RF and Communications Fundamentals
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Overview
As part of the National Instruments Measurement Fundamentals Series, this set of tutorials helps you learn about a specific common measurement application topic through theory explanations and practical examples.
What You Learn
A wide range of systems and applications incorporate RF, microwave and wireless devices and signals, so advancing your fundamental knowledge is important for mastering many of today’s test and measurement applications. This set of RF, communications and wireless tutorials provides you with essential information about analog and digital modulation, I/Q data, RF and microwave specifications, performing spectral measurements as well as a over-arching glossary of RF and microwave terms.
Visit the Test System Development Resource Library to learn how to incorporate these measurements into an automated test system.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to RF & Wireless Communications Systems
- RF and Microwave Spectral Analysis
- Analog Modulation
- Digital Modulation
- Communications Systems
- Modulation Measurements
- Communication Standards
- Understanding RF & Microwave Specifications
- RF & Communications Terminology and Glossary
- RF & Communications Resources
- See Also - RF Fundamentals 3-Day Training Course
Introduction to RF & Wireless Communications Systems
This tutorial is designed to introduce the basic concepts of RF and wireless communications.
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RF and Microwave Spectral Analysis
This set of tutorials will discuss several topics relating to spectral analysis. It covers typical spectral measurements such as power in-band, adjacent channel power as well as concepts such as dynamic range, resolution bandwidth, harmonic distortion as well as noise specifications.
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Analog Modulation
This set of tutorials will discuss several topics relating to analog modulation. It covers amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM) and phase-locked loops (PLL).
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Digital Modulation
This set of tutorials will discuss several topics relating to digital modulation. It covers frequency shift keying (FSK), phase shift keying (PSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and discusses IQ data as they relate to digital modulation.
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Communications Systems
This set of tutorials will discuss several topics relating to communication systems. Some of the topics addressed include pulse-shape filtering, channel coding, OFDM and spread spectrum.
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Modulation Measurements
This set of tutorials will discuss several topics relating to modulation measurements. It covers error vector magnitude (EVM) and modulation error ratio (MER).
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Communication Standards
Communication applications range from simple RFID transponders and keyless entry systems to cell phones and cognitive radios. By using software-defined modular instruments, you can maximize your equipment investment by creating a test system that is both reusable and adaptable to changes in the test device. Some standards discussed include RFID, GSM/EDGE, ZigBee, AM, FM, RDS, XM, Sirius, Bluetooth, tire pressure monitoring (TMPS), 802.11 and spectral monitoring.
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Understanding RF & Microwave Specifications
This tutorial is a continuation and defines typical RF and microwave specifications found on devices and instruments. Terms such as Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR), Frequency Response, Modulation Error Ratio (MER), Error Vector Magnitude (EVM), Third-Order Intercept and more.
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RF & Communications Terminology and Glossary
Comprehensive set of RF, microwave, communications and wireless terms.
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RF & Communications Resources
Use this RF and communication resource for information ranging from general RF terminology to specific RF application development. Whether you are developing an advanced RF application, researching different RF test platforms, or simply needing information about RF and communications fundamentals, this document can help you.
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See Also - RF Fundamentals 3-Day Training Course
Engineers who are new to RF or looking for a a refresher course can attend a 3-Day National Instruments RF Fundamentals Training Course to explore traditional measurements, learn about digital and analog modulation, examine modern system-level tests such as BER, MER, and EVM, and more.
Learn More about the 3-Day Course >>
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This tutorial (this "tutorial") was developed by National Instruments ("NI"). Although technical support of this tutorial may be made available by National Instruments, the content in this tutorial may not be completely tested and verified, and NI does not guarantee its quality in any way or that NI will continue to support this content with each new revision of related products and drivers. THIS TUTORIAL IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND AND SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN NI.COM'S TERMS OF USE (http://ni.com/legal/termsofuse/unitedstates/us/).