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RF / Antenna Fundamentals
Rating: 4.5 out of 5(1,983 ratings)
7,030 students

RF / Antenna Fundamentals

Applications in 802.11 WiFi
Created byHank Ottey
Last updated 12/2020
English

What you'll learn

  • Fundamentals in RF Wave Propagation
  • Understanding of How Antennas Receive and Transmit
  • Ability to Clearly Explain RF Principles
  • Knowledge of WiFi Data-Transfer Mechanisms
  • Factors in RF Link Budgets

Course content

2 sections • 9 lectures • 1h 18m total length

  • Introduction7:52

    This module briefly describes the items under each topic of the course.

  • Properties of Signal15:08

    This module lays the groundwork for building a solid understanding of RF.  This is the "start-from-zero" module.  RF topics covered include: sending, receiving, polarization, wavelength/frequency, measurement, EIRP (Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power), field strength vs. orientation, how waves shape signal, reflection, penetration and diffraction.

  • Types of Antennas3:30

    A brief description of common antenna types used is provided in this module.  Essentially, the "type" assigned to an antenna boils down to its signal pattern.

  • Aspects of Antennas9:38

    This module dissects how antennas are used to beneficially manipulate RF.  Topics covered are: signal spread, gain, reciprocity, range/antenna type, range/frequency, mounting and signal-spread morphing.

  • Factors of Signal Quality7:33

    This module details factors that are mostly external to an RF link that have an effect on its performance.  Topics covered are: multipath, obstructions, Fresnel zone, weather, interference, noise floor/signal-to-noise ratio and VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio).

  • Radio Transceiver Properties7:05

    Radio transceivers are responsible for generating transmitted signal, and interpreting received signal.  These are the devices to which the antennas are mounted.  Topics covered are: data rate vs. throughput, range (Tx power, Rx sensitivity), receive sensitivity and data rate, range/data rate relationship and link formation.

  • Link Budgets5:18

    This module discusses all items that contribute to the strength of a received signal.  Each item plays a part in conveying the signal from the sending transceiver to the receiving transceiver.  The goal of a link budget is to quantify these items, and make sure the link is appropriately engineered.  Topics covered are: radio transceivers, cables and connectors, antennas, attenuation and fade margin.

  • Mechanisms for Increased Throughput11:24

    Modern data-transfer protocols use RF in innovative ways.  This module shows several of these mechanisms.  Topics covered are: receive diversity/transmit diversity, maximal-ratio combining, MIMO (multiple in, multiple out), MU MIMO (multi-user MIMO), QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation), OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing), transmit beamforming and smart-antenna beamforming.

  • Summary10:58

    This is a comprehensive summary to ensure all material covered is properly absorbed.

Requirements

  • There are no prerequisites for this course.

Description

The mysterious nature of RF has long hindered the comprehension of its functions.  In reality, the behavior of RF is based on just a few simple laws of physics that are quite easily explained.   

Since this course is very visual, students will promptly be able to conceive RF and antenna fundamentals on a very basic level.  Using this foundation of understanding, students will then be able to easily absorb the more advanced principles of data transfer protocols.  These principles, along with the rest of the material in the course are presented with clean graphics, simple animations, crystal-clear explanations and real-life analogies.

Who this course is for:

  • The target student for this course is everyone from the absolute beginner to the seasoned IT professional. For students looking to learn about RF and how it is used in today's data-transfer protocols, this course will shed complete light on where other courses fail in explaining the basic dynamics of RF. For IT professionals, this course will not only give the ability to comprehend more advanced RF topics, but it will give the ability better explain these topics to others. Thanks to the visual nature of the course, all students will have a solid, intuitive grasp of the material upon completion.

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