This course deals with the practical aspects of RF and microwave systems and components. An overview of radar systems is followed by an introduction to communication systems. The majority of the course treats the linear and nonlinear characteristics of individual components and their relation to receiver system performance. Amplifiers, mixers, antennas, filters, and frequency sources are studied, as well as their impact on receiver performance. Top-level receiver designs for a radar system, a wide-band surveillance system, or a communication system application may be studied. Assignments reinforce the course material and may require use of design software. Prerequisite(s): An undergraduate degree in electrical engineering or equivalent.
The course consists of 12 modules. Homework will be assigned each week except as noted. The homework will be graded within a week, discussed in a following class, and the solutions will be posted. Examinations are open book and open notes.
Date | Module | Instructor | Topic | Notes |
August 26 | 1 | Kaul | Introduction, Radar and Wideband Systems | |
September 2 | No class (Labor Day) | |||
September 9 | 2 | Wilson | Communication Systems | |
September 16 | 3 | Kaul | Antennas | |
September 23 | 4 | Wilson | Filters | |
September 30 | 5 | Wilson | Amplifiers | |
October 7 | 6 | Kaul | Mixers | |
October 14 | 7 | Kaul | Sources | Sources lecture material not included in Mid-Term Exam |
October 21 | 8 | Mid-Term Exam | ||
October 28 | 9 | Wilson | Cascades | |
November 4 | 10 | Kaul | Wideband Receiver Design | |
November 11 | 11 | Wilson | Narrowband Receiver Design | |
November 18 | 12 | Kaul | Transmitters | |
November 25 | No class (Thanksgiving week) | |||
December 2 | 13 | Kaul | Passive Components | No homework will be assigned related to this lecture |
December 9 | 14 | Final Exam |
The goal of this course is to develop the student's understanding of linear and nonlinear effects in microwave components and cascades of components. Overall receiver system performance in terms of noise figure, gain, bandwidth, spurious product generation, etc., is evaluated.
Notes will be posted in the modules for each of the topics. No textbooks are required. Optional textbooks are listed below.
Homework and exams are weighted equally toward your final grade.
EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10). We will use the EP Grading system.
Score Range | Letter Grade |
---|---|
100-97 | = A+ |
96-93 | = A |
92-90 | = A− |
89-87 | = B+ |
86-83 | = B |
82-80 | = B− |
79-77 | = C+ |
76-73 | = C |
72-70 | = C− |
69-67 | = D+ |
66-63 | = D |
<63 | = F |
Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses
Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.
Academic Misconduct Policy
All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.
This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.
Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility
Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.
For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.
Student Conduct Code
The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically.
For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/
Classroom Climate
JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity.
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).
Course Auditing
When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.