The learning outcomes of the assignment are:
- to improve microwave design skills for optimising a realistic design according to given specs
- to acquire practical skills for manufacturing and testing a working microwave prototype
- to deepen understanding of essential microwave measurement techniques
- to improve ones ability to cooperate effectively within a small group
- to learn communicating the progress of one's own project work,
- to
learn to prepare and give an oral presentation, and
- to self-evaluate one's own learning progress.
Miscellaneous information:
- The assignment is carried out individually until the microwave components are manufactured and tested.
- The planned nominal extent of the project is 2 ECTS. Hence, each student is assumed to use approximately 2 x 27 hours = 54 hours for this assignment (in average 3-4 hours per week during 2.5 periods).
- During the whole semester, each student gives short weekly or biweekly updates on project status in MyCourses.
- You can get your own student license for AWR (only for Aalto students) for working outside class. AWR is also installed in both PC classes in Maarintie 8, as well as in "Maari-E" in Maarintalo! Currently, you can use AWR on Maarintie 8 PC-class workstations remotely through https://mfavdi.aalto.fi
Schedules:
- The project schedule is as follows (teacher and course assistant are available throughout the semester):
- September 20: Kick-off of the project. Draft working plan, select of radar component(s) to be manufactured.
- Sept. 20- Oct. 4: Working on circuit design. On Mondays at 12:00-14:00 -> project/CAD support sessions in classroom/Zoom.
Please do use these support sessions to get support! - October 6: 1st milestone: Gerber layout file, needed for the external manufacturing of the PCBs (see deadlines below). Learning diary #1 of the first project section to the individual student return folder.
- Oct. 25/Nov. 1: Project lab sessions for soldering and measuring each student's circuit board(s), in ELE μwave lab (Maarintie 8, room 2161).
- November 1: Intermediate project check-point: your prototype circuit board(s) operate(s) (2nd milestone), and you collected all relevant performance measurements!
- November 15: Project seminar, reporting measurement results of individual circuit prototypes and estimate for realistic radar range. Learning diary #2 of the second project section (by Wednesday, Nov. 17).
- December 13: Demo-session for testing a few student prototypes in a realistic radar test setup (hybrid: on-site and in Zoom).
- December 22: Learning diary #3
Return deadlines:
October 6, i.e. soon after the Monday session: Upload to the return folder in MyCourses:
- Group: The Gerber file containing final layouts of all your sub-circuits to the individual student return folder.
- Student: Personal learning diary #1 of the first part of the project work (see return box below)
- Group: The Gerber file containing final layouts of all your sub-circuits to the individual student return folder.
- November 15 by 10 a.m.: Upload to the return folders in MyCourses:
- Upload your presentation slideset (final draft) to the "Project seminar slides" activity below this paragraph by 10 a.m.. Slides should contain relevant measured results, showing the individual circuit operates as expected. Also consider its effect on the operation within a realistic radar setup (i.e. estimate the theoretical radar range when your prototype is combined with the back-up components).
- By Wednesday, Nov. 17: Personal learning diary #2 of the second part of the project work (see return box below)
- by Wednesday, Dec. 22, Learning diary #3 of the final project (see return box below)
Project presentation session on November 15, 2021, at 12:15:
- Each
student presents to the other students their project results, i.e. evidence that their circuits works, and other achievements (e.g. theoretical radar range estimate based on characteristics of own+realistic components).
- Presentations must be concise as each presentation can last max. 6 minutes! After each presentation there is ~4 minutes for questions and
discussion.