Digital Radio Systems on a Chip

Book excerpt: This book focuses on a specific engineering problem that is and will continue to be important in the forth-coming information age: namely, the need for highly integrated radio systems that can be embedded in wireless devices for various applications, including portable mobile multimedia wireless communications, wireless appliances, digital cellular, and digital cordless. Traditionally, the design of radio IC’s involves a team of engineers trained in a wide range of fields that include networking, communication systems, radio propagation, digital/analog circuits, RF circuits, and process technology. However as radio IC’s become more integrated, the need for a diverse skill set and knowledge becomes essential for professionals as well as students to broaden beyond their trained area of expertise and to become proficient in related areas. The key to designing an optimized, economical solution for radio systems on a chip hinges on the designer’s thorough understanding of the complex trade-offs from communication systems down to circuits. To acquire the insight and understanding of the complex system and circuit trade-offs, a designer must digest volumes of books covering diverse topics, such as communications theory, radio propagation, and digital/analog/RF circuits. While books are available today that cover the individual areas, they tend to be narrowly focused and do not provide the necessary insight in the specific problem of integrating a complete radio system on a chip.