considered sufficient with at least 15/30 2) CAD project report and discussion (50% of final score) - scheduled within 15 days after written test (detailed dates will be provided for each call, in any case before next call) - 30 minutes maximum - project reports presented and discussed (questions about project details, choices, implementations and underlying theory) NOTES: - The two parts can be taken in different calls (any order) - Once a grade is awarded for any of the two parts, it remains valid indefinitely (unless the student decides to withdraw it) - Honors will be awarded to students who not only achieve high grades in both parts but also demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topics and strong presentation skills during the project discussion
In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.
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