Students analyze a cartoon of a Rube Goldberg machine and a Python programming language script to practice engineering analysis. In both cases, they study the examples to determine how the different systems operate and the function of each component. This exercise in juxtaposition enables students to see the parallels between a more traditional mechanical engineering design and computer programming. Students also gain practice in analyzing two very different systems to fully understand how they work, similar to how engineers analyze systems and determine how they function and how changes to the system might affect the system.

Working in small groups, students complete and run functioning Python codes. They begin by determining the missing commands in a sample piece of Python code that doubles all the elements of a given input and sums the resulting values. Then students modify more advanced Python code, which numerically computes the slope of a tangent line by finding the slopes of progressively closer secant lines; to this code they add explanatory comments to describe the function of each line of code. This requires students to understand the logic employed in the Python code. Finally, students make modifications to the code in order to find the slopes of tangents to a variety of functions.

Instructional sequences are more coherent when students investigate compelling natural phenomena
(in science) or work on meaningful design problems (in engineering) by engaging in the science and
engineering practices. We refer to these phenomena and design problems here as ‘anchors.’ What
makes for a good phenomenon to anchor an investigation?

The ability to quantify the uncertainty in our models of nature is fundamental to many inference problems in Science and Engineering. In this course, we study advanced methods to represent, sample, update and propagate uncertainty. This is a “hands on” course: Methodology will be coupled with applications. The course will include lectures, invited talks, discussions, reviews and projects and will meet once a week to discuss a method and its applications.

Students explore the applications of quantum dots by researching a journal article and answering framing questions used in a classwide discussion. This "Harkness-method" discussion helps students become critical readers of scientific literature.

Delve into a microscopic world working with models that show how electron waves can tunnel through certain types of barriers. Learn about the novel devices and apparatuses that have been invented using this concept. Discover how tunneling makes it possible for computers to run faster and for scientists to look more deeply into the microscopic world.

RAISE (Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education) is a new MIT-wide initiative headquartered in the MIT Media Lab and in collaboration with the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing and MIT Open Learning. MIT researchers continually develop curriculum modules and associated teaching materials that are available to all K-12 educators for free under a Creative Commons license.

Students practice converting between RGB and hexadecimal (hex) formats. They learn about mixing primary colors in order to get the full spectrum of colors and how to average pixel values.

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn about RNAi's potential to treat a wide range of genetic and infectious diseases.

Using a systems framework, this textbook provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the performance, analysis, and design of radio systems for students and practicing engineers. Presented within a consistent framework, the first part of the book describes the fundamentals of the subject: propagation, noise, antennas, and modulation. The analysis and design of radios including RF circuit design and signal processing is covered in the second half of the book.

Key features
- Numerous examples within the text involve realistic analysis and design activities, and emphasize how practical experiences may differ from theory or taught procedures.
- RF circuit design and analysis is presented with minimal involvement of Smith charts, enabling students to more readily grasp the fundamentals.
- Both traditional and software-defined/direct sampling technology are described with pros and cons of each strategy explained.
- 517 pages. Licensed CC BY NC 4.0.

"This textbook gives engineering students a complete overview of radio systems and provides practicing wireless engineers with a convenient comprehensive reference."
- Patrick Roblin, Ohio State University

Radio Systems Engineering, Revised First Edition was previously published by Cambridge University Press (2016) ISBN 9781107068285. This version is © Steven W. Ellingson and has been lightly updated to correct known errata, minor issues with text and figures, and to present examples in color highlight boxes and some figures in color. It is made freely available and under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial International License (CC BY NC 4.0).

Are you reviewing or adopting this book for a course?
Please help us understand your use by filling out this form: https://bit.ly/interest_radiosystemsengineering_revised1st
Join the instructor group (https://oercommons.org/groups/radio-systems-engineering-instructor-group/14443/) to connect with other instructors interested in this resource.

