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

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following program(s): MC180

PLO 2. Demonstrate an  advanced and integrated understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline
PLO 4. Apply advanced knowledge of established engineering methods in the analysis of complex problems in the  engineering discipline
PLO 5. Utilise advanced mathematics, software, tools and techniques, in the conduct of research into the  design and analysis of complex engineering systems
PLO 8. Communicate engineering designs and solutions respectfully and effectively, employing a range of advanced communication methods in interpreting and transmitting knowledge, in an individual or team environment,  to diverse audiences.​​
PLO 11. Collaborate and contribute as an effective team member or leader in diverse specialist and multi-disciplinary teams, with commitment to First Nations peoples and/or globally inclusive perspectives and participation in an engineering context.​

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.  


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

CLO1    Explain microwave circuit and device operations in terms of scientific theory and advanced engineering principles.

CLO2    Design complex microwave circuits and devices with a Systems Engineering approach.

CLO3    Profile microwave circuits and systems performance and accuracy with advanced simulation tools and systematic evaluation techniques.

CLO4    Cross-examine circuit fabrication technology options for application and production effectiveness.

CLO5    Communicate microwave/radio frequency device development report findings to both professional and non-professional audiences.

CLO6    Collaborate in a project team using professional behaviours, processes and standards.

 


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 Task 1: Test, 20% CLO1 and CLO2
Assessment Task 2: Test, 40%, CLO1 and CLO2
Assessment Task 3: Lab reports, 20% CLOS3, CLO5 and CLO6
Assessment Task 4: Assignment, 20%, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5 and CLO6