828H1

THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND DESIGN

MSc Examinations 2008

RF ELECTRONIC DESIGN

Tuesday 20th May 2008 9.30am – 11.30am

Candidates should answer THREE questions out of FOUR

Time allowed: 2 hours

Where a question indicates the division of marks between different

parts, this information is for guidance only; the examiners reserve
the right to make small adjustments to the division.

Candidates may use their own calculators during this examination.

Examination Aid supplied: ZY chart (2 copies).

Include the chart in your answer booklet.
Spare copies of the chart are available from the invigilator.

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828H1 RF Electronic Design
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1. (a) What is an S-parameter? Define the four S-parameters S11, S21, S22 and
S12 and comment on their meanings under matched conditions. What
device parameters would be required in order to determine the four S-
parameters from a device data sheet.
[4 marks]

(b) Explain with the aid of a diagram how a Vector Network Analyser may be
used to measure the S-parameters of an RF device.
[4 marks]

(c) Explain with the aid of a diagram the function and operation of a Bi-
directional Coupler.
[4 marks]

(d) The S-parameters of an RF transistor are given as follows:

S11 = 0.9 ∠ -17º S22 = 0.7 ∠ -10º

S21 = 3.5 ∠ 81º S12 = 0.01 ∠ 162º

Check the stability of the device by calculating the Δ factor and the Rollett
stability factor.
[4 marks]

(e) Given that the S-parameters are known, describe a graphical method that
would show ranges of stability for the device. Write any expressions that
would be required.
[4 marks]

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828H1 RF Electronic Design
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2. (a) Define Noise in the context of electronic design. What are the two main
sources of noise in electronic systems? Define the terms Noise Factor (F)
and Noise Figure (NF).
[4 marks]

(b) Write a general expression for calculating the Noise Factor for a group of
cascaded amplifiers where the Noise Factor for each amplifier stage is
known.
[2 marks]

(c) The individual characteristics of three amplifiers arranged in a cascade

are given in the table below. Calculate the overall Noise Factor and Noise
Figure of the cascade.

Amplifier 1 2 3
Gain (dB) 20 6 3
Noise Figure (dB) 6 8 12

[4 marks]

(d) Calculate the Noise Figure for the receiver shown in Figure 1 below. Hint:
first group the last 3 stages together with a single combined noise figure.

Figure 1
[6 marks]

(e) In practice the Noise Figure would be degraded by Thermal Noise in the
system. (i) What is Thermal Noise? (ii) Write an expression for calculating
the Thermal Noise Power in dBm and (iii) suggest two ways in which the
effect of Thermal Noise can be reduced in a system.
[4 marks]

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828H1 RF Electronic Design
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3. (a) Explain the terms (i) Reflectionless Matching and (ii) Conjugate Matching
when applied to transmission lines of characteristic impedance Z0.

[4 marks]

(b) (i) What is a Standing Wave and under what conditions do standing
waves occur?
(ii) Define Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR).
[4 marks]

(c) Draw a diagram of an experimental coaxial slotted-line system used for

the demonstration of standing waves. Discuss how this can be used to
measure the VSWR.
[6 marks]

(d) An experimental coaxial slotted-line system of characteristic impedance

Z0 is used to measure an unknown load impedance ZL. A signal of
wavelength λ is applied and a standing wave occurs. Measurements
show that the distance between voltage minima on the line = 3.8 cm and
the distance from the load to the first minimum (dm) = 1.4 cm. Given that
VSWR = 2.5, Z0 = 50 Ω and the phase of the reflection coefficient at the
load is given by
θ(0) = π ⎛⎜1 + 4d m ⎞⎟
⎝ λ ⎠
calculate.

(i) The magnitude and phase of the reflection coefficient at the load.
(ii) The complex load impedance.
[6 marks]

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4. (a) Determine the normalised complex value of the input impedance ZIN of
the network shown in Figure 2 below. Use a ZY chart and explain how
the result was obtained. Mark the positions of RL, ZL and ZIN on the chart.

Figure 2.
[6 marks]

(b) Design a two component LC network to match the value of ZIN,

determined in part (a) above, to the load ZL shown in Figure 2. Use a new
ZY chart and explain the working. This new, two component LC matching
network, must function as a low pass filter. Calculate the component
values for a frequency of operation of 2.4GHz.
[6 marks]

(c) Write an expression which describes an input impedance ZIN as a

function of transmission line length (d). Define the parameters used in the
expression.
[2 marks]

(d) A complex load impedance ZL = (75 – j50) ohm is attached to a lossless

transmission line with a characteristic impedance Z0 = 100 ohm. If the
wavelength of the signal is 3 cm and the length of the line is 50 cm,
calculate the input impedance ZIN.
[6 marks]

End of paper