After successful completion of the course, students are able to perform successful basic measurements in the fields of network analysis, spectrum analysation, and RF power measurement. When describing RF phenomena, they are able to switch from time domain interpretation to frequency domain, and vice versa.
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Students will remember the most important differences of RF measurement in contrast to measurements in the low frequency range. They will remember the relevant measures as there are voltage, current, power, impedance, characteristic wave impedance, oscillator stability, and spectral power density.
Based on the detection of RF voltage (amplitude and phase) and RF power (detector diodes, thermal/bolometric devices), students stepwise understand the path from analog signal processing starting with the cable connector at the device under test (DUT) and ending at the digital processing input stage in RF measurement instruments.
Students apply the above understanding by undertaking first own measurements with scope, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, RF signal generators, in single DUT - single measurement instrument experiments. The three topics are reflection coefficient, signal spectra, and noise.
In the next step students analyze measuring results achieved by instruments typically associated with time domain (scope) or frequency domain (spectrum analyzer) measurements. They will be able to switch between the two interpretations of one and the same measurement signal.
Complex real world measurement scenarios cover more than one device under test as well as more than one RF instrument. Considering the geometrical ratios of cable lengths and involved wavelengths, as well as the input impedances of involved instrumentation, students detect and evaluate potential hidden mistakes and faults.
Finally, students create their own assessment framework regarding validity, sensitivity, accuracy, and correctness of the measurements they have undertaken in the lab.
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see Bloom's taxonomy for classification of educational learning objectives (6 levels: remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, create), Benjamin S. Bloom, M. D. Engelhart, E. J. Furst, W. H. Hill, David R. Krathwohl: Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals. Handbook I: Cognitive domain. David McKay Company, New York 1956
Basic functional principles and basic measurements with spectrum analysers, network analysers, digital storage oscilloscopes, rf-oscillators, and frequency counters. Discussion of the worst mistakes in rf measurement setups. Three main items: spectrum measurements, measurements of the reflection coefficient, and noise reduction by bandwidth limitation. Discussion of the relevant phenomena in the time domain, and in the frequency domain, respectively.
Registration via mail to: walter.ehrlich-schupita(at)tuwien.ac.at
Blocked course in summer term, small groups, max. 9 participants in the course. Two hours introduction and three times lab session, approximately seven hours each. Room and time of the introduction lesson will be announced per hardcopy at the Institute 389 and 354, and in TISS per mail respectively. Students without TISS account, who have registered personally by mail will be informed by personal mail.
Es gibt zu jedem der drei Themen Programmblätter für die einzelnen Messungen, einige Datenblätter und Ergänzungsblätter.
Skriptum zur Vorlesung "Hochfrequenztechnische Systeme"
