Introduction to Wireless System Design
Description
Technical insights on the vital aspects of hardware and software components in modern wireless system design
Introduction to Wireless System Design: From Circuits to Web-based Applications provides an introductory level overview for readers to acquire technical insights on the most important aspects of modern wireless system design from an industrial and practical perspective.
Various functional blocks of wireless systems and products are discussed and analyzed with practical examples of commercial products. Software development is addressed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the development of complete wireless systems. The book concludes by presenting practical design examples followed by future trends.
Core topics covered in this book include wireless standards for GPS, Bluetooth, cellular, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, LoRaWAN, Sigfox, and NBIoT; major transmitter issues including power gain, power efficiency, harmonic prevention, and suppression; and server software development for building dynamic web interfaces using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Written by three highly qualified authors, the book also includes information on:
- System characteristics of hardware receivers, including noise temperature, bandwidth, figure, and sensitivity
- Components of circuit blocks in hardware transmitters, including oscillator, modulator, buffer amplifier, frequency multiplier, power amplifier, output filter
- Types of antennas, including dipole, monopole, loop, beam-forming, and miniature designs like patch, inverted-L, inverted-F, and meandered line
- Elements of software architecture design, including user interface, data and sequence flow, and timing diagrams
- Smartphone application software development, with insight on tools such as Android Studio, Flutter, React, and Swift
Introduction to Wireless System Design: From Circuits to Web-based Applications is a highly practical and actionable resource on the subject for practicing engineers and programmers, as well as graduate and undergraduate students in related programs of study.
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Persons
Henry Lau is the CEO of Lexiwave Technology, Inc., and he has extensive experience in managing and developing IoT and AI systems.
Ludy Liu is a Senior Engineer at Veoneer. She has a breadth of experience in architecting software solutions for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and AD (Autonomous Driving) Systems.
Keith Chan is the Chief System Specialist at Lexiwave Technology (Hong Kong) Limited.
Content
About the Authors xiii
Preface xv
Acknowledgment xix
Part I Wireless Standards 1
1 Wireless Standards 3
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Wireless Technology 4
1.2.1 Types of IoT Technologies 4
1.2.2 Type of Networks 6
1.2.3 Wireless Standards for IoT Technologies 8
1.2.3.1 Global Positioning System (GPS) 9
1.2.3.2 Bluetooth 9
1.2.3.3 Cellular 4G/5G 11
1.2.3.4 Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) 12
1.2.3.5 Long-Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) 13
1.2.3.6 Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) 14
1.2.3.7 Sigfox 15
1.2.3.8 Zigbee 16
1.3 Regulatory Requirements 17
1.4 Certification and Type Approval 18
1.5 Regulatory Bodies 20
References 20
Part II Hardware Design 23
2 Receiver Design 25
2.1 Introduction 25
2.2 Critical Circuit Blocks 26
2.2.1 Antenna Input and Filter 26
2.2.2 Low Noise Amplifier 27
2.2.3 Mixer 29
2.2.4 IF Stages 30
2.2.5 IF Amplifier 31
2.2.6 Second IF Circuitry 32
2.2.7 IF Detector 32
2.3 System Architectures and Design Considerations 33
2.3.1 Heterodyne Receivers 33
2.3.1.1 Image Frequency 34
2.3.1.2 Image Rejection 35
2.3.1.3 Double-Conversion Receivers 36
2.3.2 Direct Conversion Receiver 37
2.3.2.1 Disadvantages of Direct Conversion Receiver 39
2.3.2.2 Design Examples of Direct Conversion Receiver 40
2.3.3 Image-Reject Receivers 41
