ECE 4/531 Microwave Circuit Design I
ECE 4/532 Microwave Circuit Design II
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
Preferably have taken this class and received A- or A grade
Proficiency in using ADS
Understanding of EM theory and its application in microwave circuits
Understanding and ability to use basic analog circuits
Proficiency in using tools needed to produce PCB-s in EPL
Proficiency in using high-frequency instrumentation: VNA, TDR, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, noise-figure meters, power-meters etc.
Ability to debug complex circuit and layout problems
TA Responsibilities
Teaching assistants are required to:
Attend labs during the term. Each week, the TA is responsible for two 3-hour lab sections (total = 6 hours/week).
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.
Deliver 10 to 15 minutes long introduction at the beginning of each lab.
Help students during each lab session and grade their submitted lab reports.
Keep lab attendance data.
Upload student scores and feedback to D2L.
Hold office hours for 2 hours per week.
Hold additional hours in EMAG lab in the week(s) leading to demo of student projects.
Making sure that parts are available in EPL or that we have enough parts on our own.
Lab sessions include (two terms):
Measuring passive RLC components; presenting data
TDR and transmission line (TL) characteristic impedance
VNA measurements of TL and other circuits
Designing TL-s
Impedance matching
Design and measurements of couplers (Wilkinson, hybrid)
DC and S-parameters of transistors (pHEMTs)
On-wafer measurements
Amplifier design for stability
Amplifier design
LNA design
Noise in amplifiers and its measurement
Design and testing of detectors
Projects:
Mini project 1: build and test SMA coax cable for microwave frequencies
Project 1: design – build – test bandpass filter around 2.4 GHz
Project 2: design – build – test LNA around 2.4 GHz
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.