RF SYSTEMS AND CIRCUIT DESIGN - 2020/1
Module code: EEEM044
Module Overview
IMPORTANT: The second assessment pattern (100% Weighting) is only applicable to the MSc Short Course Students
Expected prior learning: EEE3033 – RF and Microwave Fundamentals, or equivalent learning.
Module purpose: Advanced communications systems and radar operate at RF and microwave frequencies. The design principles and circuit operation, underlying these systems, are quite different from those of electronics used in signal processing at baseband frequencies. This module will cover the key elements of RF and microwave system design as well as analysis concepts for a range of commonly used active circuits, including: oscillators, frequency synthesisers, amplifiers and mixers. The module will also cover the circuit design and operation of non-linear devices used in active circuits together with deployment considerations.
Module provider
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Module Leader
BROWN Tim (Elec Elec En)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 111
Lecture Hours: 24
Tutorial Hours: 6
Laboratory Hours: 9
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None.
Module content
Indicative content includes the following:
Revision of prerequisite background material, including: S-parameters, decibel scale, transmission line theory, smith charts.
Functionality and structure of RF non-linear circuit components, including: diodes, and field effect transistors.
RF power amplifier performance, analysis, and design, including: amplifier classes, amplifier stability, non-linearity, intermodulation distortion, adjacent channel interference.
Oscillator circuit design and operation, including: feedback loops, frequency synthesis, phase noise.
Single balanced and double balanced active and passive mixer circuit design.
Role of mixers in RF systems, including up conversion, down conversion.
RF system considerations, including: dynamic range, link budget analysis, and noise figure calculations.
Microwave integrated circuits; role, applications, and technology overview.
RF test and measurement, including: spectrum analysers and network analysers.
Computer aided RF circuit design laboratories.
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Practical based assessment | LABORATORY | 20 |
Examination | EXAMINATION - 2 HOURS | 80 |
Alternative Assessment
Not applicable: students failing a unit of assessment resit the assessment in its original format.
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy for this module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their competence in using fundamentals of RF electronics and applying them to real life problem solving scenarios. This is achieved in part through a computer aided design laboratory (CAD) assessment which the student is required to document in a professional manner.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of the following.
A computer aided design (CAD) laboratory assignment, which follows three weeks of preparation in supervised laboratory sessions. This is weighted to 20% of the final mark.
Closed book written examination, 2 hours in which students have a choice of three questions out of four available questions. This is weighted to 80% of the final mark.
Any deadline given here is indicative. For confirmation of exact date and time, please check the Departmental assessment calendar issued to you.
Formative assessment and feedback
For the module, students will receive formative assessment/feedback in the following ways:
During lectures, by question and answer sessions.
During lectures, by peer instruction (subject to a large enough class size).
During tutorials/tutorial classes.
During supervised computer laboratory sessions.
Via assessed coursework.
Module aims
- To provide a foundation of knowledge and understanding in the area of active microwave circuit and systems design.
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | ||
001 | Demonstrate knowledge of how to apply RF systems and circuit design concepts in existing and future radio technologies, including use of S-parameters and the decibel scale. | KP |
003 | Be able to design and analyse circuits containing active non-linear components most commonly used in active RF devices. | C |
004 | Understand how to use and apply data measured with RF test and measurement equipment including network analysers and spectrum analysers. | CP |
002 | Recognise commonly used active RF devices and know how to integrate them into systems. | K |
005 | Apply circuit design theory within a computer simulation environment. | P |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to achieve the following aims:
To build on and extend knowledge of measurement parameters used in radio frequency (RF) electronics including scattering parameters, link budgets, the decibel scale and amplifier characteristics.
To apply knowledge of the measurement parameters to RF systems and circuit design. To gain competence in RF simulation and test and measurement.
Learning and teaching methods include the following:
Lectures 3 hours per week x 8 weeks.
Tutorials 3 hours per week x 2 weeks.
Computer based laboratory sessions 3 hours per week x 3 weeks. The computer based laboratory sessions will provide an opportunity for the students to learn how to use computer aided design (CAD) software.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: EEEM044
Programmes this module appears in
Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
---|---|---|---|
Electronic Engineering with Nanotechnology MEng | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
RF and Microwave Engineering MSc | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Satellite Communications Engineering MSc | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Nanotechnology and Renewable Energy MSc | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Space Engineering MSc | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Electronic Engineering MSc | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
5G and Future Generation Communication Systems MSc | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Mobile and Satellite Communications MSc | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Communication Systems MEng | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Electronic Engineering with Communications MEng | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Electronic Engineering with Space Systems MEng | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Electrical and Electronic Engineering MEng | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Electronic Engineering MEng | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Electronic Engineering with Professional Postgraduate Year MSc | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.