2.3.3.1 Image Rejection Architectures 42
2.3.3.2 Complex Polyphase Filters 43
2.3.3.3 Disadvantages of Low-IF Image-Reject Receiver 44
References 45
3 Transmitter Design 47
3.1 Introduction 47
3.2 Transmitter System and Considerations 48
3.2.1 Oscillator 48
3.2.2 Modulation and Modulators 49
3.2.2.1 Analog Modulation 50
3.2.2.2 Digital Modulation 51
3.2.3 Upconverter 53
3.2.4 Power Amplifier 54
3.2.5 Output Filtering 58
3.2.6 Other Considerations 58
3.3 Transmitter Architectures 60
3.3.1 Direct Conversion 60
3.3.1.1 Simplicity 61
3.3.1.2 Wideband Operation 61
3.3.1.3 Improved Phase Noise Characteristics 61
3.3.1.4 dc Offset 62
3.3.1.5 I/Q Imbalance 62
3.3.1.6 Frequency Pulling 62
3.3.2 Heterodyne Transmitters 63
3.4 Transceiver Architectures 64
3.4.1 Full-Duplex/Half-Duplex Architecture 64
3.4.2 Simplex Architecture 65
3.4.3 Transmitter Example 66
3.4.4 Transceiver Example 69
References 73
4 Software-Defined Radio 75
4.1 Introduction 75
4.2 A New Radio 76
4.3 Concepts and Architecture 77
4.3.1 Direct Synthesis 77
4.3.2 Building Blocks 80
4.3.2.1 Antenna 80
4.3.2.2 RF Front-end 81
4.3.2.3 Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog Conversion 82
4.3.2.4 Digital Front-end 83
4.3.2.5 Signal Processing 84
4.4 Design Example 85
References 90
5 Antennas for Handheld Wireless Devices 93
5.1 Introduction 93
5.2 Antenna Fundamentals 94
5.2.1 Source of Radiation 95
5.2.2 Characteristic of Radiation 96
5.3 Parameters and Specifications 97
5.3.1 Radiation Resistance 97
5.3.2 Efficiency 98
5.3.3 Directivity 98
5.3.4 Polarization 98
5.3.5 Antenna Gain 99
5.3.6 Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) 99
5.4 Types of Antenna and Performance 100
5.4.1 Basic Antennas 100
5.4.1.1 Dipole 100
5.4.1.2 Monopole 100
5.4.1.3 Loop Antenna 101
5.4.1.4 Patch Antenna 102
5.4.2 Miniature Antennas 103
5.4.2.1 Chip Antenna 103
5.4.2.2 Inverted-L Antenna 105
5.4.2.3 Inverted-F Antenna 106
5.4.2.4 Meandered Line Antennas 107
5.4.3 Antenna Array 107
5.5 Practical Design Considerations for Handheld Wireless Devices 110
References 111
6 PCB Design for Wireless Devices 113
6.1 Introduction 113
6.2 RF PCB Design Fundamentals 114
6.2.1 Layer Stack-up Assignment 114
6.2.2 Component Placement 117
6.2.3 Grounding Methods and Techniques 118
6.2.4 Power Plane 122
6.2.5 Bypassing and Decoupling 123
6.3 PCB Design for Other Circuits 126
6.3.1 IF Circuits 126
6.3.2 Baseband Circuits 126
6.3.3 Audio Circuits 127
6.3.4 Power Supplies 127
References 128
Part III Software Design 129
7 Embedded Software Development 131
7.1 Introduction 131
7.2 Embedded System and Devices 132
7.3 Design Flow of Application Software of Embedded Systems 133
7.3.1 Understand the Requirements 133
7.3.2 System Architecture Definition 134
7.3.2.1 Choice of Architecture Style 134
7.3.2.2 Event-Driven Architecture 134
7.3.2.3 Component-Based Architecture 135
7.3.2.4 Real-Time Architecture 136
7.3.2.5 Hierarchical Architecture 136
7.3.2.6 Layered Architecture 138
7.4 Software Architecture Design Example 140
7.4.1 High-Level Block Diagram 140
7.4.2 Tracking Watch for Construction Worker Safety and Productivity 141
7.4.3 Defining the Subsystems 142
7.4.4 Designing the Hardware of the Tracking Watch 143
7.4.5 Interfacing Requirements 144
7.4.6 Timing Requirements 145
7.4.7 Software Design Strategies 145
7.5 State Machine Versus Real-Time Operating System 146
7.6 Selection of MCU or SoC 147
References 149
8 Embedded Software Optimization 151
8.1 Introduction 151
8.2 Software Optimization 152
8.2.1 Benchmarking of an Embedded System 154
8.2.2 Optimizing Memory Management 155
8.2.2.1 Minimizing Memory Access Latency 156
8.2.2.2 Speeding Up Memory Access for Critical Tasks 156
8.2.2.3 SDRAM, SRAM, or DDR 156
8.2.2.4 Bridging the Performance Gap Between SDRAM and SRAM 157
8.2.2.5 Tightly-Coupled Memory 158
8.2.3 Optimizing Data Structure 158
8.2.4 Minimizing Power Consumption 160
8.2.4.1 Low-Power Mode 161
8.2.4.2 Watchdog Timer 161
8.2.5 Leveraging Hardware Accelerator 162
8.2.5.1 Filter Accelerators 163
