7 Radio Frequency Awareness courses in Sheffield

Satellite communications training course description This course starts by recaping some of the essential satellite knowledge required and proceeds to explore the deeper aspects of satellite communications, including hardware, communications and error control coding. What will you learn Explain how satellite communications work. Explain how RF works Explain the architecture of satellite systems. Use spectrum analysers. Satellite communications training course details Who will benefit: Anyone working with satellite systems. Prerequisites: None. Duration 3 days Satellite communications training course contents Basic Principles of Satellite Communications GEO, MEO and LEO satellites. Launching and orbits. Frequency bands and polarisation. Satellite footprints. Multibeam coverage. Power spectra. Link budgets. Modulation and coding. Access technologies. Earth station components. Space segment components. Satellite system services. Satellite operators. Radio frequency propagation Electromagnetic waves principles and generation. Reception of the EM wave. Space wave, sky wave and surface wave theory. The isotropic radiator. Types of antennae and their basic properties. Polar diagrams. International frequency allocation. Spectrum management and utilisation. Radio wave propagation. Line of sight propagation. Propagation for satellite comms. Free space path loss. Path attenuation. Noise and Interference. Power and its measurement. Satellite antennae and other hardware Power flux density. Effective aperture. Horn antennae. Parabolic reflector. Offset feed. Cassegrain and Gregorian antennae. Antenna feed systems - Horn, TMC, OMJ and polarizer. Antenna steering and mount systems. Array antennae. LNA, LNB, LNC. Microwave tubes - TWT and Klystron. Polarizers. Earth and Space Segments and the link Earth station antennae. Transponders. Antennae sub systems. Power supplies. Link budgets. System noise. System losses. Interference. Satellite switching. Ground Communications Equipment Baseband signals. Analogue and Digital systems. Overview of modulation - AM, FM, PM. Digital Modulation. Frequency conversion -up and down conversion. Filters, mixers, local oscillators, IF amplifiers and group delay equalisers. Access methods - single and multiple access systems. Data networks. Television transmission - analogue and digital. Digital signal compression. MPEG processing. Satellite Navigation Longitude, latitude, altitude, GPS, How GPS works, timing, alternatives to GPS. Mobile satellite services Voice and Phones, BGAN, TV, GPS to program aerial, VSAT. Error Control Coding The need for coding. Linear block codes. Cyclic codes. Convolution codes. Interleaving and concatenated codes. Coding gain. Turbo codes. Test and measurement Theory and practice of Spectrum Analysers.

CWDP training course description The CWDP course consists of instructor-led training applicable to the design of wireless LANs using the latest technologies including 802.11n and 802.11ac. The course goes in-depth into the design process and provides attendees with the knowledge needed to plan, deploy and test modern 802.11-based networks. It also prepares students for the CWDP examination. Students who complete the course will acquire the necessary skills for preparing, planning performing and documenting site surveys and wireless LAN design procedures. What will you learn Design enterprise WiFi networks. Select appropriate antennas and Access points. Perform site surveys. Describe the security requirements required for enterprise networks. Test, validate and troubleshoot installations. CWDP training course details Who will benefit: Anyone looking for the skills to analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize any enterprise level Wi-Fi network, no matter which brand of equipment your organization deploys. Anyone looking to become a CWNP. Prerequisites: CWNA Duration 5 days CWDP training course contents WLAN design overview Importance of good design, Impact of bad design, Design process, Design skills, Design toolkit. Requirements analysis Pre-planning, Customer interaction, Requirements gathering, Discovering existing systems, Documenting the environment, Defining constraints, Creating documentation. Designing for clients and applications Client Device types, Application types, Application-specific design, High density design issues. Designing for industry Standard corporate networks, Industry-specific designs, Government, Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail, Public hotspots, Transportation, Mobile offices, Outdoor and mesh, Remote networks and branch offices, Last-miles / ISP and bridging. Vendor selection processes Defining vendor issues, Operational planes, Design models, Understanding architectures. Radio Frequency (RF) planning RF spectrum, RF behaviors, Modulation and coding schemes, RF accessories, Throughput factors. WLAN hardware selection Antennas, 802.11n and antennas, Choosing Aps, Powering Aps. Site surveys Site survey tools, Site survey preparation, Predictive site surveys, Manual site surveys, Site survey principles and processes. Designing for Quality of Service (QoS) QoS overview, QoS application points, Roaming support. Designing for security Bad security, Authentication solutions, Encryption solutions, Security best practices, Intrusion prevention. Installation testing, validation and troubleshooting Network health status, Troubleshooting and validation process, Troubleshooting and validation tools, Common problems. Hands-on lab exercises Hands-on labs depend on the audience and can include use of: Spectrum analyzers, Protocol analyzers, Site Survey software, Diagramming software, Various wireless access points, Various wireless adapters and antennas.

