Key topics covered
The course reviews: the fundamentals of RF and Microwave circuit theory, and then describes the detailed design principles used in RF receiver and transmitter design. These include:
- S,Y,Z parameter definition, conversion manipulation and calculation.
- Equivalent circuit model extraction using parameter manipulation.
- Low noise small signal amplifiers including: matching, (matching network Q), noise matching and noise measurement techniques and biasing.
- Broadband small signal amplifiers using feedback for optimum input and output impedance
- Low Phase Noise Oscillators
- Frequency Synthesisers
- Power amplifiers with real time time Large signal modelling
- Mixers
- Filters
Practical design and measurement techniques are included in the extensive laboratory classes. Highlights include the design, construction and measurement of a low noise amplifier and a low phase noise oscillator. Frequency response measurements are performed on the amplifier and oscillator resonator. Noise figure measurements are performed on the amplifier. Open loop characterisation and closed loop phase noise measurements are performed on the oscillators. The results are compared with theory. A 1GHz microstrip line filter is designed and simulated.
Modern CAD techniques (using HP/EESOF Series IV software) will be introduced. |