8.2.5.2 Network Processors 164
8.2.5.3 Floating-Point Units 164
8.2.5.4 Fast Fourier Transform Accelerators 165
8.2.5.5 Fixed-Point Accelerators 165
8.2.5.6 Multicore Accelerators 166
8.3 Programming Languages 166
8.4 Development Tools 167
8.5 Debugging Tools 169
8.6 Embedded Software Testing Strategies 170
References 172
9 Server Software Development 175
9.1 Introduction 175
9.2 Website Development 176
9.3 Back-end Development 176
9.3.1 Typical Web Servers 176
9.3.2 Apache Versus Nginx 177
9.3.3 XAMPP Server 178
9.3.4 Database 179
9.3.5 Database Infrastructure 179
9.3.6 Difference Between SQL and MySQL 180
9.3.7 MySQL Security Improvement 181
9.3.8 Some Web Application Vulnerabilities 181
9.3.8.1 SQL Injection 181
9.3.8.2 Parameterized Query (Prepared Statement) 182
9.3.8.3 String Escaping 182
9.3.8.4 DDoS Attacks 183
9.3.8.5 Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) 183
9.3.9 Limitations 183
9.4 Front-end Design 184
9.4.1 Building Dynamic Web Interface by HTML, CSS, and JavaScript 184
9.4.2 Cascading Style Sheets 184
9.4.3 JavaScript 186
9.4.4 The Rise of Frameworks 188
9.4.5 Dynamic Presentation Using AJAX 188
9.4.5.1 Asynchronous JavaScript and Extensible Markup Language (AJAX) 188
9.4.5.2 JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) 189
9.4.5.3 AJAX Call in jQuery 190
9.5 Responsive Web Design Using Bootstrap 192
9.5.1 Bootstrap 193
9.6 Network Security 194
9.6.1 Device Security 194
9.6.2 Data Content Security 194
9.6.2.1 Symmetric Encryption (Private Key Encryption) 196
9.6.2.2 Asymmetric Encryption (Public Key Encryption) 196
9.6.3 Operational Behavior Safety 196
References 196
10 Smartphone Application Software Development 199
10.1 Introduction 199
10.2 Smartphone Application Development 199
10.3 Tools for Application Software Development 200
10.4 Android Studio 200
10.4.1 Android Programming on Simple TCP Client 201
10.4.2 Explanation of the Code 201
10.4.3 Python Code for Echo Server 208
10.5 React Native 210
10.5.1 React Native Programming on MQTT Client 211
10.5.2 Explanation of the Code 212
10.5.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of React Native 216
10.6 Flutter 218
10.6.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Flutter and React Native 218
10.7 Swift 219
10.7.1 Xcode 219
10.7.2 Development Environment 219
10.7.3 Xcode Programming on Simple TCP Client 220
10.8 Other Development Considerations 223
References 225
Part IV Putting into Practice 227
11 Practical Design Examples in Modern Wireless System Design 229
11.1 Introduction 229
11.2 IoT Technologies for Smart Cities 230
11.3 Smart Lamp Post 231
11.3.1 Hardware Design 233
11.3.2 Firmware Design 236
11.3.3 Webserver Design 236
11.3.4 Webpage Design 237
11.4 Smart RFID System 238
11.4.1 Hardware Design 240
11.4.1.1 Passive RFID Tag Design 240
11.4.1.2 Smart Antenna 249
11.4.2 AI Design 253
11.4.3 Indoor Localization 253
11.4.4 AI Algorithm 254
11.4.5 Localization Testing and Verification 256
References 263
12 Future Trends 265
12.1 Introduction 265
12.2 Distributed System 266
12.2.1 Distributed Computing 267
12.2.2 Software for Distributed Systems 267
12.2.2.1 Middleware 267
12.2.2.2 Distributed File Systems 267
12.2.2.3 Distributed Databases 267
12.2.2.4 Distributed Computing Frameworks 268
12.2.2.5 Orchestration Tools 268
12.2.3 Examples of Distributed Applications in Industry 268
12.3 Cloud Computing 268
12.3.1 Typical Cloud Server 269
12.3.1.1 Infrastructure-as-a-Service 270
12.3.1.2 Platform-as-a-Service 270
12.3.1.3 Software-as-a-Service 270
12.4 Role of Cloud Computing in IoT 270
12.5 Blockchain 271
12.5.1 Technology Highlights 272
12.5.2 Structure of a Block 273
12.5.3 Leverage Blockchain Technology for IoT Devices 273
12.6 Artificial Intelligence 275
12.6.1 Machine learning, Deep Learning, and Artificial Intelligence 275
12.6.2 Machine Learning 276
12.6.3 Machine Learning Algorithms 277
12.6.4 Deep Learning 277
12.6.4.1 Convolutional Neural Networks 278
12.6.4.2 Long Short-Term Memory 279
