RF Engineering I

(3-0-0-3)

CMPE Degree: This course is Selected Elective for the CMPE degree.

EE Degree: This course is Selected Elective for the EE degree.

Lab Hours: 0 supervised lab hours and 0 unsupervised lab hours.

Technical Interest Groups / Course Categories: Threads / ECE Electives

Course Coordinator: Gabriel A Rincon-Mora

Prerequisites: ECE 3025 [min C] and (ECE 3050 [min D] or ECE 3400 [min D])

Catalog Description

Fundamentals of RF engineering. Components at high frequencies, device modeling, amplifiers, lumped-element and microstrip impedance transformation networks, S-parameter-based design of RF and microwave amplifiers.

Textbook(s)

Microwave Transistor Amplifiers Analysis and Design, Planar Microwave Engineering

Course Outcomes

Design matching networks using the Smith chart 

Model transistors for small-signal operation

Analyze noise contribution from components 

Design, simulate, fabricate and test a multi-stage LNA

Design, simulate, fabricate and test a double-balanced mixer

Strategic Performance Indicators (SPIs)

N/A

Topic List

  1. Introduction
    1. Analog vs. RF Engineering
    2. Systems and Circuits
    3. High Frequency Measurements
  2. Circuit Fundamentals
    1. Sources and Available Power
    2. Balanced (Differential) vs. Unbalanced (Single-ended) Networks
    3. Y, Z, ABCD, and s-parameter Two-Ports
    4. Transmission Line Analysis using the Smith Chart
    5. L/C/T Lossless Matching Network Design
  3. Losses, Resonant Circuits, and Bandwidth
    1. Practical Limitations of Lumped Element Components
    2. Planar Transmission Lines and their Limitations
    3. Resonant Circuits and Quality Factor (Q)
    4. Bandwidth and Attenuation
    5. Resistive Attenuators and their Uses
  4. Practical Lumped-Element Filter Design
    1. Low-Pass and High-Pass Filters
    2. Bandpass Filters
    3. Notch Filters
  5. Active Device Modeling
    1. Hybrid-Pi model at High Frequencies
    2. Package Models
    3. s-parameter Models
  6. Amplifier Fundamentals
    1. Amplifier Topologies
    2. S-parameter Design of RF Amplifiers
    3. Gain and Stability Circles
    4. Power Gain
    5. Maximum Stable Gain
  7. Noise Analysis
    1. Noise Mechanisms in Devices
    2. Noise Factor and Noise Figure
    3. Noise Models for Active Devices
    4. Multi-stage (Cascaded) LNA Design
  8. Mixers and Frequency Conversion
    1. Ideal Frequency Conversion
    2. Shottky Diodes and Nonlinear Models
    3. Linear, Time-varying (Switching) Models for Mixers
    4. RF Transformers
    5. Practical Mixer Design