Price: $1,999.00

Course Number: 511
Length: 2 Days
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RF Training, The Essential RF Training Course

RF Training Fundamentals course covers the basics of RF theory including basics of electromagnetic waves, propagation models, link budget, modulation, channel coding, antennas, capacity planning, frequency planning and optimization.

Live on-line and at your site or Tonex site

 

RF, also known as Radio Frequency, is incorporated into almost everything that transmits or receives a radio wave which including amateur radio, Cell Phones: 3G, LTE, LTE-Advanced, 5G NR, mmWave, 6G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, RFID, NFC, medical devises, GPS, Microwave, Satellite Communications, Radar, EW, SIGINT/ELINT, DAS, Public Safety and more. RF Training course gives you the expertise needed to plan, design, optimize and manage effective and reliable RF and wireless solutions.  An in-depth knowledge of mathematics, physics and general electronics theory is covered.

Antenna Engineering Training Boot Camp

Who Should Attend?

RF Training course is designed for anyone needing a solid foundation for understanding the principles of RF. Engineers, technicians, and managers who are new to RF and require applicable skills in RF fundamentals, design, planning and engineering.

Anyone working within the field of general RF systems, wireless, cellular, microwave systems, and satellite communication will benefit from this comprehensive coverage of RF fundamentals. Basic mathematical and computing skills are recommended for this course.

An electrical engineering background or equivalent practical experience is desired but not required.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

  • Explain the Basics of RF
  • Understand the engineering tools and procedures required for RF engineering and planning
  • Understand existing and emerging standards for RF
  • Understand RF Propagation and Antenna Principle
  • Describe and understand a broad spectrum of antenna types
  • Discuss RF modulation techniques
  • Review RF system design considerations
  • Review RF system budget profiles
  • Calculate propagation losses and link budgets.
  • Explain RF performance and optimization considerations
  • Analyze system degradation due to RF components
  • Evaluate the performance of different RF wireless systems
  • Explore project planning process of RF
  • Discuss successful and unsuccessful RF deployments
  • Step through a practical process for managing RF networks
  • Discuss fundamentals behind microwave and satellite communications
  • Explore the current and future RF market trends

Course Outline

RF Overview

  • History of RF
  • Characteristics of a Radio Signal
  • Overview of dB, dBm, dBi, and conversions
  • Basic Problems of Radio
  • Basic Building Blocks in Radio Design
  • Mixers, Amplifiers, Filters and Antennas
  • Eb/No vs. SNR, BER vs. noise, Bandwidth Limitations
  • Modulation Schemes and Bandwidth
  • Technology Fundamentals
  • Types of Modulation: AM, FM, FSK, QAM, PSK and QPSK
  • Overview of Access Methods: FDMA, DAMA, TDMA, CDMA, OFDM and OFDMA
  • RF Engineering Principals
  • Cellular and Mobile RF ( LTE and 5G)
  • Satellite Communications and VSAT
  • Other Fixed Wireless RF

RF Technologies and Deployment

  • Radio Propagation
  • Introduction to Microwaves
  • Definition of RF/microwave
  • Frequency Bands Signal Principles
  • Modulation, Bandwidth, Interference, Performance
  • Fundamentals of Digital RF Communication
  • Multiple Access Methods and Comparative Capacities
  • Link Structure
  • Call Processing
  • Design Engineering
  • Performance Engineering
  • Traffic Engineering
  • System Noise Management
  • Propagation modes
  • Transmission line aspects
  • Smith Chart
  • Scattering parameter analysis
  • Microwave filters
  • Matching networks
  • Power flow relations
  • Unilateral and bilateral amplifier designs
  • Stability analysis
  • Oscillators circuits
  • Mixers
  • Antennas
  • RF Regulatory Considerations

