Course syllabus

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MCC121 Microwave engineering lp2 HT21 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience

Contact details

The following team of teachers are involved in the course:

  • Jan Stake (examiner&lecturer), Terahertz and Millimetre Wave Lab, Room D615, MC2-building;
  • Helena Rodilla (lecturer), Terahertz and Millimetre Wave Lab, Room D6xx, MC2-building;
  • Peter Sobis (guest lecturer), Low noise factory and adjunct professor at Chalmers, Room D614, MC2-building.
  • Vincent Desmaris (lecturer), GARD, MC2-building;
  • Anis Moradi (TA), Terahertz and Millimetre Wave Lab, Room D614, MC2-building;
  • Yin Zeng (TA), Terahertz and Millimetre Wave Lab, Room D616, MC2-building;
  • Mohamed Aniss Mebarki (lab), GARD, MC2-building;

Course purpose

The aim of this course is to provide the foundation for microwave theory and techniques. We believe that learning microwave theory and techniques will open up for better understanding of interesting phenomena, such as resonances, coupling effects, and electromagnetic wave propagation. Participants will learn how to analyse devices, circuits and structures that interact with electromagnetic fields and with dimensions comparable to a wavelength, or when wave propagation phenomena must be considered. Finally, participants will gain practical experience  in designing a basic passive microwave circuit, using modern CAD tools, and experimentally verify the design with modern microwave vector network analysers.

Schedule

TimeEdit (Links to an external site.)

Course literature

David M. Pozar: Microwave engineering: 4th ed, Wiley, (ISBN13: 9780470631553).
Scientific and technical papers.

Additional/optional reading: Foundations for microwave engineering, by Robert E. Collin.

Course design

The course is organised around lectures, tutorials, experimental work, mock exams, home assignments, company visit, and written examination  as follows:

  • Lectures 28 hours (Jan Stake, Helena Rodilla, Vincent Desmaris, Peter Sobis);
  • Tutorials 28 hours (Anis, Yin);
  • Voluntary home assignments: 1-2 problems per week. These extra problems will allow you to receive feedback on your learning progress ();
  • Voluntary mock exams: 2. The idea is to be exposed to realistic examination problems, at an early stage of the course (Juan);
  • Laboratory work: 1) design of a microwave coupler, 2) characterization of your coupler design and 3) computer 3D EM simulation lab . The purpose is to become  familiar with typical high frequency  CAD tools and to gain practical microwave measurement experience. (Anis Moradi);
  • Visit to a local microwave company and guest lecture. The purpose is to see microwave engineering in practise (Peter Sobis); 
  • Written exam. The final exam, which consists of six problems,  is aligned with the learning objectives of the course.  

The best way to reach the learning objectives of this course is to solve a lot of problems, and discuss & reflect with your peers and teachers. Don't hesitate to drop by and ask questions.

We use Canvas as a platform for communicating and providing  material for the course.

The design of the branch line coupler (lab 1) will be carried out using a CAD tool called ADS, and will take place in computer room: MT14, M-building. The final design will be fabricated and then tested (lab 2) in measurement lab: B518, MC2-building.

The 3D EM simulation lab (no 3) is based on Ansys HFSS. One can search which computer rooms at Chalmers have  the software by clicking here (Links to an external site.) and serching for any "Ansys". Or, it can be installed on your own computer.  An overview and demonstration of the HFSS tool is scheduled.

You should be clear how missed deadlines and revisions are handled.

Changes made since the last occasion

NA.

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

  1. Analyse wave propagating properties of guided wave structures (TE, TM, TEM waves): coaxial line, parallel plate, microstrip, stripline, rectangular and circular waveguides, and coupled lines;
  2. Apply N-port representations for analysing microwave circuits;
  3. Apply the Smith chart to evaluate microwave networks;
  4. Design and evaluate impedance matching networks;
  5. Design, evaluate and characterise directional couplers and power dividers;
  6. Design and analyse attenuators, phase shifters and resonators;
  7. Explain basic properties of ferrite devices (circulators, isolators).

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen.

Study plan (Links to an external site.)

Examination form

Successful completion of this course is based on:

  • Passed written examination (open book), scheduled for January 10, 2022. On the exam, it is allowed to have: book by Pozar, and Chalmers approved calculator;
  • Completion of three lab exercises (Lab 1-2 according to schedule; Lab 3 (3D lab) report deadline is Friday Dec 17th

Course summary:

Date Details Due