525.775.8VL2 - RF & Microwave Circuits II
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Fall 2026
Description
This course builds upon the knowledge gained in 525.774 RF and Microwave Circuits I. Here there is a greater emphasis on designs involving active components. Linear and power amplifiers and oscillators are considered, as well as stability, gain, and their associated design circles. The course uses computer-aided design techniques and students fabricate and test circuits of their own design.
Instructor
Course Structure
Lecture | Date | Topic | Homework Topics |
1 | Jan 23 | Active Devices, FETs, Gain, etc. | |
2 | Jan 30 | Active Devices, Matching & Models | HW1 – linear model |
3 | Feb 6 | General Purpose Amplifier | HW2 – GPA |
4 | Feb 13 | Low Noise Amplifier | HW3 - LNA |
5 | Feb 20 | Power Amp (Cripps) | HW4 - PA |
6 | Feb 27 | ADS/MWO Non Linear—Simulate PA | HW5 – ADS/MWO |
7 | Mar 6 | Oscillators | HW6 - VCO |
8 | Mar 13 | Office Hours | |
X | Mar 20 | Break | |
9 | Mar 27 | Broadband Amplifier Techniques (Feedback & Bal Amp) & X2 (Lab 1) | |
10 | Apr 3 | Discuss Projects | |
11 | Apr 10 | Antennas, Communications Systems | |
12 | Apr 17 | Other Circuits (Class A/AB/C/F?) | |
13 | Apr 24 | Intro to MMIC | |
14 | May 1 | Final Projects Due |
Course Topics
- Active Devices, FETs, Gain, etc.
- Active Devices, Matching & Models
- General Purpose Amplifier
- Low Noise Amplifier
- Power Amp (Cripps)
- ADS/MWO Non Linear—Simulate PA
- Oscillators
- Broadband Amp Techniques (Feedback & Bal Amp) & X2
- Discuss Projects
- Antennas, Communications Systems
- Other Circuits (Class A/AB/C/F?)
- Intro to MMIC
Course Goals
- Understand Active Devices and be able to design amplifiers, and oscillators.
- Appreciate the design tradeoffs for power, noise figure, gain, match, and stability.
- Appreciate linear versus non-linear simulations (ADS & MWO).
- Understand the importance of DC biasing amplifiers and its affect on RF matching and performance.
- Get a basic understanding of how active circuits are used in systems.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
- Understand Active Devices and be able to design amplifiers, and oscillators.
- Appreciate the design tradeoffs for power, noise figure, gain, match, and stability.
- Appreciate linear versus non-linear simulations (ADS & MWO).
- Understand the importance of DC biasing amplifiers and its affect on RF matching and performance.
- Get a basic understanding of how active circuits are used in systems.
Textbooks
Required Software
Student Coursework Requirements
30% H W and 20% Labs, 50% Final Project
10% penalty per week for late homework
A=90-100, B=80-89
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A=90-100, B=80-89
Academic Policies
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. 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
Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility
Student Conduct 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.