Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Credits: 5

Schedule: 07.09.2020 - 14.12.2020

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Clemens Icheln, Juha Mallat

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Clemens Icheln, Juha Mallat

Contact information for the course (valid 11.08.2020-21.12.2112):

Univ. Lect. Clemens Icheln, Sen.
Univ. Lect. Juha Mallat, as well as Veli-Pekka Kutinlahti and Riku Kormilainen as course assistants - use for all firstname.lastname@aalto.fi

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  System-level design and evaluation of RF devices, also considering noise and non-linearity. I.e., design of active RF circuits, and experimental evaluation of a prototype, including measurements of output spectrum and of scattering parameters.

• Applies in this implementation:

  1. System-level design and evaluation of microwave devices, also considering noise and non-linearity.
  • Design of active microwave circuits such as a radio transceiver, as well as experimental evaluation of a prototype, including basic network analysis (i.e. of scattering-parameters) through vector-network-analyser (VNA) measurements.
    
  2. Microwave measurement metrology, for spectrum analysis, network analysis, power and noise measurements, and other applications.
     

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  In-class quizzes, learning diaries, reporting group project results in a seminar, and a final in-class quiz.

• Applies in this implementation:

  The
  course is graded 0-5, based on the following
  assessment methods (for each "sub-grade", the weight in the final course grade is given in %). There are no compulsory parts. There is no make-up exam nor any additional
  assessment possibility!
  

  • Lesson
    tests (35 %): Students take four in-class lesson tests/quizzes distributed over
    the course duration. One lesson test take approximately 40 minutes. Attendance in class or in Zoom is required to have the online quizzes fully graded.
    The three best results will be counted into this sub-grade (so you can
    skip/fail one lesson test without affecting your chances for the best
    possible total "lesson-tests" grade).
    
  • Project
    work (50 %): Related to the project, students return three learning
    diaries that are assessed (10%). The final project
    seminar presentation (in class or in Zoom) contributes most to this sub-grade (40%), because this presentation
    is one key evidence of the student’s success in reaching this course’s learning
    goals.
    
  • Final
    quiz (15%): The final quiz at the end of the course follows the same online format as lesson tests but is a bit more extensive. The aim is to assess students' overall comprehension
    of the course contents.
  
  

Workload

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  Contact hours 30 h (2 h about every week). Independent work 105 h.

• Applies in this implementation:

  • 5 ECTS ⇔ 5 x 27 hours = 135 hours of working
    
  • 15 x 2 hours = 30 hours of contact teaching (also in Zoom) ⇔ 2 hours per week
    
  • 50 hours of independent studies,  average 2-3 hours per week
  • 55 hours of project work,  average 3 hours per week
    
  • The given
    number of hours for students' work is only indicative. It is subject to
    e.g. pre-knowledge and skills of a student (see pre-requisites).
    
    
  
  

DETAILS

Study Material

• Applies in this implementation:

  The main course text book is: Teppati et al (ed.): Modern RF and Microwave Measurement Techniques(2013)
  

  The second recommended text book is: R.J. Collier, A.D. Skinner: Microwave Measurements, IET (2007)

  A third text book is available: N. B. Carvalho, D. Schreurs: Microwave and Wireless Measurement Techniques (2013)
  

  Supplementary textbook in Finnish: A. Lehto, A. Räisänen: Mikroaaltomittaustekniikka, Otatieto, TKY 875, (2007)
  

  _{Generally,
  if getting the course book from the library is a problem (e.g. too few
  copies), please let us teachers know. We don't have a copy for every
  student since some students have own copies already, but we want to have
  just enough so that all who need can borrow one copy.}
  

  Within the course topic sections there are additional links to selected reading (e.g. manufacturers' application notes)

  
  

Substitutes for Courses

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  S-26.3120 Radio Engineering, laboratory course

Prerequisites

• Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

  Basic vector network analyzer/spectrum analyzer measurements, understanding of active RF components (diode/transistor biasing, stability, matching), microstrip-line design of passive components (filters, couplers, etc.).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule

• Applies in this implementation:

  For lecture schedules see section "Course Schedule"
  

  Important project-work return deadlines:

  • October 2, i.e. soon after the Monday session: Upload to the return folder in MyCourses:

    1. Group: The Gerber file containing final layouts of all your sub-circuits to the individual student return folder.
       
    2. Student: Personal learning diary #1 of the first part of the project work (see return box below)
       
  • November 09 by 10 a.m.: Upload to the return folders in MyCourses:
  1. Upload your presentation slideset (final draft) to MyCourses
     to the "Intermediate project seminar" activity below this paragraph by 10 a.m.. Slides should contain relevant measured results, showing the individual circuit operates as expected. Also consider its suitability for operation within the radar setup.
     
  2. By Wednesday, Nov. 11: Personal learning diary #2 of the second part of the project work (see return box below)

  • December 14, by 10 p.m.: Upload to the return folders in MyCourses:

  • Upload your presentation slideset (final
    draft) to MyCourses to the "Final project seminar" activity below this
    paragraph. Teachers will go through them and give some comments before the final seminar.

  • by Wednesday, Dec. 16, Learning diary #3 of the final project (see return box below)
  • Regularly every 1-2 weeks: Short status report of your progress in your individual return folder in MyCourses
    

  Final project presentation session on December 14, at 12 o'clock sharp:

  • Each
    student presents their project results and achievements to the other students.
    
  • Presentations
    must be concise as each presentation can last max. 7 minutes! After
    each presentation there is ~5 minutes for questions and
    discussion.