12.6.5 Other Mainstream AI Algorithms 280
12.6.5.1 Transformers 280
12.6.5.2 Explainable AI (XAI) 281
12.6.5.3 Federated Learning 281
12.6.5.4 Continual Learning 281
12.6.5.5 Hybrid Architectures 281
12.7 Edge Computing 283
References 284
Index 287
Preface
Drawing on over 60 years of combined, award-winning experience at the forefront of electronics and information technology, we bridge the critical gap between hardware and software. In today's competitive landscape, true innovation in wireless communication happens at the intersection of these two domains, and expertise in only one of them is no longer sufficient. This book offers a practical, hands-on guide that provides a clear framework for this integration, written for engineers, programmers, and managers. We guide you through the entire technology stack-from the foundational hardware of electronic circuits and devices to the architecture of complex systems, and from low-level embedded software to sophisticated server platforms and mobile applications. With an emphasis on practical applications over dense theory, this book is rich with real-world design examples and insightful discussions, providing the comprehensive, cross-disciplinary knowledge required to develop superior products. It is designed to equip you with the understanding needed to build the robust, efficient, and innovative wireless solutions of the future. For those wishing to explore specific topics in greater detail, each chapter provides curated bibliographic references for further study.
This book is organized into 4 sections and 12 chapters, covering Wireless Standards, Hardware Design, Software Design, and Putting into Practice.
The opening section, Wireless Standards, consists of Chapter 1, which introduces the fundamentals of wireless technology in the Internet of Things (IoT). The chapter provides an overview of network topologies, major wireless standards, and the regulatory landscape of compliance and certification. Understanding these core concepts is essential for appreciating the role of performance and reliability in developing compliant IoT systems.
The Hardware Design section begins with Chapter 2, which focuses on receiver design in communication systems, emphasizing circuit blocks and system architectures. It examines essential circuit components and discusses various system architectures and design considerations, such as heterodyne, direct conversion, and image-reject receivers. This chapter offers a thorough understanding of receiver design, laying the groundwork for addressing the demands of modern wireless systems.
As a complement to receiver design, Chapter 3 focuses on transmitter design, considering the system as a whole and its performance factors. It explores critical building blocks like the oscillator, modulation techniques, and upconverters. Power amplification, output filtering, and other considerations are also examined. Different transmitter architectures, including direct conversion and heterodyne, are discussed. The concept of transceiver architectures is introduced, along with various configurations. This provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of transmitter system design, serving as a foundation for advanced concepts and techniques in future designs.
Chapter 4 provides an overview of a new radio, the software-defined radio (SDR) and its advantages over conventional radio systems. SDR relies on digital signal processing algorithms, reducing the need for analog hardware and improving reliability and spectrum utilization. The underlying concepts and architecture of SDR are explored, including key building blocks such as antennas, radio frequency (RF) front ends, and analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters. The role of software-defined antennas and the importance of the RF front end in signal transmission and reception are discussed. Signal processing functions in SDR systems, including modulation, demodulation, and error correction coding, are examined.
