Tech Elective Night, IEEE Student Branch, U of A February 15, 2012 1
Electromagnetics and Microwaves
Prof. Ashwin K. Iyer
http://www.ece.ualberta.ca/~iyer
University of Alberta Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Tech Elective Night, IEEE Student Branch, U of A February 15, 2012 2
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Phys230EE240EE250
Circuit
Theory
Microwave
Engineering Optics/PhotonicsCondensed-Matter
PhysicsStatics/
Waves
Statics/
Waves
EE315 EE451: RF Communication CircuitsEE476: Engineering Electromagnetics IIEE478: Microwave Circuits
Tech Elective Night, IEEE Student Branch, U of A February 15, 2012 3
Circuit Operation at High Frequencies
Circuit
TheoryRF/Microwave Engineering and beyond
Statics/
Waves
Increasing Frequency
• ω → 0 (dc)
• Size d doesn’t
matter
• VA = VB
Next-generation high-frequency circuit design demands a knowledge of electromagnetics.
Why? Because circuits behave very differently at high frequencies…
• ω ≠ 0, phase ωt
incurred with time
• Size d still doesn’t
matter (ω not large
enough) ⇒ can be
lumped into L, C
• VA ≠ VB, phase shift
due to ω
• ω large
• Guided-wave propagation
⇒ a transmission line!
• Phase ωt–kd incurred with
time and space ⇒ size d
matters!
• VA ≠ VB, phase shift due
to ω and k
• ω very large
• Possibility for strong
radiation from circuit into
space ⇒ an antenna!
• Concepts here are scalable
to mm-wave, submm-
wave, THz, optics, etc.
d << λλλλd < λλλλ
d →→→→ 0
d
d
d ~ λλλλ
VA VB VA VB VA VB
Tech Elective Night, IEEE Student Branch, U of A February 15, 2012 4
EE451: RF Communication Circuits
• Overview– Instructor: Prof. Kambiz Moez
– RF ⇒ between d<<λ and d<λ
– Circuits use R, L, C, designed for high freq.
• Syllabus– Introd. TL theory, Z-matching, network analysis
– Noise, linearity, dynamic range
– CMOS passive/active circuits
– LNAs, Mixers, Oscillators, PAs
• Labs (3 hrs / week)– design, simulation, optimization, implementation,
and test of a LNA at 1.8GHz
• Skills– EM effects in high-speed circuits
– Industry standard EM simulation software and
microwave test equipment
Tech Elective Night, IEEE Student Branch, U of A February 15, 2012 5
EE476: Engineering Electromagnetics II
• Overview– Instructor: Prof. Rambabu Karumudi
– Establish connections between d<<λ and d~λ
– Methods of guiding waves: TLs and waveguides
– Intro. to advanced EM math.
• Syllabus– Review statics, Maxwell’s equations
– TL theory, Z-matching, network analysis
– Waveguides: modes, excitation, optical fibres
– Introd. to radiation, antenna theory
• Labs (3 hrs / 2 weeks)– SWR measurement using coaxial cables, SNA
– Pulse propagation along TLs
– Intro. to waveguide couplers, resonators
• Skills– Measurement/calibration using EM equipment
– ‘Feel’ for basic EM design concepts
Tech Elective Night, IEEE Student Branch, U of A February 15, 2012 6
EE478: Microwave Circuits
• Overview– Instructor: Prof. Ashwin Iyer
– Microwave ⇒ concepts for d<λ → d~λ → d >> λ
– Scalable to mm-wave, sub-mm-wave, THz!
– Theory + emphasis on design
• Syllabus– Full TL theory, Z-matching networks
– Network analysis using S-parameters, ABCD
– Analysis & design (A&D) of several components
• Labs (3 hrs / 2 weeks)– 3 experiments: microstrip filter, Wilkinson power
divider, & amplifier w/ matching networks
• Skills– EM effects (e.g. crosstalk, parasitics) in high-freq.
circuits
– A&D�sim.�layout�(fab’n)�build�test
– Industry-standard EM sim. s/w and state-of-the-art
microwave test equipment
Transistor
Tech Elective Night, IEEE Student Branch, U of A February 15, 2012 7
Cutting-Edge Electromagnetics Research
UWB/GPR RF-MEMS Metamaterials
Artificial Dielectrics
Invisibility Cloaks!
Novel Antennas
Micro-machines!
UWB Radar
Flexible Antennas
Tech Elective Night, IEEE Student Branch, U of A February 15, 2012 8
Electromagnetics in Industry
