Electromagnetic propagation, circuit theory and basic complex variable theory.
The course students acquire the knowledge and develop the skills listed below:
1. Basic knowledge about wave propagation and analysis methods for high frequency circuits based on wave propagation.
2. Ability to apply the acquired knowledge not only to its usual area of application (microwave circuits) but also to other areas of knowledge in which the studied concepts can help to the understanding of phenomena and help to the resolution of problems, such as Electromagnetic Compatibility, Communication Systems, Optical Communication Systems and Electronic Design.
3. Ability to obtain simple analytical models from complex systems that keep their basic features and allow their analysis and interpretation.
4. Efficient oral and written communication.
1.- Transmission lines. General behaviour.
1.1- Definition and symbology.
1.2- Circuit model and time behaviour.
1.3- Steady state behaviour.
1.4- Impedance.
1.5- Reflection coefficient.
1.6- Standing wave ratio.
1.7- Lossy transmission lines.
1.8- Dispersion in transmission lines.
1.9- Physical transmission lines.
2.- Analysis of microwave circuits.
2.1- Definition.
2.2- One-port networks. Generalized reflection coefficient.
2.3- S parameters for an n-port network.
2.4- S parameter computation.
2.5- Two-port networks.
2.6- S, Z, Y, T and ABCD parameter relationships.
2.7- S parameters without physical meaning.
2.8- Network analyzers.
3.- Passive microwave circuits.
3.1- /4 transformers, tapers and impedance matching.
3.2- Signal dividers/combiners ( hybrid rings, Wilkinson and resitive dividers).
3.3- Directional couplers.
3.4- Circulators.
3.5- Filters, resonators and duplexers.
3.6- Circuits with PIN diodes (switches and variable phase shifters).
4.- Waveguides. Microwave passive circuits for waveguides.
4.1- Waveguides. Types and features.
4.2- Waveguide modelling with transmission lines.
4.3- Circuit elements for waveguides.
4.4- Basic waveguide passive circuits.
5.- Linear microwave amplifiers.
5.1- Introduction.
5.2- Amplifier gain.
5.3- Amplifier stability.
5.4- Amplifier noise.
5.5- Microwave transistors. Biasing.
The subject is covered in 30 two hour sessions. The course is imparted in two different formats:
1. Presential format. It is imparted through lectures. The theory lectures are complemented with problem solving workshops in order to consolidate the theoretical concepts and to present a wise fan of applications. Sporadically selected students can be invited to do presentations about non essential course topics. Besides, research projects can be assigned to motivated students about topics in which they want to improve their knowledge, on in topics in which they have some expertise. It is expected that the student work on his own the theoretical concepts, and that he applies them to several situations through suggested problems. As a complement to lectures and problem workshops the student is given the possibility to do optional practices in order to acquire a deeper knowledge about design methodologies than cannot be undertaken from an analytical point of view. The practices propose methodologies for microwave mixers and oscillators. The teacher is wholly available to the student for the solution of doubts.
2. Semipresential format. In this format the student do not attend to lectures at the college. The student is a member of an online virtual campus and follows the course from home. The student is provided with printed course notes, which he obtains from the virtual campus, and an online study-guide which substitute the lectures. The study-guide tries to grade the learning process, grading the amount of concepts that must be learned and the minimum amounts of problems that must be done, imitating the rhythm of the presential lectures. The degree of comprehension of the subject is tested by the own student through online tests performed after each lesson. Teachers are contacted using e-mail, or through virtual lectures using videoconference and electronic blackboard, and at optional presential lectures.
In order to test whether the student has reached in an adequate degree the aims of the course, the following evaluation tools are used:
A. Exams
They consist of problems (two or three per exam). Theoretical questions are not usual.
D. Homework
If assigned, it is used to improve the course marcs.
J. Classroom participation
The evaluation of classroom participation is subjective and is applied via slight improvements of the marks of students who have distinguished themselves by their active classroom participation (or its semipresential equivalent through online forum activity, questions, assistance to presential or online meetings, etc), provided that the teacher believes that the exam marks do not match the work and the knowledge shown by the student in the classroom.
The course is evaluated by a final exam at the end of the 1st semester, and a recovery exam in September. Homework, quizzes and classroom participation are also taken into account in order to round off the marks.
Objective 1: Basic knowledge of the subject.
-The student has to prove that he has mastered the basic theory of the subject, and that he or she is able to apply it to solve problems [A,D,J].
Objective 2: Analysis and synthesis skills.
-The student has to be able to analyze problems and to propose solutions [A,D,J].
Objective 3: Capacity to properly use one's own language
- A lack of orthographic or syntactic rigor will negatively affect the marks of exams of homework [A,D,J].
M. Ribó and F.J. Pajares, `Docent guide of the course´, La Salle, 2011
M. Ribó and F.J. Pajares, `Collected problems of the course´, La Salle, 2011
D.M. Pozar, `Microwave Engineering´, 3rd edition, John Wiley &Sons, 2004
G. Gonzalez, `Microwave Transistor Amplifiers. Analysis and Design´, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall, 1997
R.E. Collin, `Foundations for microwave Engineering´, 2nd edition, IEEE Press - John Wiley &Sons
J. Bará, `Circuitos de microondas con lineas de transmission´, Edicions UPC, 1994