The purpose of the RF & Microwave Circuit Design laboratory is to provide hands on experience and advance training in RF and Microwave Communication Circuit Design for our undergraduate and graduate students. Students will be designing RF and Microwave circuits up to the 1 GHz region. The circuits that the students design could be used in such devices as pagers, cell phone, etc.. Telecommunications represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the global communications market. Hundreds of billions of dollars are being spent to expand and upgrade existing communication systems throughout the world. The growth of this industry demands a highly skilled and educated work force. However, there is currently a severe shortage of technologist trained to design RF and Microwave circuits and devices, which are the heart of many communication systems. Technologist with skills and expertise in RF and Microwave Circuit Design for communication applications are in high demand. In contrast to this demand, many technological programs across the nation do not offer a quality hands on education in this important field in part due to outdated academic programs or inadequate facilities.

Implementation:
The RF & Microwave Circuit Design laboratory will have individual test and measurement workstations. Each workstation will contain a spectrum analyzer, a network analyzer, a digital oscilloscope, an analog RF signal source, a power supply and various microwave accessories. The instruments at each workstation will be networked together to a Pentium II PC via a HPIB bus system, each of these PCs will be running software which facilitate the capture of measured data and its placement into research reports. Also, there will be stand alone Pentium II PCs running Libra RF circuit design simulation software as well as other software packages.

Classes Supported by the RF & Microwave Circuit Design Laboratory:
ECT 350 Communication Systems
ECT 450 Electronic Signal Transmission Systems
ECT 650 Wireless Communication Systems
ECT 655 Optical Communication Systems
ECT 660 Satellite and Personal Communication Systems
ECT 670 Communication Circuit Development Laboratory

Equipment:
RF Communication Test Sets up to 1 GHz
Digital RF Signal Generator, 250 kHz to 3 GHz
Spectrum Analyzer, 9 kHz to 22 GHz
Vector Network Analyzer, 300 KHz to 13 GHz (Magnitude and Phase)
Libra Design Suite for linear and nonlinear microwave circuits
Various RF and Microwave Accessories
350 and 450 MHz Pentium II Workstations

Purpose:
This room is equipped to enable global communication through the ubiquitous fraternity of amateur radio enthusiast throughout the world. Activities include satellite communications, microwave, slow and fast scan television and more. This laboratory would put into practice many of the concepts from related communication system classes offered in the Electronics and Computer Technology Department.

Organizations supported by the Laboratory:
Ham Radio Club

Classes Supported by the Packet Radio Room:
ECT 350 Communications Systems
ECT 450 Electronic Signal Transmission Systems
ECT 650 Wireless Communication Systems
ECT 660 Satellite and Personal Communication Systems

Needed Equipment:
Yaesu G-5400B Azimuth/Elevation controller with computer interface
KLM 2M-22C Antenna (2m wavelength)
KLM 435-40cx Antenna (435 MHz)
Henry Landwehr 2 meter wavelength pre-amp
Henry Landwehr 435 435 MHz pre-amplifier
Yaesu FT-736R with optional FTS-8 CTCSS squelch unit
Astron RS-35A Power Supply
Kansas City Rotor Controller hardware and software
PCPackrat Communications software
Mirage B-1016G
AEA DSP-2232

Hewlett-Packard Grants Web Page.