ECE 447: Applied Communications Systems

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ECE 447 - Applied Communications Systems

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ECE 447: Applied Communications Systems, Fall 2003 (van der Weide)

ECE 447: Applied Communications Systems, Fall 2003 (masland)

ECE 447: Applied Communications Systems, Spring 2000 (van der Weide)

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Catalog Description

447 Applied Communications Systems. I; 3 cr. Analysis with design problems of electronic communications circuits. Emphasis on the nonlinear effects of large-signal operation of active devices. Complete design of r.f. oscillator, amplifier, and mixer circuits. P: ECE 340 or cons inst.

Course Prerequisite(s)

ECE 340

Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills

Ability to analyze n-port networks using their parameters (Z, Y, S, ABCD, etc.)
Ability to design impedance-matching networks using lumped and distributed elements
Understanding of transmission line properties such as characteristic impedance, loss, dispersion, etc.
Ability to apply Smith chart representation of reflection coefficient and impedance/admittance in analysis and design
Ability to design simple FET and BJT amplifier circuits at low frequencies
Ability to use Unix for running CAD applications

Textbook(s) and/or other required material

Required text: "Microwave Transistor Amplifiers: Analysis and Design," 2nd ed., Guillermo Gonzalez (Prentice-Hall 1997, 1984)
Reference texts: "Microwave and RF Design of Wireless Systems," David Pozar (Wiley 2001), "Microwave Engineering," 2nd ed., David Pozar (Wiley 1997); "Fields and Waves in Communication Electronics," Ramo, Whinnery & van Duzer (Wiley 1984, 1965)

Course objectives

This course draws on electromagnetic theory for transmission lines, device physics for linear and nonlinear transistor models, time- and frequency-domain measurements, and industrially-relevant CAD software for a comprehensive introduction to time- and frequency-domain IC concepts in the picosecond/GHz regime. The course lays the foundations of understanding and designing hardware for wireless communications systems.
Objective: This course will develop students' knowledge of high frequency (microwave) components for communication, measurement, and sensing systems.
Strategy: By alternating between high- and low-level discussions, analysis and design of a wide variety of microwave elements, components, subsystems and systems, the instructor seeks to maintain rigor at the fundamental level while continuously placing these details in the context of the above-mentioned systems.
Outcomes: By the end of the course, students will be conversant in microwave element, component, subsystem and system terminology, understand the advantages and limitations of different design approaches, and be able to draw upon a wide range of tools, both analytical and numerical, to solve microwave circuit design problems. Each student will have proposed, designed, analyzed, and simulated an industrially-relevant component such as a coupled line filter, mixer, amplifier, oscillator, or simulation tool while presenting intermediate and final results to the rest of the class.

Topics covered

Review of transmission line fundamentals
Analysis, discussion and design of planar transmission line structures
Review of network parameters, emphasizing scattering (S) parameters
Review of the Smith chart
Discussion of microwave measurements
Analysis, discussion and design of planar (coupled line) filters, transitions, vias, couplers, matching networks
Analysis and discussion of diodes as varactors, detectors, switches
Discussion of transistors: GaAs FETs, Si BJTs, and use of CMOS at microwave frequencies
Analysis and discussion of small-signal amplifiers, both narrowband and broadband (low noise, high gain, balanced, traveling wave); design of narrowband amplifiers
Discussion of power amplifiers
Analysis and discussion of oscillators, both fixed and tunable (cavity, VCO, YIG); design of fixed oscillators
Analysis and discussion of mixers
Discussion of subsystems and other components, e.g. phase shifters, samplers, heterodyne techniques, frequency synthesis
Discussion of systems, e.g. communication, radar, sensors
Discussion of current topics, e.g. field measurement/calculation, optoelectronic modulators and detectors, low-power CMOS circuits, device modeling (both linear and nonlinear)
Further topics for discussion: time-domain reflectometry; network analyzers, both scalar and vector; assembly, probing and packaging techniques
Final design project, incorporating design, analysis, CAD, and reporting

Class/laboratory schedule

Two class meetings per week: 2:30-3:45 Tuesday/Thursday, 2534 Engineering Hall
Discussion section: 6:00-7:30 PM Tuesday, 3418 Engineering Hall
Occasional meetings in van der Weide laboratory, 1423 Engineering Hall, for demonstrations and project work
Occasional meetings in a CAD workstation room (e.g. B540 EH) to demonstrate software

Contribution of course to meeting the professional component

This course contributes primarily to the students' knowledge of engineering topics, and does provide design experience.

The following statement indicates which of the following considerations are included in this course: economic, environmental, ethical, political, societal, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability.

Economic constraints on systems are discussed and applied to designs Societal issues are occasionally mentioned in the context of design decisions and constraints Manufacturability discussions are frequently encouraged in the context of component design

Relationship of course to undergraduate degree program objectives and outcomes

This course primarily serves students in the department. The information below describes how the course contributes to the undergraduate program objectives.

knowledge in the basic techniques of mathematics and the physical sciences knowledge of measurement techniques and experimental procedures in core electrical and computer engineering applications advanced expertise in design, analysis, and fabrication techniques within a student-selected electrical and computer engineering concentration area strong skills in problem solving, leadership, and communication the ability to make thoughtful, well-informed career choices

Assessment of student progress toward course objectives

Student progress will be assessed by the degree of achievement in:
Accurate and complete solutions to assigned homework problems and examination questions
Comprehensive approaches to the final project, including proposal, design, analysis, simulation, and reporting
Thoughtful classroom discussions (attendance, student lectures, project presentations)

Person(s) who prepared this description

Daniel van der Weide

Copyright 2007 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Date last modified: 18-Jul-2007
Content by: ece@engr.wisc.edu
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