RF, Microwave and Optoelectronic Systems

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

431-329 Electromagnetics, 431-222 Electronic Circuit Design 1 (prior to 2005 Electronic Devices)

On completion of this subject students should be able to describe the operation of a wide range of RF, microwave and optoelectronic devices. They should be able to design and analyse the performance of a variety of wireless and optoelectronic systems, including communication links.

Topics include: Part 1: architecture of wireless systems; modulation/demodulation; noise figure (definition, measurement, calculation); operation, implementation and characteristics of various microwave and RF devices (attenuators, power combiners/splitters, couplers, switches, amplifiers and oscillators); antenna types and characteristics; calculating performance of transmitters and receivers; calculating wireless link performers; applications of RF and microwaves (communications, radar, remote sensing).

Part 2: review of direct and indirect semiconductors; light-emitting diodes; lasers (principles and operation, types - Fabry-Perot and DFB); photogenerative absorption; photodiodes (pn, pin and avalanche devices: structure, operation, characteristics); transimpedance, amplifier; solar cells; optical fibre (multimode and singlemode - principle of operation, manufacture, optical transmission characteristics - attenuation, dispersion); simple photonic link design (receiver noise and bit-error rate, receiver sensitivity, power budget, margin, dispersion penalty); application of optical communications; introduction to optical transmission formats and protocols.

On completing this subject the student should be able to:

• Explain the physical principles that underpin the operation of a variety of radio frequency, microwave and optoelectronic devices;
• Model and analyse the performance of systems comprising such devices, including communication links.

• One final examination (duration three hours) (70%),
• One mid-semester test (duration one hour) (10%),
• Laboratory work and written reports not exceeding 6000 words (20%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals

• Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large

• In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline

• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution

• Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance

• Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member

• Understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development

• Expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, capacity to do so

• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning

• Intellectual curiosity and creativity, including understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of research activity

• Openness to new ideas and unconventional critiques of received wisdom

• Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship