SRJC Course Outlines

3/29/2024 6:26:59 AMELEC 167 Course Outline as of Fall 2020

Reinstated Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  ELEC 167Title:  RF COMMUNICATIONS  
Full Title:  Radio Frequency and Wireless Communications
Last Reviewed:3/9/2020

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled2.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled35.00
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled3.008 min.Lab Scheduled52.50
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total5.00 Contact Total87.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  ELEC 67A

Catalog Description:
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An introductory course in theory and practice of radio frequency and wireless communication technologies.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of ELEC 54B


Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
An introductory course in theory and practice of radio frequency and wireless communication technologies.
(Grade Only)

Prerequisites:Course Completion of ELEC 54B
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1.  Describe the various modulation techniques used in two-way and point-to-point microwave
    communications
2.  Describe the function of key circuits used in radio frequency (RF) transmitters and receivers
3.  Evaluate transmission signals, transmission lines, and antennas
4.  Utilize network antenna analyzer for performance sweeps of antennas and transmission lines
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Construct and analyze fundamental circuits used in RF communication devices
2. Perform measurements of various radio parameters such as deviation, carrier frequency,
    receive sensitivity, forward and reflected power
3. Assemble coaxial connectors onto braided and heliax cable types
4. Assemble ethernet cables and perform microwave dish alignments
5. Test and identify common faults within coaxial cables and antennas
6. Identify and operate common test equipment used in communications system

Topics and Scope
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I. Fundamentals of Communications
    A. Understanding of decibels in gain and attenuation
    B. Tuned circuits
    C. Filters
    D. Phase Locked Loop
    E. Fourier theory
    F. Wavelength and critical cable length
II. Modulation Fundamentals
    A. Amplitude modulation (AM)
         1. Modulation index
         2. Single sideband modulation
    B. Frequency modulation (FM)
         1. Phase modulation
         2. Modulation index and sidebands
    C. Digital modulation (DM)
         1. Digital coding
         2. FSK, QPSK, QAM
         3. FDMA, TDMA, CDMA
III. RF Propagation and Path Analyses - Antennas Systems
    A. RF wave propagation
    B. Common antenna types and patterns
    C. Microwave and waveguide systems
    D. Transmission lines and connector types
    E. Construction and best practices to installation
    F. Performance testing
 
Laboratory Material:
I.     Crystal filters
II.    AM modulation and demodulation
III.   Differential modulator
IV.   FM modulation and demodulation
V.    Phase Locked Loop
VI.   Class C amplifier and RF mixers
VII.  Transmission lines and connectors
VIII. Cable loss, distance to fault measurements
IX.    Complex load measurements
X.     Radio performance and FCC testing

Assignments:
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Lecture-Related Assignments:
1. Assigned readings (20-30 pages per week)
2. Homework: collect, analyze, and validate data against spec sheets and by calculations
    (1-2 per week)
3. Quizzes (2-4); exam(s) (0-2)
4. Final exam
 
Lab-Related Assignments:
1. Weekly lab participation
2. Write lab reports (8-14)
3. Skill demonstration(s) (1-2)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
20 - 30%
Lab Reports
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
30 - 40%
Homework
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
10 - 20%
Skill demonstration(s)
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
20 - 30%
Quizzes, 0 -2 exam(s), final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 10%
Lab participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Principles of Electronic Communications Systems. 4th ed. Frenzel Jr, Louis. McGraw Hill. 2015 (classic)
 
Experiments Manual for Principles of Electronic Communications Systems. 4th ed. Frenzel Jr, Louis. McGraw Hill. 2015 (classic)

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