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ECE 5104G - Advanced Microwave and RF Engineering (3C)

Course Description

Passive and active RF and microwave components and circuits for wireless communiations: transmission-line theory; planar transmission-lines and waveguides; S-parameters; resonators; power dividers and couplers; microwave filters; sources, detectors, and active devices; modern RF & microwave CAD. ACtive RF components. Microwave amplifer design. Microwave Integrated Circuits (MIC). RF Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) components. Microwave systems. RF components for wireless systems. RF components for Ultra Wideband (UWB) systems.

Why take this course?

The applications for RF and microwave devices and circuits are growing at a high rate. One visible example nowadays is wireless communications. Other examples include Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) TV, Local Multipoint Distribution Services (LMDS, e.g. wireless cable TV and internet), wireless local area computer networks (WLANs), and future satellite communications systems. In addition, as microprocessor clock speeds continue to increase towards the GHz range, electromagnetic and distributed effects are becoming increasingly important in the digital world as well.

Learning Objectives

  • Analyze transmission-line circuits at RF and microwave frequencies
  • Use the Smith chart for solving transmission-line problems
  • Perform Scattering parameter analysis of RF networks.
  • Describe the operation and analyze the performance of basic microwave components
  • Design basic microwave components to meet certain specifications
  • Analyze microwave systems and assess the impact of microwave component performances on overall system performance
  • Assess qualitatively and quantitatively the role of microwave components in the application areas of MIC, MEMS, wireless systems and UWB systems