1. RF VLSI design involves challenges balancing performance, cost, and functionality across disciplines like analog and digital circuits. 2. Key applications include WLAN, GPS, RFID, and satellite networks operating at frequencies from 900MHz to 10GHz. 3. RF transceivers upconvert and downconvert signals using oscillators and frequency synthesizers, and must deal with tradeoffs transmitting high power signals while sensing small received signals.

1. RF VLSI DESIGN

2. Frequency, f
• Frequency is the number of complete waves passing a given
point per second. It is measured in Hertz.
• Relationship between frequency, speed and wavelength.
• Frequency f = c
l
l is wavelength, c is speed of light c = 3108 m/s in vacuum .

3. Radio Frequency
• Wireless communication technology
• RF is an alternating current which, if supplied to an antenna, will
give rise to an electromagnetic field that propagates through space.
• Cheap and widely used
• Over 40 millions systems manufactured each year utilizing low power
wireless (RF) technology for data links, telemetry, control and
security.
• Wide range of applications
• Cordless and cellular telephones, radio and television broadcast
stations, hand-held computer and PDA data links, wireless barcode
readers, wireless keyboards for PCs, wireless security systems,
consumer electronic remote control, etc.

4. RF Characteristics
• Low power
• Typically transmit less than 1mW of power.
• Good operating range
• Operate over distances of 3 to 30 meters.
• Supports data rate up to 1-2 Mbps .
• Penetrates walls.
• Does not require a direct transmission path.

5. Radio waves generation
• when a high-frequency alternating current (AC) passes through a
copper conductor it generates radio waves which are propagated
into the air using an antenna.
• radio waves have frequencies between:
• 3 Hz – 300 KHz - low frequency
• 300 KHz – 30 MHz – high frequency
• 30 MHz – 300 MHz – very high frequency
• 300 MHz – 300 GHz – ultra high frequency

6. History of wireless communication
• Guglielmo Marconi invented the wireless telegraph
in 1896
• Communication by encoding alphanumeric characters in analog
signal.
• Sent telegraphic signals across the Atlantic Ocean in 1901.
• 1914 – first voice communication over radio waves.
• Communications satellites launched in 1960s.
• Advances in wireless technology
• Radio, television, mobile telephone, communication satellites.
• More recently
• Satellite communications, wireless networking, cellular technology.

7. What is Wireless Communication ?
• Transmitting voice and data using electromagnetic waves
in open space (atmosphere).
• Electromagnetic waves
• Travel at speed of light (c = 3x108 m/s)
• Has a frequency (f) and wavelength (l)
•c = f x l
• Higher frequency means higher energy photons.
• The higher the energy photon the more
penetrating is the radiation.

8. A Wireless World
• High-speed wireless links (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) allow seamless
connections among device and appliance.

9. Types of wireless communication
celullar wireless computer network radio service

10. Wavelength of Some Technologies
• GSM Phones:
• frequency ~= 900 Mhz
• wavelength ~= 33cm
• PCS Phones
• frequency ~= 1.8 Ghz
• wavelength ~= 17.5 cm
• Bluetooth:
• frequency ~= 2.4Gz
• wavelength ~= 12.5cm

11. Wireless applications (services)

12. Advantages and disadvantages of wireless
communication
• Advantages:
• Mobility.
• A wireless communication network is a solution in areas where
cables are impossible to install (e.g. hazardous areas, long
distances etc.
• Easier to maintain.
• Disadvantages:
• Has security vulnerabilities.
• High costs for setting the infrastructure.
• Unlike wired comm., wireless comm. is influenced by physical
obstructions, climatic conditions, interference from other
wireless devices.

13. • Introduction to RF & Wireless Technology
1 . Complexity Comparison
2 . Design Bottleneck
3. Applications
4 . Analog and Digital Systems
5 . Choice of Technology

14. A Wireless World
RF Design Challenges
Big Picture of
RF System
 Wireless Communication
in Life
 Trend in RF Development
 Multitude of
Disciplines
 RF Trade-offs
 Demand for cost and
performance
 TX and RX

15. RF Design is Challenging: Multidiscipline

16. RF Design is Challenging: Trade-offs
 RF circuits and transceivers must deal with numerous trade-offs.
 Demand for higher performance, lower cost and greater functionality

17. The Big Picture: RF Communication
TX: Drive antenna with
high power level
RX: Sense small signal
(amplify with low noise)

18. The Big Picture: Generic RF Transceiver
 Signals are upconverted/downconverted at TX/RX, by an oscillator
controlled by a Frequency Synthesizer

19. General RF Transceiver
Architecture

20. 1.3 Applications
• 1. WLAN(Wireless Local Area Network)
• 900Mhz, 2.4Ghz
• 2. GPS
• 1.5Ghz range
• 3. RF IDs(RF Identification Systems)
• 900Mhz, 2.4Ghz
• 4. Home Satellite Network
• 10Ghz

21. 1.4 Analog and Digital Systems
• 1. Analog System

22. 1.4 Analog and Digital Systems
• 2. Digital System

23. 1.5 Choice of Technology
• 1. GaAs, Silicon Bipolar, BiCMOS
• Low-yield, high-power, high-cost option
• Heterojunction devices
• PA, front-end switches
• 2. VLSI
• High-quality inductors and capacitors
• Higher levels of integration
• Lower overall cost
• 3. CMOS
• High transit frequency
• Substrate coupling, parameter variation, etc.