How to access the book
The main landing page for this book is https://doi.org/10.21061/radiosystemsengineering-revised1st.
The open textbook is freely available online in multiple formats including PDF and HTML [forthcoming].
A paperback print version (in color) is available for order here: https://www.amazon.com/Radio-Systems-Engineering-Revised-First/dp/1957213752

ISBNs
ISBN (PDF): 978-1-957213-76-7
ISBN (HTML): 978-1-957213-77-4 (accessible version forthcoming)
ISBN (print): 978-1-957213-75-0

Table of contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Antenna Fundamentals
Chapter 3: Propagation
Chapter 4: Noise
Chapter 5: Analog Modulation
Chapter 6: Digital Modulation
Chapter 7: Radio Link Analysis
Chapter 8: Two-Port Concepts
Chapter 9: Impedance Matching
Chapter 10: Amplifiers
Chapter 11: Linearity, Multistage Analysis, and Dynamic Range
Chapter 12: Antenna Integration
Chapter 13: Analog Filters & Multiplexers
Chapter 14: Frequency and Quadrature Conversion in the Analog Domain
Chapter 15: Receivers
Chapter 16: Frequency Synthesis
Chapter 17: Transmitters
Chapter 18: Digital Implementation of Radio Functions
Appendix A: Empirical Modeling of Mean Path Loss
Appendix B: Characteristics of Some Common Radio Systems

About the author
Dr. Steven W. Ellingson
Steven W. Ellingson is an Associate Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech. He received the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Ohio State University. He held senior engineering positions at Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Raytheon, and the Ohio State University ElectroScience Laboratory before joining the faculty of Virginia Tech. His research is in the areas of antennas and propagation, applied signal processing, and radio frequency instrumentation, with funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the commercial communications and aerospace industries. Dr. Ellingson serves as a consultant to industry and government on topics pertaining to radio frequency systems.

Suggested citation
Ellingson, Steven W. (2023). Radio Systems Engineering, Revised First Edition. Blacksburg. https://doi.org/10.21061/radiosystemsengineering-revised1st. Licensed with CC BY NC 4.0.

View Errata: https://bit.ly/errata_radiosystemsengineering_revised1st
Report an Error: https://bit.ly/reporterror_radiosystemsengineering_revised1st

Accessibility
Virginia Tech is committed to making its publications accessible in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

In this classroom experiment the students will observe primary colors mixing together to create a secondary color.

Explore forces, energy and work as you push household objects up and down a ramp. Lower and raise the ramp to see how the angle of inclination affects the parallel forces acting on the file cabinet. Graphs show forces, energy and work.

This article profiles Julie Codispoti, assistant curator at the United States Polar Rock Repository, and discusses the basics of polar geology. Modified versions are available for younger students.

This article provides an overview of metacognition, suggestions for teaching elementary students to be metacognitive about their reading, and links to professional resources.

This article explains how the ice and snow of the polar regions fit in the global water cycle and includes links to professional development resources.

This lesson will start with a brief history of robotics and explain how robots are beneficial to science and society. The lesson then will explore how robots have been used in recent space exploration efforts. The engineering design of the two Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, will be used as prime examples. Finally, the maneuverability of their robotic arms and the functionality of their tools will be discussed.

This activity is an investigation where students experiment with reflection using plane mirrors.

This collection of 103 individual sets of math problems derives from images and data generated by NASA remote sensing technology. Whether used as a challenge activity, enrichment activity and/or a formative assessment, the problems allow students to engage in authentic applications of math. Each set consists of one page of math problems (one to six problems per page) and an accompanying answer key. Based on complexity, the problem sets are designated for two grade level groups: 6-8 and 9-12. Also included is an introduction to remote sensing, a matrix aligning the problem sets to specific math topics, and four problems for beginners (grades 3-5).

In this activity, students will mix paints and create a formula to match a muted color. The formula will be tested. Students will discuss their observations and develop new questions about color mixing to pursue.

This interactive activity adapted from the Wisconsin Online Resource Center challenges you to plan, measure, and calculate the correct amount of roofing material needed to reroof a house.