Introduction to RF Equipment and System Design

Introduction to RF Equipment and System Design For a listing of recent titles in the Artech House Radar Library, turn to the back of this book Introduction to RF Equipment and System Design Pekka Eskelinen Artech House, Inc Boston • London www.artechhouse.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record of this book is available from the U.S Library of Congress British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Eskelinen, Pekka Introduction to RF equipment and system design.—(Artech House radar library) Radio—Equipment and supplies Wireless communications systems—Design and construction Radio frequency I Title 621.3’84 ISBN 1-58053-665-4 Cover design by Igor Valdman © 2004 ARTECH HOUSE, INC 685 Canton Street Norwood, MA 02062 All rights reserved Printed and bound in the United States of America No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized Artech House cannot attest to the accuracy of this information Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark International Standard Book Number: 1-58053-665-4 10 Contents Preface ix Acknowledgments xi CHAPTER Introduction 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Definitions What the Reader Should Already Know Style of Approach Goals in System Design The Spirit of System Design Reliability and Availability Effects of User Profile Project Working References CHAPTER Available Parameters 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 Standardization and Regulations Frequency Power NF RF Transmission Lines Geographical Topology Modulation Effects of the Baseband Signal Signal Processing Nonelectrical Factors References 7 10 11 12 15 15 16 22 24 25 28 29 31 32 33 36 CHAPTER Systems Problems Involving Wave-Propagation Mechanisms 37 3.1 Propagation Models in Brief with Reference to System Design 3.2 Means to Counter Adverse Conditions (Stationary and Nonstationary) 3.2.1 Attenuation 38 42 42 vii viii Contents 3.2.2 Scattering 3.2.3 Multipath Problems 3.2.4 Interference Issues 3.3 Examples 3.3.1 Unexpected Ionospheric Disturbances at HFs 3.3.2 Interference Problems in Microwave Links 3.3.3 Reception of Weak Geostationary Satellite Signals References 46 48 51 51 51 54 59 60 CHAPTER Circuits and Components for System Evaluations and Design 63 4.1 Standard or Custom Design? 4.2 Passive Modules 4.2.1 Terminations 4.2.2 Attenuators 4.2.3 Power Dividers and Combiners 4.2.4 Filters 4.2.5 Directional Couplers 4.2.6 Isolators 4.3 Active Modules 4.3.1 Detectors 4.3.2 Switches 4.3.3 Mixers 4.3.4 Amplifiers 4.3.5 Oscillators 4.3.6 Modulators and Demodulators 4.3.7 Upconverters/Downconverters 4.3.8 Power Supplies 4.4 Mechanics 4.5 Purchasing Modules for Equipment Development References 63 64 64 65 66 66 70 71 71 72 74 76 79 83 87 90 90 91 93 94 CHAPTER Antennas and Associated Hardware 97 5.1 Antenna Selection Criteria 5.2 Some Antenna Types 5.2.1 Individual Antenna Elements 5.2.2 Antenna Arrays 5.2.3 Vehicle-Mounted Arrays 5.3 Antennas as Mechanical Elements 5.3.1 Antenna Mounting on Test Vehicles 5.3.2 A Tracking System for a 3-m Reflector Antenna 5.4 RF Transmission Lines 5.4.1 Coaxial Cables 5.4.2 Waveguides 5.5 Connectors 5.5.1 General Performance Requirements 98 103 104 113 128 134 134 137 140 141 146 147 148 Contents ix 5.5.2 Fundamental Construction 5.5.3 Common RF Connector Types for Mechanical Modules 5.5.4 Connectors as Components in Milled or Sheet Assemblies 5.6 Rotary Joints and Flexible Waveguides 5.6.1 Rotary Joints 5.6.2 Flexible Waveguides References 148 149 152 153 154 155 157 CHAPTER TXs, RXs, and Transceivers 159 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 Requirements for TX Block Diagram Choosing the Building Blocks Requirements for RXs Block Diagram Choosing the Building Blocks Selecting an RX for the System Transceiver Specialties Examples 6.9.1 Satellite System Ground Beacon 6.9.2 Material Analysis with Millimeter Waves 6.9.3 Mobile Millimeter-Wave Radar 6.9.4 Microwave Telemetry System 6.9.5 UHF Time and Frequency Reference References CHAPTER RF Measuring Instrumentation 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Defining a Test Setup Typical Test Instruments for Systems Ready-Made or Tailored About Computer Control Examples 7.5.1 Estimating VHF Ground Conductivity 7.5.2 High-Power HF VNA 7.5.3 Pattern and Impedance Measurements of Compact Antennas 7.5.4 Test Instrumentation for Air Navigation Facilities References 160 166 168 170 174 176 179 180 183 183 188 193 198 203 212 215 215 217 218 219 220 221 225 226 229 241 List of Acronyms 243 List of Symbols 249 About the Author 253 Index 255 .. .Introduction to RF Equipment and System Design For a listing of recent titles in the Artech House Radar Library, turn to the back of this book Introduction to RF Equipment and System Design. .. Publication Data Eskelinen, Pekka Introduction to RF equipment and system design. —(Artech House radar library) Radio? ?Equipment and supplies Wireless communications systems? ?Design and construction Radio... relevant topics include amplifier [11] and oscillator [12] design principles, power supplies and voltage regulation [13], and different diode detectors Some understanding of elementary logic design and