Course Title: RF and Microwave Circuits

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: RF and Microwave Circuits

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

EEET2270

City Campus

Undergraduate

125H Electrical & Computer Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

EEET2270

City Campus

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023

EEET2309

City Campus

Postgraduate

125H Electrical & Computer Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

EEET2309

City Campus

Postgraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023

Course Coordinator: Prof. James Scott

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3248

Course Coordinator Email: James.Scott@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 12.11.17

Course Coordinator Availability: E-mail for an appointment.


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

You are required to have successfully completed Communication Engineering 2 or other equivalent studies (this is not an enforced pre-requisite). It is also recommended that you have successfully completed Wireless and Guided Waves or other equivalent studies.

You will be expected to be familiar with DC and AC circuit analysis, AC transmission line theory including impedance transformation and matching concepts, gain and noise figure, bandwidth, modulation and signal spectra, operation and DC biasing of bipolar transistors and FETs and knowledge of lumped element passive filter design.

Knowledge of electromagnetic theory and wave propagation is an advantage.

 


Course Description

The design and fabrication of high frequency microwave circuits is a specialised art, requiring a combination of conventional electronic circuit design skills and an understanding of wave propagation effects (transmission line behaviour). The fabrication of these circuits is increasingly involving microelectronic techniques as circuits become more highly integrated and also combined on the same chip as high speed DSP and digital circuitry.

This course will introduce students to the design, fabrication and characterisation of microwave circuits and devices. The emphasis will be placed on communication applications such as wireless communications and defence systems. The laboratory program will provide students with the opportunity to utilise modern CAD tools to design their circuits and the latest in microwave test equipment to characterise their circuit designs.

The course will be strongly design oriented with a strong development of practical design skills.

Particular topics to be investigated will include:

  1. High frequency performance of lumped passive components.
  2. Microwave transmission lines – design and analysis.
  3. Microwave couplers and filters.
  4. Active microwave devices.
  5. Low noise amplifier design.
  6. Power amplifier design.
  7. Oscillator and mixer design.
  8. Microwave circuit fabrication techniques.
  9. Microwave circuit characterisation techniques.

Please note that if you take this course for a bachelor honours program, your overall mark in this course will be one of the course marks that will be used to calculate the weighted average mark (WAM) that will determine your award level. (This applies to students who commence enrolment in a bachelor honours program from 1 January 2016 onward. See the WAM information web page for more information.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At undergraduate level this course develops the following Program Learning Outcomes for students who commenced their program prior to 2023:

1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.

2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.

2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.

This course contributes to the following program learning outcomes for students who commenced their program in 2023:

  • PLO1: Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and knowledge of fundamental engineering and scientific theories, principles and concepts and apply advanced technical knowledge in specialist domain of engineering. 
  • PLO2: Utilise mathematics and engineering fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to design engineering systems for complex engineering challenges.    
  • PLO4: Apply systematic problem solving, design methods and information and project management to propose and implement creative and sustainable solutions with intellectual independence and cultural sensitivity. 

At postgraduate level this course develops the following Program Learning Outcomes:

  • High levels of technical competence in the field
  • Be able to apply problem solving approaches to work challenges and make decisions using sound engineering methodologies

 


On completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Explain the principles of operation of microwave circuits and devices.
  2. Design and simulate microwave circuits and devices.
  3. Select suitable measurement methodologies to characterise and verify the performance of microwave circuits and devices and undertake measurements to characterise and verify the performance of microwave circuits and devices.
  4. Explain /compare the various circuit fabrication technologies and select the appropriate technology for a particular application and justify that selection.
  5. Communicate findings through written reports.
  6. Work in a team environment with minimal direction from a supervisor.

 


Overview of Learning Activities

Key concepts and their application will be explained in pre-recorded lectures, with design examples and case studies used to demonstrate current industry practice.

Major assignment work is designed to develop your group and communication skills through written reports, and to guide you through a real-world design and verification methodology.

Laboratory exercises develop practical skills in using common test instrumentation used in the microwave industry.

 


Overview of Learning Resources

You will be able to access course information and learning materials through RMIT University’s online systems.

Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible Internet sites will be provided.

You will also use state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and computer software within the School during project and assignment work.

 


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

 

Assessment tasks:

Assessment Task 1: Mid-semester test
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 2

Assessment Task 2: Final test
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2

Assessment Task 3: Laboratory reports
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 3, 5 & 6

Assessment 4: Major assignment
Weighting 20%
This assessment supports CLOs 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6