RF Propagation Principles

  • Physics and Propagation Mechanisms
  • Propagation Models and Link Budgets
  • Practical System Design Considerations
  • Frequency and Wavelength
  • The Physics of Propagation: Free Space, Reflection, Diffraction
  • Local Variability: Rayleigh fading and multipath cancellation
  • Area propagation models: Okumura, HATA, Cost 231 and more
  • SATCOM propagation models
  • Point-to-Point Models: techniques and commercial software
  • Analyzing measured data to produce models
  • Reliability of Service: using statistics to design for reliability
  • Macro-cell Indoor Penetration Considerations and reliability
  • Micro-cellular systems and techniques
  • Propagation Prediction Tools and Measurement Tools
  • Propagation Losses
  • Free space path loss
  • Reflection and scattering loss
  • Multipath
  • Rayleigh fading models
  • Link Budgets and High-Level System Design
  • Link Budget basics and application principles
  • Traffic Considerations

Types Of Propagation Models And Their Uses

  • Simple Analytical models
  • General Area models
  • Point-to-Point models
  • Local Variability models
  • The Okumura Model
  • The Hata Model
  • The EURO COST-231 Model
  • Morphological Zones
  • Walfisch-Betroni/Walfisch-Ikegami Models
  • Commercial Propagation Prediction Software

Antenna Theory

  • Antenna Basics
  • Basic Antennas: Isotropic and Dipole radiators
  • Concept of Antenna Gain and gain references
  • Effective Radiated Power
  • Antenna Patterns and Pattern Features
  • How Antennas achieve Gain
  • Reflector techniques, array techniques
  • Families of Antennas used in Wireless: architecture, characteristics
  • Collinear vertical antennas
  • Horizontal arrays: yagis, log-periodics, etc.
  • Implications of propagation driving antenna selection
  • Multipath scattering in mobile clutter environment
  • Beamwidth and tilt considerations for base station antennas
  • Radiation Pattern
  • Gain Antenna types, composition and operational principles
  • Antenna gains, patterns, and selection principles
  • Antenna system testing

Basic Principles of Traffic Engineering and Optimization

  • Trunks, Circuits, Voice Paths
  • Offered Traffic vs. Carried Traffic
  • Blocking Probability, Grade of Service
  • Basic Operational Concepts
  • Using Traffic Calculators (Voice, Data, and Video )

RF System Design consideration

  • Eb/No vs. SNR
  • BER vs. Noise
  • Bandwidth Limitations
  • RF System Design
  • Noise Figure
  • Receiver Sensitivity
  • Desensitization and Blocking
  • Dynamic Range
  • Intermodulation Distortion
  • Power Output
  • Spectral Efficiency and System Limitations
  • Sample Link Budget Calculations
  • RF System Testing (Verification) and Test Equipment
  • Using Spectrum Analyzers and Signal Generators

RF Calculation Labs and Hands-on Exercises

  • dBm To Watt Calculation
  • Free Space Path Loss Calculation
  • Noise Factor to Noise Figure Calculation
  • Noise Figure to Noise Temperature Calculation
  • Antenna Calculations
  • Attenuator Calculations
  • Reflection Attenuator Calculation

Browse Other RF Training Courses:

Basic and Advanced RF Training Courses

Course NameLength
Antenna Engineering Training Boot Camp4 days
Antenna Training – Engineering, Theory, Analysis and Design3 days
Cellular Networks Performance Workshop Training3 days
DAS Training – Distributed Antenna System3 days
RF Engineering Training Boot Camp 4 days
RF Fundamentals – RF Training2 days
RF Optimization Training2 days
RF Safety – Radio Frequency Safety Training2 days
RF Theory & Technical Training2 days
RF Training – Advanced2 days

 

Since 1993, Tonex has been providing radio frequency training programs, overview classes and specialty courses for businesses and government agencies in a variety of fields, including telecom, information technology and systems engineering. Each class is formatted in a similar manner, where we begin with an overview of the material, move on to the body of the RF training program and complete the course with a certificate. We offer both industry and Tonex certificates for employees to have on file. What makes our RF training courses especially distinct is that they are flexible. We understand that each business is unique and therefore deserves an equally unique seminar that relates directly back to the field as well as the business at large. Throughout the RF courses, our instructors take the time to implement hands-on activities, real-world examples and interactive discussions that make the information easier to grasp.

