Lecturer: Paolo Arcioni  

Course name: Microwaves
Course code: 504437
Degree course: Electronic Engineering
Disciplinary field of science: ING-INF/02
L'insegnamento è caratterizzante per: Electronic Engineering
University credits: ECTS 9
Course website: n.d.

Specific course objectives

The course aims to address the theoretical aspects and applications of microwave engineering. In particular, at the end of the course the student must have acquired the theoretical knowledge base of waveguide circuits and the theory of microwave junctions; must understand the principle of operation of the main passive components (attenuators, phase shifters, directional couplers, power dividers, circulators, isolators, filters, etc..) circuits used in waveguide and microstrip designs; must be able to design simple active circuits (amplifiers, oscillators), using the modern means of computer aided design and critically discussing the results.

Course programme

The course initially touches upon theoretical aspects concerning the propagation in metallic waveguides, resonant cavities of the theory and the theory of passive microwave junctions. Then we mainly deal with arguments of type application, with an overview of passive microwave components and an examination of the major issues relating to active and non-linear circuits. More specifically, the course program is structured as follows:

Metallic waveguides
General theory and modal developments. Rectangular waveguide, the circular, coaxial cable. Attenuation in waveguides.

Resonant cavities
Spectral representation of the electromagnetic field in a closed region (eigenvectors Irrotational and solenoid). Ideal resonant cavities. Actual resonant cavities.

Theory of microwave junctions
Theoretical foundations of linear representation of junctions using arrays of impedance, admittance and dissemination. Conditions of physical feasibility of passive or joints without loss. Equivalent circuits and representations of Foster.

Microwave components
Study of the principle of operation and sizing of major components used in passive microwave circuits. Computer aided design techniques: CAD-based methods and methods based on equivalent circuits of electromagnetic analysis.

Design of active and / or nonlinear circuits
Study of small signal amplifiers. Stability conditions deduced from the parameters of diffusion of the active component of the linearized model: looking for stability, Rollet parameter. Broadband amplifiers: gain equalization methods. Solid state power amplifiers: techniques of nonlinear analysis in time domain, harmonic balance methods, characteristic parameters of power amplifiers (power condition of saturation, IP3, etc..). Simple mixer, balanced mixer and mixer image rejection. Study of ignition system and an oscillator conductance / impedance negative. Examples of solid-state oscillators. Work on the principle of operation of electronic microwave tubes (Klystron, Magnetron, TWT).

Course entry requirements

Prevoiusly introduced concepts in telecommunications and mathematics.

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 68
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0

Suggested reading materials

Robert E. Collin. Foundation for Microwave Engineering. McGraw–Hill, 1994. Testo di consultazione.

Testing and exams

A written test followed by an oral test.