CWAP training course description This WiFi analysis course consists of hands-on learning using the latest enterprise wireless LAN analysis and troubleshooting tools. The course takes an in-depth look at the functionality of WLANs, intended operation of the 802.11 protocol and Wi-Fi Alliance specifications, WLAN frame formatting and structure, troubleshooting methodology, and protocol analysis. It also includes extensive training in modern spectrum analysis with a focus on advanced RF behaviour analysis, data collection methods, interpreting spectrum plots and charts, and understanding advanced features of WLAN spectrum analysers. What will you learn Analyse WiFi frames using Wireshark. Explain 802.11 protocol operation. Troubleshoot WiFi networks using Wireshark. Troubleshoot WiFi networks using spectrum analysers. CWAP training course details Who will benefit: Technical Network Staff Anyone looking to become a CWAP Prerequisites: Certified Wireless Network Administrator Duration 4 days CWAP training course contents Principles of WLAN Communication 802.11 Working Group, OSI reference model and the 802.11 PHY and MAC, Communication sublayers and data units, WLAN architecture components, Organization of station forwarding Addressing and internetworking operation, Modern WLAN product architectures. Physical (PHY) and MAC Layer Formats and Technologies Physical layer functions, Preamble function and format, Header purpose and structure, Analysis of PHY problems, Physical PPDU formats, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, MAC frame components, MAC encapsulation, Fields and subfields of the MAC header, Frame Control, Frame types and subtypes and their uses, Addressing, Frame body, Data frame format, Control frame format, Management frame format, Information elements and fields. Beaconing and synchronization Scanning, Client state machine, 802.11 contention, QoS, Admission control, Band steering and airtime fairness mechanisms Fragmentation, Acknowledgments and Block acknowledgments, Protection mechanisms and backward compatibility, Power management, Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC), Security components, methods, and exchanges, Roaming procedures exchanges, Future protocol enhancements. 802.11n Transmit beamforming, Spatial multiplexing, Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC), Space-Time Block Coding, 40 MHz channels, Frame aggregation, HT-OFDM format, Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS), HT frame formatting and more. Protocol Analysis Tools and Methodology Troubleshooting methodology, Protocol analyser types, Analysis NIC/adapter selection and constraints, Interpreting results based on location, Analyzer settings and features, Filtering and channel scanning, Interpreting decodes, Using advanced analysis features, Assessing WLAN health and behaviour factors, Evaluating network statistics, Troubleshooting common problems, Wired analysis to support wireless network issues. Spectrum Analysis Tools and Methodology Radio frequency behaviour review, Visualizing RF domains using spectrum measurement tools, Spectrum analyser types and operation, Analyser specifications and characteristics, Understanding spectrum data presentation, Interpreting plots and charts, Common WLAN spectrum analyser features, Identifying transmit patterns, Device classification and network impact, Recognizing transmit signatures. Hands on lab exercises Wireshark Setup, Use, and In-Depth Analysis Wireshark is fundamental to troubleshooting. Labs include: - Capabilities, configuration, and data display - Opening, collecting, saving, and modifying capture files. - Filtering traffic, and using colouring rules as analysis aides. - Live captures based on a set of desired collection criteria. - Identify and isolate network problems. - Conversation analysis. - Remote packet capture with an AP. Understanding Frame Components Familiarity with the frame structure and contents is essential in real -world troubleshooting efforts. Labs include: - Understanding the MAC header - Comparing the three major frame types and their subtypes - Analysing frame formats of individual frame types - Analysing 802.11n frame components - Additional information is reported by protocol analysers - Information not visible in protocol analysers Frame Exchanges Understanding frame exchange rules and behaviors is critical to identifying expected and unexpected. It is also necessary to understand what is normal so that aberrations can be properly troubleshot. Labs include: - Connectivity exchanges and sequences - Legacy and modern security exchanges - ERP and HT protection mechanisms - Power save behaviour - Acknowledgments, block acknowledgments, and supporting action frames - Dynamic rate switching - Band steering Troubleshooting Common Problems This lab exposes students to hands-on troubleshooting skills by setting up common problems in WLANs and allowing students to attempt to solve them. - Trouleshooting connectivity exchanges - Troubleshooting 802.1X and EAP exchanges - Troubleshooting roaming Spectrum Analyzer Setup, Use, and In-Depth Analysis Specifically, it will explore the plots and charts used to display spectrum data and how to interpret this data to define a transmitter's impact on the network. The following are covered: - Installing the analyser and using display and navigation - The 'RF perspective' provided by each plot and chart - Using built-in features and automated device identification - Characterizing the behaviours of an interference source - Assessing the impact of an interference source - Determining the impact of transmitter proximity on interference. - Identifying signatures of common transmitters - Remote spectrum analysis with an AP