  • Do you have to perform RF technical responsibility to a pre-determined group of RF systems to insure the delivery of all services as an RF Engineer?
  • Do you have to publish RF engineering technical operating specifications or to provide technical guidelines to improve network performance?
  • Do you have to support RF engineering team with engineering and management guidelines?

The radio spectrum is the radio frequency (RF) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

In the United States, regulatory responsibility for the radio spectrum RF portion is divided between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

The FCC, which is an independent regulatory agency, administers spectrum for non-Federal use such as  state, local government, commercial, private internal business, and personal use. The NTIA, which is an operating unit of the Department of Commerce, administers spectrum for Federal use such as use by the Army, the FAA, and the FBI.

Within the FCC, the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) provides advice on technical and policy issues pertaining to spectrum allocation and use.

Currently only radio frequency bands between 9 kHz and 275 GHz have been allocated for use by one or more terrestrial or space radiocommunication services or the radio astronomy service under specified conditions.

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), RF waves emanating from an antenna are generated by the movement of electrical charges in the antenna.

Electromagnetic waves can be characterized by a wavelength and a frequency.  The wavelength is the distance covered by one complete cycle of the electromagnetic wave, while the frequency is the number of electromagnetic waves passing a given point in one second.

The frequency of an RF signal is usually expressed in terms of a unit called the “hertz” (abbreviated “Hz”).  One Hz equals one cycle per second.  One megahertz MHz equals 1 million cycles per second.

Different forms of electromagnetic energy are categorized by their wavelengths and frequencies.  The RF part of the electromagnetic spectrum is generally defined as that part of the spectrum where electromagnetic waves have frequencies in the range of about 3 kilohertz (3 kHz) to 300 gigahertz (300 GHz).

Microwaves for example are a specific category of radio waves that can be loosely defined as radiofrequency energy at frequencies ranging from about 1 GHz to 30 GHz.

RF has become a much discussed topic the past few years with the advent of 5G. In order to successfully deliver 5G services, service providers must ensure proper radio frequency (RF) signal quality throughout their networks.

The success of 5G has been largely dependent on overcoming spectrum interference and other barriers. To properly examine the RF spectrum, technicians require specialized testing tools capable of locating and isolating RF interference.

Why should you choose TONEX for your RF Training Courses?

RF Training

Earn 13 PDH approved by Professional Engineers by PIE (Practicing Institute of Engineering, Inc.) for CEU. RF Training Fundamentals qualifies for Continuing Education Units (CEU) and for the acceptance of Professional Development Hours (PDH) activities submitted by PE’s for Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) credit.

RF training course is designed for people who work in the field of radio frequency communications as well as those who require a basic understanding of RF fundamentals. Tonex provides high-quality radio frequency training programs for government agencies, small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. Our RF courses are specifically designed by experts in the field, and the material is continuously updated with the latest information and market trends.

RF Essential includes:

  • RF Overview
  • RF Technologies and Deployment
  • Types of RF Propagation Models and Their Uses
  • Link Budget Calculations
  • 4G, 5G and 6G Cellular
  • WiFi, BLE and SATCOM
  • Antenna Theory
  • Basic Principles of RF Applied to Traffic Engineering and Optimization
  • RF System Design Considerations
  • RF Regulatory Considerations

Who Should Attend

RF Training course is designed for anyone needing a solid foundation for understanding the principles of RF Engineering. Engineers, technicians and managers who are new to RF and require applicable skills in RF design, planning and engineering.

Anyone working within the field of general RF systems, wireless, cellular and microwave systems will benefit from this comprehensive coverage of RF fundamentals. Basic mathematical and computing skills are recommended for this course.

An electrical engineering background or equivalent practical experience is desired but not required.

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