Unit information: Radio Frequency Engineering 4 in 2021/22

Unit name	Radio Frequency Engineering 4
Unit code	EENGM6501
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Morris
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

The aim is to provide an introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of RF and microwave circuit design. This includes a detailed study of RF transistor amplifier design, covering RF transistor behaviour and selection; Smith Chart design of small-signal amplifiers using lumped-element and stub matching techniques; and RF power amplification and linearity considerations in RF systems.

• Components at RF, resonant circuits; Q factor, Fixed Q, High Q and low Q impedance matching; Semiconductors at RF and BJT models at RF; s-parameters.
• Small-signal RF amplifier design: bias networks, stability and matching.
• Smith chart matching network design.
• Amplifier design using Smith charts: stability, gain control and matching network design.
• Low-noise design: choice of bias point and noise figure.
• Principles of microwave systems; microwave amplifier design; Transmitter architectures; Amplifier distortion: modelling, intercept point, harmonic and inter-modulation distortion.
• Large-signal RF amplifier types and classes.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Having completed this unit, students will be able to:

1. Design bias circuits for class A RF amplifiers
2. Explain the relationship between Q factor and system bandwidth
3. Describe and model component (R,L and C) behaviour at RF
4. Design L, π , T and multiple L type matching networks
5. Use s-parameter data
6. Develop BJT models at RF
7. Read and interpret a Smith chart
8. Use a Smith chart to design L, π, and T matching networks
9. Use a Smith chart to design single stub matching networks
10. Apply simple amplifier distortion models and calculate intercept point
11. Describe the different classes of RF power amplifier (A,B,C,D,E,F and S)
12. Design a small signal RF amplifier
13. Design a low noise RF amplifier
14. Design a multiple stage RF amplifier
15. Describe the main amplifier linearisation techniques

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.

Assessment Information

Formative : Online Test 1

Summative: Exam (January, 100%)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EENGM6501).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.