University of Minnesota - ECE Department

EE 5601 Introduction to RF/Microwave Engineering

Fall Semester 2019

Instructor: Prof. Rhonda R. Franklin Lecture Times: M/W 1-2:15 PM

Office: KHKH 6-127 EE/CSci Building Location: KHKH 3-111
Phone: 612-626-8978 Office Hours: M 3:00-4:30 PM or by Appointment.
E-mail: rfrank01@umn.edu Last Day: WED, May 11, 2018
TA: Mr. Aditya Dave Final Exam: SA Dec 14, 10:30AM-12:30PM

TA Name: Mr. Aditya Dave Email: davex033@umn.edu

Phone: 651-706-5443 Office room: KHKH 2-276,
Hours: TU 3-4PM; F 11:30-12:20pm

Pre-requisites: EE 3601 (starting Fall 2002)

Textbook: David Pozar, Microwave Engineering (4th Edition), ISBN: 978-0-470-63155-3
CAD Software: Keysight Advanced Design System, Sonnet
Course Web Page: myu.umn.edu (select EE5601)

Course Description. The goal of this course is to introduce the fundamentals to high frequency passive
circuit design. The course overviews transmission line theory and network analysis required to design and
evaluate passive circuits. Next, the theory of a range of passive circuits will be presented along with
empirical design methods and opportunities to use CAD tools for design and analysis. Students are
expected to have a working knowledge of electromagnetics and transmission line theory compatible with
material from EE 3601 and/or EE4601. No previous CAD tool experience is necessary.

Outline of Course Content (31 Lectures), Topics will be presented an order that complements the
RF/microwave lab offering (EE5613). See Weekly Reading Assignment on Moodle for accurate order of
topics. In general, the course will have three sections presented in the order below.

Section 1 - Transmission Line and Network Analysis Module: Transmission Line Theory and
Structures, Transmission Line Geometries, Microwave Network Analysis
Section 2 - Passive Component Module: Impedance Matching, Microwave Resonators, Power Dividers,
Directional Couplers, Filters
Section 3 - Active Control of Passive Circuits: Diode or Transistor Switches, MEMs Devices, Phase
Shifters

Assignments
 Class Assignments (15%). Only selected problems will be graded. Anticipate 7-9 homework
assignments. NO LATE homework is accepted. The lowest homework grade will be dropped.
 Exams (60%). Tentative Exam dates:
o Week 8 of 16 on MO: OCT 27
o Week 15 of 16 on MO: DEC 09
o Final Exam: Project Presentations on SA: DEC 14
 Project (25%): SA, Dec 14
o Teams (2 or 3) will write a write and present a literature review on hardware design (in the
100s of MHz to 100s of GHz frequency range) one of the following topics:
 AI
 Data Science
 Machine Learning
 IOT
 Nano- or cube-sats
 Biomedical applications.
o Topic selection
 Week 04: OCT 02
 Teams determined
 UNITE Students will be partnered with on-campus students, if needed.
 Week 06: OCT 16

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 University of Minnesota - ECE Department
EE 5601 Introduction to RF/Microwave Engineering
Fall Semester 2019

 Topic selected for Approval

 Provide the instructor with one paper that has motivated this interest.
 Approval Provided OCT: 23
 Logistics
 One report submitted per team
 Presentation hard and soft-copies due to TA 1 TH before your talk.
 Report Hard and Soft copy (in CANVAS) day of presentation.

 Grading Percentages:
Assignments 15%
Exam One 30%
Exam Two 30%
Project 25%
Total: 100%

Grading System. Your final grade will be based on course average (“B”) using the bell curve.
Grade Determination using Bell Curve: YOUR TOTAL GRADE = Z*Sigma+XAvg or
Compute Z=(X-XAvg)/Sigma to assess your grade throughout the course.

YOUR GRADE – STATISTICAL DETERMINATION

Alpha Value Standard Normal Variable (Z) Percentile Rank
A 1.2816 90
A- 0.9945 84
B+ 0.3319 63
B -0.1004 46
B- -0.3853 35
C+ -0.6128 27
C -0.8064 21
C- -0.9945 16
D+ -1.2816 10
D -1.8808 3
F -2.3263 1

Classroom Policies

1 Class conduct: No eating food in class, no newspapers or magazines to be read during class, no
sleeping, no web-surfing or texting. Violators will be asked to leave the class.
2 Homework format: No recycled paper with printing not related to the class on the backside.
3 Make-up Exams: Only provided at the discretion of the instructor due to extraordinary verifiable
circumstances when the student was prevented from attending the examination on time.
4 Exam and Assignment concerns: Submit within 2 weeks of receiving graded work. All outstanding
course issues must be documented and addressed within three weeks of the ending semester.
5 E-mail addresses: Communication is sent to x500 University of Minnesota address ONLY.
6 Email Format to instructor: Subject Line: [EE5601] or [EE5601-UNITE]

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 University of Minnesota - ECE Department
EE 5601 Introduction to RF/Microwave Engineering
Fall Semester 2019

