02191 - Microwaves

Learning outcomes

The course leads to the acquisition of a good theoretical and practical knowledge of typical antenna systems and of the basic aspects regarding the design of RF/microwave circuits. They will also reach the capability of using a typical program for microwave CAD.

Course contents

A. free propagation and antennas

A1. Introduction: Maxwell's equation and radiation from a field source;

A2. Antenna radiation parameters (gain, bandwidth, radiation function, ecc.);

A3. Wire antennas: dipoles and dipole-like antenna;

A4. Linear array: array factor, end-fire and broad-side array. Yagi-Uda antenna and log-periodic array;

A5. Radiation from aperture: horn antennas and parabolic reflector;

B. Guided propagation and microwave circuits

B1. General background on Microwaves: Definitions. Applications of microwaves. From waveguides to hybrid integrated circuits.

B2. Impedance matching: Transmission lines. Smith Chart. Stub matching networks. Quarter-wave matching network. Impedance matching with lumped elements.

B3. Circuit matrices: Impedance, admittance and chain (ABCD) matrices. Scattering matrix and its properties.

B4. Microwave CAD: Circuit simulation and design. Numerical optimization and algorithms.

B5. Transmission lines for planar circuits: TEM propagation. The stripline. Quasi-TEM propagation. The microstrip. Dispersion in microstrip. Equivalent-guide model for microstrip.

B6. Selected topics in microwave CAD: Monolithic microwave integrated circuits. Discontinuities in microwave integrated circuits. Electromagnetic simulation.

Introduction to a commercial software tool for RF/microwave-circuits CAD

Computer-aided synthesis of the main classes of matching networks

Computer-aided synthesis of planar transmission lines

Numerical optimization of a wide-band matching network

Introduction of discontinuities in the designed circuits. Performance optimization

Readings/Bibliography

- G. Conciauro - Introduzione alle onde elettromagnetiche, Mc. Graw Hill

- V. Rizzoli, D. Masotti - Lezioni di Sistemi di Antenna, Progetto Leonardo

- C. Balanis - Antenna Theory, Wiley & Sons

- W. Stutzman - Antenna Theory and design, Wiley & Sons

- V. Rizzoli, A. Lipparini - Propagazione elettromagnetica guidata, Esculapio

- Fred Gardiol - Introduction to Microwaves, Artech House

- R.E. Collin - Foundations for Microwave Engineering, 2 ed. McGraw-Hill

- R. Sorrentino, G. Bianchi - Ingegneria delle microonde e delle radiofrequenze, McGraw-Hill

- M. Steer - Microwave and RF Design, A Systems Approach, SciTech

Teaching methods

Teaching appointments. The theoretical subjects are complemented by laboratory exercises based on the use of a typical commercial software package for RF/microwave circuit design and by a visit to an external research center.

Assessment methods

The examination consists of three part:

1. Written test on Part A (excercise resolution);

2. laboratory test on Part B, including exercises of the same kind as those developed during the course;

3. oral discussion;

The written and laboratory tests take place contextually (same day, same classroom, same hours). The oral discussion is limited to the students who get a satisfactory evaluation in the written and laboratory tests.

Teaching tools

Lection notes.

Commercial software package for RF/microwave CAD: Ansoft Designer SV (Student Version, available to the students in the same configuration as used in the laboratory).

Office hours

See the website of Franco Fuschini

See the website of Andrea Neri