RF and Microwave Circuit Design Training Course

Many devices rely on wireless interconnectivity. This course forms a five day advanced course that covers RF and microwave hardware design, at the theory, circuit, modelling, layout and enclosure levels, to produce working hardware designs. The course includes both theoretical and circuit aspects, as well as the practical considerations of real components and circuit layout.

Key topics covered

The course reviews: the fundamentals of RF and Microwave circuit theory, and then describes the detailed design principles used in RF receiver and transmitter design. These include:

• S,Y,Z parameter definition, conversion manipulation and calculation.
• Equivalent circuit model extraction using parameter manipulation.
• Low noise small signal amplifiers including: matching, (matching network Q), noise matching and noise measurement techniques and biasing.
• Broadband small signal amplifiers using feedback for optimum input and output impedance
• Low Phase Noise Oscillators
• Frequency Synthesisers
• Power amplifiers with real time time Large signal modelling
• Mixers
• Filters

Practical design and measurement techniques are included in the extensive laboratory classes. Highlights include the design, construction and measurement of a low noise amplifier and a low phase noise oscillator. Frequency response measurements are performed on the amplifier and oscillator resonator. Noise figure measurements are performed on the amplifier. Open loop characterisation and closed loop phase noise measurements are performed on the oscillators. The results are compared with theory. A 1GHz microstrip line filter is designed and simulated.

Modern CAD techniques (using HP/EESOF Series IV software) will be introduced.

Course scope

The course will describe the theory, device models and design techniques required to develop most of the major building blocks in modern RF and microwave transmitters and receivers. Subject areas include: passive and active component models, impedance matching, small signal amplifier design, mixers, low noise oscillator design, filter design, PCB design, EMC aspects, enclosures and shielding, modulation and power amplifier design. The course also provides an opportunity, through laboratory classes, to apply this theory to the design and construction of low noise amplifiers, low phase noise oscillators and filters using either lumped or distributed circuit techniques

Who should attend

Graduate engineers who are new to the field of RF and microwave engineering or engineers who require a broadening of their design skills. The course encompasses both lumped element and distributed transmission line design techniques. The course assumes a basic knowledge of analogue circuit design.

The Lecturers

Prof Jeremy Everard (course leader)

Prof Alister Burr

Dr Ruwan Gajaweera - Department of Electronics, The University of York

Prof Mike Underhill

• Accomodation: This course is non-residential but details of local hotels are available.
• Payment: No attendance is allowed unless payment has been received before the start of the course.
• Mode of delivery: The approach taken is to combine theory, design exercises, CAD and practical laboratory sessions to provide an enhanced learning experience. The course is supported by a set of specifically prepared book quality course notes.
• Assessment: This course is a non-assessed short course, a certificate of attendance will be given to each attendee.

Registration

• On line
  Course registration can be completed, including secure payment via a credit card, by clicking on the email link immediately below.

• Off line
  To register with any other form of payment simply click on the "CLICK HERE to pay without using a Credit Card " below and follow the instructions.