As the name suggests, these two courses are all about designing microwave circuits. Part I deals with passive circuits, while Part II deals with active circuits. There is heavy emphasis on project and lab work. Labs are designed to help students first design, then build and finally test their circuits. For design we use the program ADS from Keysight, for building we use tools in EPL, and for testing we use instruments in the EMAG and NEAR labs.

Course structure:

• Lectures

• Labs

• Projects

• Exams

Emphasis is on labs and projects. Practice problems (homework) are collected but not graded.

More formal course descriptions can be found here:

https://www.pdx.edu/electrical-computer-engineering/ece-4531-microwave-circuit-design-i

https://www.pdx.edu/electrical-computer-engineering/ece-4532-microwave-circuit-design-ii

Required TA Skills

1. Preferably have taken this class and received A- or A grade

2. Proficiency in using ADS

3. Understanding of EM theory and its application in microwave circuits

4. Understanding and ability to use basic analog circuits

5. Proficiency in using tools needed to produce PCB-s in EPL

6. Proficiency in using high-frequency instrumentation: VNA, TDR, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, noise-figure meters, power-meters etc.

7. Ability to debug complex circuit and layout problems

TA Responsibilities

Teaching assistants are required to:

1. Attend labs during the term. Each week, the TA is responsible for two 3-hour lab sections (total = 6 hours/week).

2. Prepare for each lab session by doing the experiments. This can be done before the start of the term. Test that any special parts or instruments are available and ready for use.

3. Deliver 10 to 15 minutes long introduction at the beginning of each lab.

4. Help students during each lab session and grade their submitted lab reports.

5. Keep lab attendance data.

6. Upload student scores and feedback to D2L.

7. Hold office hours for 2 hours per week.

8. Hold additional hours in EMAG lab in the week(s) leading to demo of student projects.

9. Making sure that parts are available in EPL or that we have enough parts on our own.

Lab sessions include (two terms):

1. Measuring passive RLC components; presenting data

2. TDR and transmission line (TL) characteristic impedance

3. VNA measurements of TL and other circuits

4. Designing TL-s

5. Impedance matching

6. Design and measurements of couplers (Wilkinson, hybrid)

7. DC and S-parameters of transistors (pHEMTs)

8. On-wafer measurements

9. Amplifier design for stability

10. Amplifier design

11. LNA design

12. Noise in amplifiers and its measurement

13. Design and testing of detectors

Projects:

1. Mini project 1: build and test SMA coax cable for microwave frequencies

2. Project 1: design – build – test bandpass filter around 2.4 GHz

3. Project 2: design – build – test LNA around 2.4 GHz

4. Project 3: design – build – test FSK receiver

If you have not done these projects, you will be required to complete them before their respective terms begin.