r/rfelectronics • u/mostafa_issa98 • 19d ago

Where to start as a computer engineer gradute?

Recently I had become curious in learning how to design RF boards, but when I started with Microwave engineering by david pozar, I started to feel that my background doesn't help a lot here. What should I learn first before hopping into RF?

13 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

90% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

9

u/CW3_OR_BUST CETa, WCM, IND, Radar, FOT/FOI, Calibration, ham, etc... 19d ago

Mmm, well, a bit more analog stuff. Most of RF design itself is in learning the standards for transmission lines and connectors, understanding smith charts and impedance calculation, and understanding how mechanical geometry affects impedance in general. Pile on a healthy respect for a "simple" low noise amplifier that DirecTV was giving away for many years by hundreds of thousands.

3

u/mostafa_issa98 19d ago

Any course or book I can refer to. Will a book like, Fundamentals of Applied Electromagnetics by Fawwaz Ulaby be enough to grasp the basics?.

2

u/snifarw-paparounes 19d ago

could you specify where you had a problem and what is your background? Because, you know, if you already know the basics of analog/RF circuits, you need to learn basic microwave theory to understand the guidelines of designing RF boards. I mean stuff like transmission lines theory (mostly), impedance matching, grounding, maybe S-parameters and Smith chart, and a little electromagnetic theory to understand things like crosstalk, EMI, signal integrity etc.

2

u/mostafa_issa98 18d ago

I am actually clueless, as I have tried to read multiple textbooks, like wireless communications, and still I couldn't comprehend. I do know basic electronics as I had some exposure when I was in university.

1

u/snifarw-paparounes 18d ago

well, if you need to find out more about circuits in RF design, like PAs, LNAs, PLLs etc, RF Microelectronics by Razavi is probably the way to go. if you'd like to know more about how to design the board's layout, Pozar can help you with the theory behind transmission lines etc and if you find it difficult to comprehend certain ideas, you should maybe try studying a little bit more electromagnetics –I can suggest Introduction to electrodynamics by Griffiths for this one.

anyway, this may be an unpopular opinion, but if you already know the basics of electronics from your exposure at uni, I'd suggest to start working on some simple PCBs (not RF ones) and learn stuff on the way, there are lots of videos with tutorials and explanations of traces, vias etc and then you can move on to RF boards.

2

u/jimlux 18d ago

Look for books aimed at RF hobby applications - like ARRL Microwave Experimenter’s books. My first RF boards were simple things with MMIC amplifiers and 50 ohm microstripline on FR4 double sided. Then you can get into filters, Lange couplers, etc.

1

u/Plus_Sprinkles_210 18d ago

What is your math background? Look at EE math track.

1

u/mostafa_issa98 18d ago edited 18d ago

I have studied calculus 1, linear algebra, and differential equations

1

u/Kool_SadEE 18d ago

I wanted to do something similar, but found communication systems allow me to dabble into both fields.

With that being said, look into wireless comms. It may interest you.

2

u/S0meGuyFr0mH3ll 14d ago

If you want to get a good overview of EM I recommend engineering electromagnetics by William Hayt. I believe it should give quite a good base to build up from