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ECE 764 - Design of Microwave Circuits

Prerequisites:

ECE 502 - Electrical Engineering Lab II; ECE 526 - Electronics II; ECE 557 - EM Theory

Course Description:ece764

This course combines lectures and laboratory work to introduce you to the field of wireless circuits and systems operating at microwave through millimeter wave frequencies. We will be covering topics such as antennas, microstrip circuits, S-parameters, and frequency synthesizer design. These topics are essential knowledge for anyone working in the area of communication circuit design at the frequencies most often used today and in the future.

Primary Objectives:

bullet To familiarize you with typical circuits and antenna systems found in RF communications equipment at microwave frequencies.
bullet To introduce you to common performance measures and test equipment used in microwave circuit laboratories.
bullet  To help you gain a solid foundation for specifying and designing communications equipment at the system level.

The course will include a sequence of projects in which you will design, build and test antennas and microwave circuits. The semester goal is to create a working FMCW radar operating at low powers. Such a device could be used for security or automotive applications, and would make an excellent open-house project as well!

A companion course (EECE662) offered in the Spring semesters covers the design of RF circuits at these lower frequencies, for those interested in a more in-depth and complete knowledge of RF circuits. In addition, EECE765 offers an introduction to designing RF integrated circuits.

Class Notes:

bullet Common Antenna - Characteristics
bullet Noise Figure Measurement

Homework and Projects:

Work in this course centers around the design, construction, testing, and documention of real-world antenna systems and microwave circuits. Traditional homework assignments are replaced with a series of labs , design projects and writeups.

Final Exam:

Demonstration (in the DUR atrium and/or outside) and documentation of CWFM radar will constitute your "final exam".