University Policies

1 “I” Grade: According to University policy, an 'I' grade" will be assigned at the discretion of the
instructor when, due to extraordinary circumstances (as determined by the instructor), the student
who has successfully completed a substantial portion of the course's work with a passing grade was
prevented from completing the work of the course on time."
2 Scholastic Conduct Policy: Cheating in any form will not be tolerated in class. Anyone caught
cheating will automatically receive the F grade in the course and will be reported to the Department’s
Scholastic Standards Committee. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, looking at or copying from
other people’s exams, using unauthorized crib sheets, etc. For further information on expected
scholastic conduct, refer to Regents Student Conduct Code
(http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/Student_Conduct_Code.html)
3 Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials: Taking notes is a means of
recording information but more importantly of personally absorbing and integrating the educational
experience. However, broadly disseminating class notes beyond the classroom community or
accepting compensation for taking and distributing classroom notes undermines instructor interests in
their intellectual work product while not substantially furthering instructor and student interests in
effective learning. Such actions violate shared norms and standards of the academic community. For
additional information, please see: http://policy.umn.edu/education/studentresp.
4 Sexual Harassment: "Sexual harassment" means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such conduct has the purpose or
effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an
intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment in any University activity or program.
Such behavior is not acceptable in the University setting. Please consult Board of Regents
Policy: https://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Sexual_Harassment_Sexu
al_Assault_Stalking_Relationship_Violence.pdf for more information.
5 Equity, Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action: The University provides equal access
to and opportunity in its programs and facilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national
origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Please consult Board of Regents
Policy: http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Equity_Diversity_EO_AA.p
df for more information.
6 Disability Accommodations: The University of Minnesota views disability as an important
aspect of diversity, and is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for
all students. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is the campus office that collaborates with
students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations.
a. If you have, or think you have, a disability in any area such as, mental health, attention,
learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical, please contact the DRC office on your
campus (UM Twin Cities - 612.626.1333) to arrange a confidential discussion regarding
equitable access and reasonable accommodations.
b. Students with short-term disabilities, such as a broken arm, can often work with
instructors to minimize classroom barriers. In situations where additional assistance is
needed, students should contact the DRC as noted above.
c. If you are registered with the DRC and have a disability accommodation letter dated for
this semester or this year, please contact your instructor early in the semester to review
how the accommodations will be applied in the course.
d. If you are registered with the DRC and have questions or concerns about your
accommodations please contact your (access consultant/disability specialist)
e. Additional information is available on the DRC website: (UM Crookston
- https://www.crk.umn.edu/units/disability-resource-center, UM Duluth
- http://www.d.umn.edu/disability-resources, UM Morris -
http://www.morris.umn.edu/academicsuccess/disability/, UM Rochester -
http://r.umn.edu/student-life/student-services/disability-resources, UM Twin Cities
- https://diversity.umn.edu/disability/ ) or e-mail (UM Crookston

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 University of Minnesota - ECE Department
EE 5601 Introduction to RF/Microwave Engineering
Fall Semester 2019

- myers062@crk.umn.edu, UM Duluth - access@d.umn.edu, UM Morris

- hoekstra@morris.umn.edu, UM Rochester - sdzavada@r.umn.edu, UM Twin Cities
- drc@umn.edu) with questions
7 Mental Health and Stress Management: As a student you may experience a range of issues that can
cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems,
and feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or
stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance and may reduce your ability to
participate in daily activities. University of Minnesota services are available to assist you. You can learn
more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus via the
Student Mental Health Website: http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu.
8 Academic Freedom and Responsibility: for courses that do not involve students in research
Academic freedom is a cornerstone of the University. Within the scope and content of the course as
defined by the instructor, it includes the freedom to discuss relevant matters in the classroom. Along
with this freedom comes responsibility. Students are encouraged to develop the capacity for critical
judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth. Students are free to take
reasoned exception to the views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters
of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are
enrolled.*
a. Reports of concerns about academic freedom are taken seriously, and there are individuals
and offices available for help. Contact the instructor, the Department Chair, your adviser, the
associate dean of the college, or the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs in the Office
of the Provost. [Customize with names and contact information as appropriate for the
course/college/campus.] * Language adapted from the American Association of University
Professors "Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students".
9 Grading and Transcripts
a. University Grading Scales
b. The University has two distinct grading scales: A-F and S-N.

A-F grading scale. The A-F grading scale allows the following grades and corresponding GPA points:
Grade GPA Points Definition for Undergraduate Credit
A 4.000 Significant exceeds expectations of the course
A- 3.667
B+ 3.333
B 3.000 Above minimum expectations
B- 2.667
C+ 2.333
C 2.000 Meets minimum expectations
C- 1.667
D+ 1.333
D 1.000 Partially meets min; credit earned; may not meet requirement
F 0.000 Fail course; no credit

S-N grading scale. The S-N grading scale allows for the following grades and corresponding GPA
points:

Grade GPA Points Definition for Undergraduate Credit

S 0.00 Satisfactory (equivalent to C- or better)
N 0.00 Not Satisfactory

For additional information, please refer to: https://policy.umn.edu/education/gradingtranscripts.

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