Start Learning Wireless Communications and RF Electronics

[roeb]

Hey guys,

I'm a student in electrical engineering and I'm interested in learning about wireless communications and RF electronics but I don't really know where to start. I've taken three semesters of engineering electromagnetics but I still wouldn't say that I know much of anything about wireless communications. My school offers a communications course but I don't think I'll have time to take it and it seems like it's more focused on software rather than hardware anyways. Anyone know where I can start? I've taken a look at a few RF books that are geared towards hobbyists but all they seem to do is take a bunch of FM transmitter schematics from the internet and they fail to explain anything.

Thanks
-roeb

 

[Averagesupernova]

Pick up some books from the ARRL. Even if you have no interest in becoming an amateur radio operator, there is a ton of info in some of their books. Every time I pick up one of their books that I have had for years I still learn something. In some cases I've found the older handbooks, I have some from the 70s, are more useful than the newer ones. Of course that is my opinion based on my specific interests.

 

[f95toli]

The standard advice is to buy Pozar's book on microwave engineering.
Once you understand the basics you can then start thinking about antennas etc

 

[waht]

I still look at ARRL from time to time, and always discover something new. RF Circuit Design by Bowick, is pretty short but it's written in the HH Art of Electronics style.

RF Circuit Design by Ludwig/Bretchko is pretty rigorous, and indispensable.

 

[Averagesupernova]

I find that there are enough lower frequency things covered in ARRL that it is a good stepping stone compared to jumping right into microwave stuff.

 

[jsgruszynski]

Pick up some books from the ARRL. Even if you have no interest in becoming an amateur radio operator, there is a ton of info in some of their books. Every time I pick up one of their books that I have had for years I still learn something. In some cases I've found the older handbooks, I have some from the 70s, are more useful than the newer ones. Of course that is my opinion based on my specific interests.

I'd second the ARRL recommendation. It's how I started to learn RF as a teen.

 

[Emicro]

When I was in college, one of my professors was Wayne Thomasi. He wrote a book that is easy to understand and has some very advanced explinations. The name of the book is Electronic Communications Systems: Fundamentals Through Advanced. Its a bit pricey, but I still use mine.