EE 433

Title: COMMUNICATION ELECTRONICS

Credits: 3

Catalog Description: Active and passive filters. Transistors. RF Amplifier analysis and synthesis using y-parameters. LC and crystal oscillators. PLL’s and frequency synthesizers. Linear and exponential modulator and demodulator design.  

Prerequisite: EE 334.

Coordinator: Avni Morgül, Professor of Electrical Engineering

Goals: This course provides seniors majoring in the electronics and/or communications, skills in analyzing and designing of high frequency amplifiers and other electronic circuits used in HF communications.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Analyze and design HF amplifier and matching circuits by using y-parameters and S-parameters.
2. Use special HF analysis and design tools such as Smith chart.
3. Analyze and design of a communication link given transmitter/receiver system specs.
4. Understand the operation and design of sophisticated HF communication circuits such as PLL frequency synthesizers, mixers, oscillators etc.

Textbooks: Microwave and RF Design of Wireless Systems, by David M. Pozar, John Wiley, 2001

Reference Texts:

1. Modern Communication Circuits, J. Smith, McGraw Hill Co., 1986
2. High Frequency Amplifiers, by R. S. Carson, John Wiley & Sons, 1982
3. RF circuit Design, by Chris Bowick, Newnes, 1982
4. Solid State Radio Engineering, by H. L. Krauss-C. W. Bostian- F. H. Raab, John  Wiley & Sons, 1980

Prerequisites by Topic:

• Basic Electronics and Electronic Circuit Design.
• Fundamentals of Communication Systems
• Time and frequency domain analysis of electronic circuits.
• Complex algebra.

Topics:

1. Transmission Lines and Smith Chart (2 classes)
2. HF Network Analysis, y and S-parameters. (2 classes)
3. Matching Networks (3 classes)
4. Noise and distortion in HF Systems (4 classes)
5. Filters (3 classes)
6. HF amplifiers. Analysis and design  (6 classes)
7. Mixers (2 classes)
8. Oscillators (2 classes)
9. PLL circuits and frequency synthesis. (4 classes)
10. Modulation Techniques (4 classes)
11. Receiver design (4 classes)
12. Midterm exams. (4 classes)

Course Structure: This course is divided into two sections. In the first section, transmission line basics, impedance matching, filters and analysis and design of high frequency transistor amplifiers will be studied by using y-parameters and S-parameters. Graphical tools (The Smith Chart), computers and complex algebra will be used intensively. At the end of this section the first mid-term exam will be given. The second section of the course will cover more sophisticated HF communications circuits, such as, oscillators, mixers, PLL frequency synthesizer circuits and radio receivers. The second mid-term will be given in the beginning of December. The exams are “open book” or “closed and open” book type. The book and lecture notes may be open after answering the text questions. i.e. the students are not supposed to memorize the long equations to solve the problems. There will be homework every week or every two-week depending on the studied subjects.

Grading :

1. Final (45% )
2. Midterms (40%)
3. Homework (15%) (subject to minor changes)

Computer Resources: EE department PC Labs.

Laboratory Resources: Not Applicable.

Outcome Coverage:

• An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering. Students must be able to use complex algebra efficiently. They use basic electronic circuit design principles and understand why they must use y and S-parameters instead of h-parameters at high frequencies. They also need to use previous knowledge about logic circuits and basic telecommunication theory.

• An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs. Throughout the weekly home works and other exams they practice how to analyze and design electronic circuits and systems to be used in HF communications and to satisfy certain specs.

• An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems. Most of the midterm and final exams of this course is open-book. So the student should have the ability to identify the required equations and method to be used for solving a problem, instead of memorizing the equations.

• An ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. The students use computers for simulating the HF circuits by SPICE and they use software for Smith Chart impedance matching. They check their homework solutions with SPICE and computer aided Smith Chart solutions.

Prepared by: Avni Morgül

Last Revised:  May 15, 2003