As one of the key elements in wireless systems, Chapter 5 focuses on antennas for handheld wireless devices, highlighting their crucial role in ensuring efficient and reliable communication. It explores the fundamentals of antenna radiation, parameters affecting performance, and different types of antennas commonly used in handheld devices. Additionally, practical design considerations for overcoming size constraints in portable devices are addressed. The chapter provides valuable insights for optimizing antenna performance in handheld wireless devices.
Chapter 6 provides an overview of printed circuit board (PCB) design for wireless devices, emphasizing their role in performance and functionality. It discusses key RF PCB design considerations such as layer stack-up, component placement, grounding, power plane design, and decoupling strategies. The chapter addresses challenges like high-frequency signals, signal integrity, power distribution, and interference mitigation, highlighting the importance of proper grounding and noise reduction techniques. It also covers design strategies for various circuit types, including intermediate frequency, RF, baseband, audio, and power supply circuits. Overall, the chapter equips engineers with the essential knowledge needed for creating high-performance PCB layouts.
As an opening chapter of Software Design section, Chapter 7 highlights the vital role of embedded software design in modern electronic devices, covering applications from consumer products to industrial systems. It defines embedded systems as specialized platforms optimized for specific tasks with constraints on processing power, memory, and energy. The chapter outlines the design flow, starting with requirement analysis and system architecture, and examines architectural styles like event-driven and real-time systems. It also discusses state machines versus real-time operating systems and factors influencing microcontroller or system-on-chip selection. By the end, readers will understand essential principles for effective embedded software development.
Chapter 8 examines key aspects of embedded software development, including optimization, development tools, debugging techniques, and testing strategies. It highlights the importance of optimizing software for real-time performance within limited central processing unit resources, addressing factors such as memory management and code efficiency. The role of development tools in streamlining software creation and testing is also discussed, along with effective debugging methods for diagnosing issues. The chapter emphasizes the necessity of thorough testing to ensure functionality and system integrity, aiming to equip developers with the essential knowledge and tools to enhance performance and reliability in embedded systems.
Chapter 9 offers a comprehensive exploration of the foundational concepts and technologies driving modern web development. It examines the key components of website creation, including the crucial distinction between back-end and front-end development. In the back-end section, the chapter delves into web servers, databases, and MySQL security, equipping readers with the knowledge to build robust and secure database infrastructures. The focus then shifts to front-end design, where core technologies like HyperText Markup Language, Cascading Style Sheets, and JavaScript are explored, along with front-end frameworks and responsive web design principles. Finally, the chapter addresses the critical topic of network security, ensuring readers understand the measures needed to protect web applications and data. Practical coding examples in the IoT context are provided throughout.
As a closing chapter of Software Design section, Chapter 10 offers an overview of mobile application development, with a focus on IoT applications. It defines mobile applications as software for smartphones and tablets, highlighting their role in providing services similar to those on personal computers. With advancements in big data, mobility, and cloud services, mobile applications have become crucial in modern information technology. The chapter examines tools, frameworks, and development environments for various platforms, including Android, iOS, and cross-platform solutions, while also addressing the integration of mobile applications with external services to help readers create versatile IoT applications.
Putting into Practice section comprises Chapters 11 and 12, both of which provide invaluable insights into the application of concepts and techniques in IoT and wireless solution development.
Chapter 11 presents practical design examples to highlight the importance of concepts and techniques discussed in previous chapters related to the IoT and wireless solution development. It focuses on two smart city projects: the Smart Lamp Post (SLP) and the Smart Radio Frequency Identification System (SRFID). As urban areas continue to grow, these technologies enhance efficiency, sustainability, and economic growth by optimizing systems such as energy consumption and transportation. The SLP integrates lighting management with environmental monitoring, while the SRFID improves asset tracking. These case studies demonstrate the integration of hardware, firmware, artificial intelligence (AI), and software to create innovative urban solutions. Readers will gain insights to apply these concepts in their own projects, empowering them to develop effective IoT and wireless solutions for modern urban challenges.
As the concluding chapter of the book, Chapter 12 explores significant advancements in distributed computing, cloud technology, blockchain, and AI, all of which play crucial roles in the expanding IoT landscape. It investigates...
