Course syllabus for Active microwave circuits

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-09 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameAktiva mikrovågskretsar
  • CodeEME102
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPWPS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyElectrical Engineering, Engineering Physics
  • DepartmentMICROTECHNOLOGY AND NANOSCIENCE
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 29127
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0111 Laboratory 1.5 c
Grading: UG		0 c0 c1.5 c0 c0 c0 c
0211 Examination 6 c
Grading: TH		0 c0 c6 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Knowledge in circuit theory, analogue electronics, semiconductor devices, complex variables and functions, transmission line theory, electromagnetic-wave theory and microwave engineering. Recommended courses are: Electromagnetic waves and components (RRY036); or High frequency electromagnetic waves (EEM021); or Analog electronics design (LET563/LET564) and, preferably Microwave engineering (MCC121).

Aim

The aim of this course is to learn how to design active microwave circuits; such as amplifiers, oscillators, multipliers, and mixers.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  1. Analyse two-port networks with respect to gain, noise, stability and VSWR
  2. Apply two-port representations for embedding, de-embedding and interconnecting components
  3. Apply equivalent transistor models for representation of microwave transistors
  4. Design and characterise a RF/microwave amplifier circuit (gain, noise, power, bandwidth, VSWR)
  5. Design a RF/microwave oscillator for low phase noise
  6. Extract small-signal transistor model parameters from S parameter measurements
  7. Extract large-signal transistor-model parameters from transistor DC characteristics and bias dependent small-signal S parameters
  8. Design and analyse nonlinear circuits such as mixers and frequency multipliers

Content

The course treats analysis and design of microwave circuits, particularly amplifiers but also oscillators and nonlinear circuits like mixers and multipliers.

Topics: Two-port theory, impedance matching, stability, noise/gain optimisation, amplifier design, oscillation conditions, wideband amplifiers, the Bode-Fano criteria, high power amplifiers, microwave oscillators, mixers, multipliers, and nonlinear simulation techniques.

The course contains two lab exercises
  1. Design of a microwave-transistor amplifier using modern commercial soft-ware
  2. Assembly of the designed amplifier and measurement to verify the simulated performance

The course contains two home assignments
  1. Design of a noise optimized small-signal amplifier
  2. Exercise in large-signal modeling and nonlinear simulations, carried out in groups of 2

Organisation

Lectures 32 hours (Dan Kuylenstierna, Vincent Desmaris)
Tutorials 28 hours (Martin Mattsson)
Laboratory work 8 hours (Martin Mattsson)
Home assignments X hours (Cristian Lopez)

Literature

David M Pozar, Microwave engineering, 4th edition, Wiley,
2011, (ISBN: 978-0-470-63155-3).
Lecture notes
Scientific and technical papers
Optional: Guillermo Gonzalez, Microwave Transistor Amplifiers: Analysis and Design

E-books available from Chalmers’ library
Steve Cripps, RF Power Amplifiers for Wireless Communications, Second Edition, 2006
(E-book ISBN 9781596930193)

Examination including compulsory elements

Successful completion of this course is based on:
  • Passed written examination
  • Completion of two lab exercises
  • Home assignment in amplifier design
  • Home assignment in large-signal modeling and nonlinear simulations
The examination is separated in two modules where the two laborations constitute one module on 1.5 hp that is graded with PASSED or FAIL. The other module on 6hp includes the home assignments and exam and is graded with 3,4,5 based on overall performance.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.