Microwave engineering and antennas

This unique Master-level course provides you with in-depth know-how of microwave engineering and antennas. The course combines both passive and active microwave circuits as well as antenna systems. Future applications, like millimeter-wave 5G/beyond-5G wireless communications or automotive radar, require experts that can co-design highly integrated antenna systems that include both antennas and microwave electronics. We will provide you with the required theoretical foundation as well as hands-on experience using state-of-the-art design tools.The web lectures are supported by many on-line quizzes in which you can practice the background theory. Next to this, we will provide you hands-on experience in a design-challenge in which you will learn how to design microwave circuits and antennas. Throughout the course you will work on the design challenge in which you will design a complete active phased array system, including antennas, beamformers and amplifiers. The course is supported by a book written by the team of lecturers, which will be made available to the students. After finalizing the course a certificate can be obtained (5 ECTS), which can be used when you start a full MSc program at Eindhoven University of Technology. The lecturers all have an academic and industrial background and are embedded in the Center for Wireless Technology Eindhoven (CWT/e) of Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.

• Module 1: Introduction of the course, including an overview of applications and trends.

• Module 2: Passive microwave circuits, covering transmission-line based circuits including impedance matching, power combiners, filters.

• Module 3: Antenna theory. This provides an introduction into antenna theory, including phased arrays.

• Module 4: Active microwave circuits. Extension towards amplifiers, including low-noise amplifiers.

Syllabus

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week 1
Promo
Week 1: Introduction (Module 1) and Passive Microwave Circuits (Module 2, part I)
In this short video the lecturers will introduce themselves and will provide a general overview of the scope of the course. The lecturers all have a solid academic and industrial background and are embedded in the Center for Wireless Technology Eindhoven (CWT/e) of Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.
Week 2
Week 2: Passive Microwave Circuits (Module 2, part II)
In week 1 we will provide you with an introduction to the course including an overview of applications (Module 1). In addition, we will start with Passive Microwave Circuits (Module 2) by introducing transmission line theory. We will also introduce the design-challenge in which you will develop your own 4-channel phased array system including beamformer and active microwave electronics. Next to this, we will show you how to use the open-source design tool QUCS. We will use this tool for the design of passive and active microwave circuits.
Week 3
Week 3: Passive Microwave Circuits (Module 2, part III)
In week 2 we will continue with Passive Microwave Circuits (Module 2) by introducing the concept of microwave networks. We will use this concept by analyzing power combiners. In addition, you will start your design challenge by designing a 4-channel beamformer network.
Week 4
Week 4: Antenna Theory (Module 3, part I)
In week 3 we will finalize our journey into Passive Microwave Circuits (Module 2) by first introducing the Smith chart and by applying it for the design of matching circuits. Next to this, we will show how you can design microwave filters.
Week 5
Week 5: Antenna Theory (Module 3, part II)
In week 4 we will start with Antenna Theory (Module 3) and introduce the concept of antennas by exploring the main characteristics of antennas, including directivity, antenna gain and input impedance. We will show how these parameters can be used to determine the range of wireless system or radar. As a first real antenna concept, we will introduce phased-array antennas. In addition, the design challenge will continue with an antenna design. This includes an introduction into the antenna design CST.
Week 6
Week 6: Antenna Theory (Module 3, part III)
In this week the real hard-core theoretical antenna framework is presented. Starting from Maxwell’s equations we will derive the general expression for the radiated fields by any antenna configuration. The framework will be applied to the electric dipole and wire antennas. In addition, your will participate in a workshop that introduces a state-of-the-art antenna design tool.
Week 7
Week 7: Active Microwave Circuits (Module 4, part I)
In this week we will extend our theoretical framework with magnetic sources. In this way, you can use the framework to analyze aperture antennas. We will show this by analyzing horn antennas, reflector antennas and microstrip antennas. We will also show how microstrip antennas can be used to create a phased-array system. We will finalize the week by providing you with some background knowledge in numerical methods. This will help you to understand the underlying principles of numerical electromagnetics used in commercial tools such as ADS and CST.
Week 8
Week 8: Active Microwave Circuits (Module 4, part II)
In this week we will extend the theory on microwave circuits towards active circuits which make use of transistors to realize amplifiers. We will start by introducing the various definitions which are used to describe the gain of an amplifier. As a next step we will present a design methodology for low-noise amplifiers. You will also start with the last part of your design challenge by designing a low-noise amplifier.

FAQ

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Reviews

A very challenging but rewarding course, rightly so.

Thank you for giving this opportunity .I learned both theoretical and practical knowledge including QUCS &CST software's for designing. Thank you sir.

It is a very interesting course. I enjoyed rediscovering some topic I learned many years ago. Thanks Prof. Smolders, Prof. Leenaerts and Prof. Johannsen. Greeetings from Colombia.

It was very challenging and lifetime learning experience