RF Engineering I

(3-0-0-3)

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

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

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

Technical Interest Group(s) / Course Type(s): Electronic Design and Applications

Course Coordinator: James Stevenson Kenney

Prerequisites: ECE3025 [min C] and ECE3050/3400

Catalog Description

Radio frequency (RF) electronics concentrating on receiver components and architecture from 1 MHz to 1 GHz, including Smith charts, low noise amplifiers, and mixers.

Textbook(s)

Microwave Transistor Amplifiers Analysis and Design, Planar Microwave Engineering

Course Outcomes

  1. Design matching networks using the Smith chart
  2. Model transistors for small-signal operation
  3. Analyze noise contribution from components
  4. Design, simulate, fabricate and test a multi-stage LNA
  5. Design, simulate, fabricate and test a double-balanced mixer

Strategic Performance Indicators (SPIs)

Not Applicable

Topical Outline

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