Basic Wireless Communication for Microcontrollers

by Sean H. Breheny, KA3YXM

Table of Contents

NOTE: Last updated February 22, 2002

PLEASE NOTE: I am a graduate student writing this in my spare time. I have most of the text written but not converted to HTML. I am making my best effort to get this all up on the web as soon as I can, but right now most of the links are broken, and much has not been proofread. For some idea of what the tutorial is like, take a look at Chapter 1, which is completed except for a few minor corrections and the bibliography. I have tried to convert most of the inactive links into plain text to prevent confusion, but might not have done that in all cases. Thank you for your patience.

Introduction
Chapter 1 - Electricity and Magnetism
Introduction
Fundamental Concepts: E and B Fields
DC Electric and Magnetic Circuits
AC(Time Varying) E and B Fields
The Postulates
Impedance of Free Space
EM Wave Propagation
Interaction with Matter
Boundary Conditions,Attenuation, and the Skin Effect
Is There a Frequency Limit?
Dispersion
Solving General Problems
Bibliography
Chapter 2 - Design Project 1: Crystal Radio Receiver
Project Overview
Radio Link Analysis
Basic Noise Overview
AC Circuit Theory
Impedance Matching
Tuned Circuits and Basic Filters
Basic Antennas
What is Ground?
Transmission Lines
Modulation and Detection
Design, Construction, and Testing
Bibliography
Chapter 3 - Design Project 2: 49MHz Slow-speed Data Link
Project Overview
Serial Communications
Transmitter and Receiver Types
Two Port Models
Transistor Models
Small-signal and Power Amplifiers
Oscillators
System Noise Analysis
Limiting and Automatic Gain Control(AGC)
Assesing Transmitter and Receiver Performance
Advanced Filters
Digital Modulators and Demodulators
HF and VHF Construction Techniques
Design, Construction, and Testing
Bibliography
Chapter 4 - Design Project 3: 900MHz Automatic Error-Correcting Data Link
Project Overview
Specifications
Prebuilt RF Modules
Synchronization
Error Control Coding
Communications Protocols and Networks
Advanced Antennas
PCB Layout
PC Interface
Final Hardware Design
Final Protocol Design
Final Microcontroller Code
Testing
Bibliography
Chapter 5 - Miscellaneous Topics
Brief Introduction to Miscellaneous Topics Section
Spread Spectrum, Ultra-wideband(UWB), and Advanced Modulation Types
RF and Microwave Integrated Circuits
S Parameters and Transmission Lines in Circuits
Phase Locked Loops(PLLs) and Synthesizers
UHF and Microwave Techniques
Microwave Antennas
Very Short-Range Transmission
Zero Power Transmission
Digital Signal Processing and Software Radio
Infra-Red(IR) Communications
TV/Stereo Remote Controls
Standards(Bluetooth,IRDA,GSM,etc.)
Spectrum and Regulatory Information
Test Equipment
Tips and Tricks
Appendices
Appendix 1: Math Review
Appendix 2: Test Equipment and Component Suppliers
Appendix 3: Design Tables(Filters, Antennas, etc.)
Appendix 4: RF and Antenna Links
Appendix 5: Microcontroller Links
Appendix 6: General Electronics Links

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