ECE 3113: Introduction to RF Circuit Design

This course is designed to provide students with the basic principles of radio frequency (RF) circuit design. It concentrates on topics such as designing tuning and matching networks for analog and digital communication, satellite navigation, and radar systems. After reviewing equivalent circuit representations for RF diodes, transistors, FETs, and their input/output impedance behavior, the course examines the difference between lumped and distributed parameter systems. Characteristics impedance, standing waves, reflection coefficients, insertion loss, and group delay of RF circuits will be explained. Within the context of Maxwell’s theory the course will then focus on the graphical display of the reflection coefficient (Smith Chart) and its importance in designing matching circuits. Students will learn the difference between SPICE and monolithic and microwave integrated circuit analysis, and design (MMICAD) modeling. Biasing and matching networks for single and multistage amplifiers in the 900 to 2,000 MHz range are analyzed and optimized in terms of input/output impedance matching, insertion loss, and groups delays.