CWISA training course description This CWISA course covers wireless technologies with reference to IoT. It examines from an IoT perspective how wireless works, and is an excellent introduction to IoT for the wireless engineer. Topics range from wireless technologies, RF, to mobile networks, IoT, and security. What will you learn Describe wireless networking and IoT technologies. Explain basic RF communications. Plan wireless solutions. Describe how to implement wireless solutions. Use best practices in implementing wireless solutions. CWISA training course details Who will benefit: Anyone working with IoT technologies. Prerequisites: RF fundamentals. Duration 4 days CWISA training course contents Introduction to wireless technologies History of wireless, radio waves and frequencies, wireless technologies and related components, common components of wireless solutions, LAN networking requirements, Network security, Implementing wireless solutions, staging, documentation, security updates, Industry organizations, IEEE, compatibility and certification groups. Wireless network use cases Wireless BANs, Wireless PANs, Wireless LANs, Wireless MANs, Wireless WANs, Wireless sensor networks, New network driver-Internet of Things, IoT for industry (IIoT), IoT for connected vehicles, Residential environments, Retail, Education (K12), Higher education, Agriculture, Smart cities / Public access, Health care, Office buildings, Hospitality, Industry, Stadiums, arenas, and large public venues. Planning wireless solutions Identifying use cases and applications, common wireless requirements and constraints, performing a wireless system design, selecting and evaluating design parameters. RF communications RF wave characteristics, RF propagation behaviours, RF signal metrics, fundamentals of wireless modulation. other wireless carriers, common frequency bands. Radio frequency hardware Hardware levels, basic RF hardware components (circuit board level), RF link types (use category). RF device types. Mobile communications networks Mobile networks, LTE, 5G, Use cases. Short-range, low-rate, and low-power networks RF and speed, RF and range, RF and power, 802.11, 802.15.4, Bluetooth, LoRa (Long range) / LoRaWAN, ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, NB-IoT and LTE-M. Wireless sensor networks What is a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN)? WSN applications, Sensors and actuators, WSN architectures, Planning a WSN. Internet of Things (IoT) Internet of Things (IoT) defined, IoT history and its definition revisited, one more comment on the definition of IoT, IoT verticals, Oil & Gas, IoT structure/ architecture basics, IoT connected objects. Securing wireless networks Confidentiality, integrity and availability, Privacy, non-repudiation, authenticity & safety, Importance of authentication in wireless networks, Key cryptographic technologies & concepts, Authentication methods, Authorisation, OAuth 2.0 authorisation framework, monitoring. Troubleshooting wireless solutions Proper solutions design, designing and implementing wireless solutions, basic installation procedures, general configuration considerations, troubleshooting and remediation, troubleshoot common problems in wireless solutions. Programming, scripting and automation What is an API? categories of APIs, common API communication methods, choosing a language, why are we integrating systems? Application & integration architectures. Data structures & types, XML, YAML, API types.

RFID training course description This training course focuses on the technologies used in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). What will you learn Describe the RFID architecture. Design RFID systems. Evaluate tag types. Recognise common RFID problems. RFID training course details Who will benefit: RFID technologists and system engineers. Prerequisites: RF fundamentals. Duration 2 days RFID training course contents What is RFID? Review of RF basics, what is RFID, RFID history, RFID base system architecture, frequency bands used by RFID, comparison with barcodes. RFID applications Supply chain, asset tracking, theft reduction, retail, access control, tolls. Tags Tag features, types of tag, passive and active, chips, read only, read write, affixing tags, selecting location to affix a tag, tag orientation and location, tag stacking, impact of rate of movement, tag data formats. Interrogators/readers Interrogation zones, interrogator types, antennas, read distance tests, multiple interrogators, synchronisation, dense interrogator environment issues. RFID peripherals. Standards and regulations Global regulatory requirements, regional regulatory requirements, ISO, ETSI, FCC, EPC, safety regulations/issues. Testing and troubleshooting Read rate problems, improperly tagged items, tag failure. RFID system design Antenna types, interference, antenna location and spacing, how many antennas? How many interrogators? tag types, grounding considerations, cabling, site diagrams.

RF fundamentals training course description Radio Frequency engineering is an important yet often overlooked area in today's wireless world. This course provides a grounding in RF theory and practice for wireless, cellular and microwave systems. What will you learn Explain the basics of RF. Describe RF propagation and antenna principles. Calculate propagation losses and link budgets. Test RF systems. RF fundamentals training course details Who will benefit: Those working with wireless, cellular and microwave systems. Prerequisites: None. Duration 2 days RF fundamentals training course contents What is RF? Definition of RF, RF wave characteristics: Frequency, wavelength, power, phase, impedance, RF history, radio signals, frequency bands, safety issues, legal issues. RF systems Microwaves, cellular/mobile RF, WLANs, other fixed wireless networks, basic RF components. Hands on Building a basic WLAN network. RF system components Transmitters: Antennas: Isotropic, Dipole, how antennas achieve gain. Modulation Schemes, bandwidth, AM, FM, FSK, PSK, QAM, QPSK, interference, performance. Hands on Interference and performance. Multiple access schemes FDMA, CDMA, TDMA, CSMA/CA. Wireless systems Cellular (GSM, UMTS), Wifi, WiMax, others: GPS, DBS, RFID, radar, Bluetooth. Hands on cellular. Spread Spectrum technologies Spread spectrum benefits and disadvantages, how it works, Direct Sequence, Frequency Hopping, hybrids. RF propagation Models, link budget, Smith chart, RF matching with the Smith chart. cell capacity, tradeoffs: power vs. bandwidth, free space, reflection, diffraction, multipath cancellation, propagation prediction and measurement tools. Hands on Smith charts. RF testing Why power rather than voltage/current, units of power, dB and dBm power conversions. Test equipment: signal generators, power meters, network analysers, spectrum analysers. RF test setups: return loss, insertion loss. Hands on RF testing.

VSAT training course description This 2 day training course examines what VSAT is, its usages and users. It then looks at the hardware required for VSAT. What will you learn Explain how VSAT is used Describe the hardware required for VSAT operation. VSAT training course details Who will benefit: Anyone working with VSAT. Prerequisites: None. Duration 2 days VSAT training course contents Introduction History of PMR VSAT Introduction A Brief History Satellite Services Satellite Communications Satellite Footprint Radio Frequency Bands ITU Definitions VSAT Users What is a VSAT? VSATs - Usage VSATs - Users VSAT Hardware Typical System Hardware VSAT ODU and IDU VSAT Station Equipment Diplexer and Feed Horn Typical Waveguide Element Polarisation VSAT Hub Antenna Pointing Outdoor Unit Outdoor (continued) VSAT Network Earth Stations Indoor Unit VSAT Network Earth Stations Indoor Unit Element Hub Station Hub Sub-station Hub Options Hub Options (2) Hub Options (3) Temporary Mount