Overview
Based on a course at North Carolina State University, Microwave and RF Design: A Systems Approach is a comprehensive introduction to RF and microwave design but with a modern "systems-first" approach. Now more than ever, companies need engineers with an ingrained appreciation of systems and armed with the skills to make system decisions. This book is meticulously crafted to so the student (or new engineer) understands the impact that system-level decisions have on component and subsystem design and vice versa. The book was developed not only with the ideas and suggestions of professionals in academia and industry, but also on the comments of nearly 1,000 electrical engineering graduate students who have used drafts of this book.
For Academia
This book was developed for three courses; a final year undergraduate class, an introductory graduate class, and an advanced graduate class. It is developed around five modules that are largely independent but are best taught in sequence. A standard microwave class can be taught around modules 2 and 3 while a systems first class can be taught with the systems module and continuing through the transmission line and network module. Whatever the course, the fundamental philosophy is instructing on the broader impact; systems should be discussed first and not left as an afterthought. The most ingenious part is that one book can be used for multiple courses which build upon each other to reach a goal of sending a new engineer into industry with systems level knowledge.
Supplementary materials for instructors include PowerPoint slides and solutions to selected problems. A complete set of solutions can be obtained by contacting the publisher.
Professional Engineers
This is a valuable systems primer, a refresher as needed, and a reference tool in the field. It will also serve those outside of RF circuit engineering who need to understand how they can work with RF hardware engineers. Creating innovative microwave and radio frequency systems that address market needs, or provide for new opportunities, is the most exciting challenge in RF design. Engineers who can conceptualize and architect new RF systems are in great demand. This book will provide the necessary background by stressing system principles immediately followed by core component technologies. It fulfills the role of fostering both high level abstraction of RF engineering, and also detailed design skills to realize effective RF and microwave components.
Synopsis
Key Features
1. Modern Treatment
This treatment of radio frequency and microwave engineering provides the tools for engineers to work with modern radio, radar and sensor systems. Advanced components and design techniques are presented, along with a thoroughly modern treatment of traditional microwave theory and techniques.
2. Well Rounded Radio Frequency and Microwave Engineer
Learning RF and microwave engineering through this book prepares the student and practicing engineer with the skills to engage RF and microwave engineering in the context of the larger system. The engineer will be able to engage in the important tradeoffs between microwave, analog, RF, digital and algorithmic design.
3. Valuable Resource
This book is a valuable resource for the practicing engineer with in-depth analysis of modern microwave components and subsystems. The practicing engineer will be able to develop and refine the techniques required to achieve competitive designs.
4. End of Chapter Exercises
The extensive end-of-chapter exercises emphasize design rather than rote problem solving.
5. Solutions Manual
A detailed solution manual is available to qualified instructors.
6. Examples
A large number of design examples are presented throughout the book. Most form the basis of end of chapter exercises so that the student can solve design problems while referencing a similar chapter example. In many cases complex concepts are presented through worked designs embedded in the main body of the text. These include distributed biasing networks, amplifier design, voltage controlled oscillator design, filter design, and balun design.
7. Design
Design is emphasized throughout the book through end of chapter exercises and chapter examples. Much of design is open-ended with problem specific design decisions, and so many topics are introduced through detailed design derivations. Examples include filter design in Chapter 10 where a bandpass combine filter design spread over 16 pages is used to illustrate the filter design process. Chapter 13 on network synthesis is based entirely on four worked designs.