The course presents the design of electromagnetic components and circuits in modern and advanced applications, including wireless communications, circuits, microwave and optical components and devices, microwave communications and radar, power generation, transfer, and harvesting, with a special emphasis on the innovation brought by artificial electromagnetic materials and metamaterials.
teacher profile teaching materials
1. Electromagnetic fundamentals and guided propagation
The first part of the course recalls Maxwell’s equations and their role in the description of guided electromagnetic propagation. The connection between electromagnetic theory and the circuit modelling of high-frequency devices is introduced.
2. TEM transmission lines and distributed circuit model
The second unit deals with transmission-line theory, with specific reference to TEM lines, longitudinal-transverse field decomposition, the main practical types of transmission lines and the distributed circuit model.
3. Terminated lines, reflection and power transfer
The third part focuses on the analysis of terminated transmission lines, reflection coefficient, wave impedance, standing waves, impedance transformation along the line and power transfer from source to load.
4. Impedance matching and microwave networks
The fourth unit is devoted to the basic techniques of impedance matching and to the matrix representation of microwave networks, with particular attention to scattering parameters and their physical interpretation.
5. Multiport components and microwave devices
The fifth part introduces the analysis of three-port and four-port devices and covers the main microwave components: Wilkinson power dividers, hybrid couplers, filters, circulators and small-signal amplifiers.
6. Design exercises and simulation
The final part includes guided analysis and design exercises, also using circuit and electromagnetic simulation tools such as AWR Microwave Office and CST Microwave Studio, applied to matching networks, power dividers, couplers and microwave filters.
Programme
The course can be organised into six thematic units, following a progression from electromagnetic fundamentals to the design of the main microwave components.1. Electromagnetic fundamentals and guided propagation
The first part of the course recalls Maxwell’s equations and their role in the description of guided electromagnetic propagation. The connection between electromagnetic theory and the circuit modelling of high-frequency devices is introduced.
2. TEM transmission lines and distributed circuit model
The second unit deals with transmission-line theory, with specific reference to TEM lines, longitudinal-transverse field decomposition, the main practical types of transmission lines and the distributed circuit model.
3. Terminated lines, reflection and power transfer
The third part focuses on the analysis of terminated transmission lines, reflection coefficient, wave impedance, standing waves, impedance transformation along the line and power transfer from source to load.
4. Impedance matching and microwave networks
The fourth unit is devoted to the basic techniques of impedance matching and to the matrix representation of microwave networks, with particular attention to scattering parameters and their physical interpretation.
5. Multiport components and microwave devices
The fifth part introduces the analysis of three-port and four-port devices and covers the main microwave components: Wilkinson power dividers, hybrid couplers, filters, circulators and small-signal amplifiers.
6. Design exercises and simulation
The final part includes guided analysis and design exercises, also using circuit and electromagnetic simulation tools such as AWR Microwave Office and CST Microwave Studio, applied to matching networks, power dividers, couplers and microwave filters.
Core Documentation
Textbooks and teaching materials will be provided by the instructor or indicated during the course among resources available in open access. The material will include lecture notes, exercises, technical documentation and selected references for further study of the topics covered.Attendance
Attendance is not mandatory. However, students are encouraged to attend the lectures, as regular participation helps them follow the progressive development of the theoretical topics, the solution of numerical exercises and any applied examples discussed during the course.Type of evaluation
Assessment is based on a written examination, aimed at evaluating both the understanding of the fundamental theoretical concepts and the ability to apply them to simple analysis and design problems in microwave circuits. The written examination includes one theoretical question and one numerical exercise. An oral examination may also be held at the instructor’s discretion, in order to further assess the student’s preparation.