Course Catalogue

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The aim of this course is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of microwave monolithic integrated crcuits. Besides learning the design process and tools necessary to reaching the circuit layout, students will learn the design and operation of advanced high-frequency electronic including high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), microwave amplifiers, oscillators, mixers.

This course will be timetabled in blocks, typically one week in four with tutorials and on-line support available between each block.

Mandatory Entry Requirements

None

Recommended Entry Requirements

None

None

None

Assessment

Examination 75%

Design Study 25%

Reassessment

In accordance with the University's Code of Assessment reassessments are normally set for all courses which do not contribute to the honours classifications. For non honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students, and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions are listed below in this box.

Due to the nature of the coursework and sequencing of courses, it is not possible to reassess the coursework laboratory.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below.

Due to the nature of the coursework and sequencing of courses, it is not possible to reassess the coursework laboratory.

The initial grade on coursework laboratories will be used when calculating the resit grade.

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the design and operation of advanced high-frequency electronic, including high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), low-noise and power amplifier, detectors.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Use semiconductor E-k bandstructure diagrams to design high frequency devices;

• Design high electron mobility transistors (HEMT) and heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT);

• Calculate the mismatch between devices and/or subcircuits and design a matching network.

• Describe and draw the process flow for RF and millimetre wave integrated circuits, in particular microwave monolithic integrated circuits (MMIC).

• Demonstrate the use industry standard tools to model the DC and RF response of passive and active RF/microwave devices and circuits.

•Design microwave and mm wave integrated circuits such as amplifiers, oscillator and low noise receivers;

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment. In addition students must submit work for assessment for the course laboratory or a grade of credit withheld will be given.

Students must attend the timetabled laboratory classes.

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation/submission rates. Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.