Radio System Design

Lab 0 – Introduction to AWR System Simulation

Part 1– Introduction – AWR In this lab you will learn how to simulate using AWR’s Microwave Office. You may download a free copy at: https://www.awrcorp.com/awr-university-program/students AWR will give you a 6 month license for free with an approved university email, e.g. .edu. AWR is also on all of the PC clusters in the teaching […]

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Lab 1- Analog Modulation

Part 1 – Non-coherent DSB AM Radio Create the following AWR System Diagram. Use the setting from before. The low pass filter (LPFB) has the parameters shown. Note DC=1.5. This is a basic non-coherent radio. The ABS and LPF are equivalent to a diode peak detector. The diode would rectify the signal and the capacitor […]

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Lab 2 – Pulse Shaping and QAM Constellations

Part 1– QAM and PSK In this lab you will learn about the constellation and I and Q waveforms of Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) and Phase Shift Key (PSK). Create the schematic below. The bullet list contains the information about each block. Quick Tip: Mouse scroll wheel moves schematic up/down, Ctrl+mouse wheel moves in and […]

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Lab 3 – Digital Tx Non-idealities

Part 1 – I/Q Imbalance Load the file QAM_w_Phase_Noise_&_Imbalance.emp. The System Diagram should look like the one below. Watch the video “QAM System Simulation with Imbalance and Noise” to understand how the block diagram works. Explore each block to see the settings – they are not listed explicitly in this document since you have the […]

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Lab 4 – Non-linearity and Channel Capacity

Part 1 – Amplifier Characterization Load the file Lab 4 – Nonlinearity and Channel Capacity_student_start_v1.emp. Using the Project tab on the left, open the circuit schematic AMP1900 Systems Test. Note, this is a circuit design similar to SPICE you may have done in the past. It is a different schematic type than a System Diagram. […]

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LAB 05 – RECEIVER DESIGN PROJECT

This lab is different from previous labs in that it is not a step-by-step experiment, but rather a design project. GOAL: You will have to design and verify a super-heterodyne receiver. The input signal consists of a desired transmitted tone at 592MHz as well as undesired interference. Challenge: Choose LO and IF frequencies to meet […]

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LAB 08 – VECTOR NETWORK ANALYZER

Part 1 – Start VNA and Calibration Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) is widely used for S-parameters measurement of the Device Under Test (DUT). The system diagram of the S-parameters measurement test using VNA is shown below. Picture cited from https://www.rfcafe.com/ VNA Operation The following pictures show the test bench of S-parameters measurement using VNAuhf. The […]

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