MWEPRA4/101/0/2020

Tutorial Letter 101/0/2020

Microwave Engineering IV (Practical)

MWEPRA4

Year module

Department of Electrical and Mining

Engineering

This tutorial letter contains important information

about your module.

BARCODE
 CONTENTS
Page

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................3
2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES ...................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Purpose........................................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Outcomes........................................................................................................................................ 3
3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................................... 3
3.1 Lecturer(s)....................................................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Department ..................................................................................................................................... 3
3.3 University ........................................................................................................................................ 4
4 RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................. 4
4.1 Prescribed books ............................................................................................................................ 4
4.2 Recommended books ..................................................................................................................... 4
4.3 Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves)................................................................................................... 4
4.4 Library services and resources information .................................................................................... 4
5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................. 5
6 STUDY PLAN ................................................................................................................................. 5
7 MODULE PRACTICAL WORK AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING ..................................... 5
8 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................... 5
8.1 Assessment Criteria ........................................................................................................................ 5
8.2 Assessment plan............................................................................................................................. 5
8.3 Assignment numbers ...................................................................................................................... 6
8.3.1 General assignment numbers ......................................................................................................... 6
8.3.2 Unique assignment numbers .......................................................................................................... 6
8.4 Assignments due dates................................................................................................................... 6
8.5 Submission of assignments ............................................................................................................ 6
8.6 The assignments............................................................................................................................. 7
8.7 Other assessment methods .......................................................................................................... 14
8.8 The examination ........................................................................................................................... 14
9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .......................................................................................... 14
10 SOURCES CONSULTED ............................................................................................................. 14
11 IN CLOSING ................................................................................................................................. 14
12 ADDENDUM ................................................................................................................................. 14

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Dear Student

As part of this tutorial letter, we wish to inform you that Unisa has implemented a transformation
charter based on five pillars and eight dimensions. In response to this charter, we have also
placed curriculum transformation high on the agenda. For your information, curriculum
transformation includes the following pillars: student-centred scholarship, the pedagogical
renewal of teaching and assessment practices, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and the
infusion of African epistemologies and philosophies. These pillars and their principles will be
integrated at both the programme and module levels, as a phased-in approach. You will notice
the implementation thereof in your modules, and we encourage you to fully embrace these
changes during your studies at Unisa.

1 INTRODUCTION TO THE MODULE

Dear Student

Welcome to the subject Microwave Engineering IV (Practical) (MWEPRA4) at UNISA. This

tutorial letter serves as a guideline to this subject. It provides you with general administrative
information as well as specific information about the subject. Read it carefully and keep it
safe for future reference. We trust that you will enjoy this course.

2 PURPOSE AND OUTCOMES

2.1 Purpose
The purpose of this practical module for Microwave Engineering IV is to help students
apply their newly acquired theoretical knowledge in a practical environment in order to
solve complex problems using analytical thinking, technical skills and managerial
competence. A practical design has been proposed to assess the student’s ability to
perform practical work within the field of Microwave Engineering.
2.2 Outcomes
Students must be able to do the following at the end of this practical module:
 Design a low-noise amplifier (LNA) for the ISM band

 Construct the LNA on a printed circuit board (PCB)

 Use a software package to simulate the operation of the LNA

 Compare the results of the simulation package to the results of the PCB circuit

 Generate a written report of the design procedure and measurements of the actual circuit
3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS
3.1 Lecturer(s)
The lecturer for this subject is Mr. S. G. Minko You can contact Mr. Minko for any
theoretical questions at the following number:
3.2 Department
Department of Electrical and Mining Engineering: electrical&mining@unisa.ac.za
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3.3 University

If you need to contact the University about matters not related to the content of this module,
please consult the publication My studies @ Unisa that you received with your study
material. This brochure contains information on how to contact the University (e.g. to whom
you can write for different queries, important telephone and fax numbers, addresses and
details of the times certain facilities are open).Always have your student number at hand
when you contact the University.

4 RESOURCES
4.1 Prescribed book(s)
The same prescribed book used in theoretical part of the module.
4.2 Recommended book(s)
There are no recommended books for this module.
4.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)
There are no electronic reserves for this module.
E-reserves can be downloaded from the library catalogue. More information is available at:
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request

4.4 Library services and resources information

For brief information, go to
www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies

For detailed information, go to the Unisa website at http://www.unisa.ac.za/ and

click on Library.
For research support and services of personal librarians, go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=710
2.

The library has compiled a number of library guides:

finding recommended reading in the print collection and e-reserves –

http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/undergrad
requesting material – http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/request
postgraduate information services – http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/request/postgrad
finding, obtaining and using library resources and tools to assist in doing research –
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_Skills
how to contact the Library/finding us on social media/frequently asked questions –
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/ask

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5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Important information appears in your my Studies @ Unisa brochure.

6 STUDY PLAN
Use your my Studies @ Unisa brochure for general time management and planning skills.

7 PRACTICAL WORK
This module covers the practical part.

8 ASSESSMENT
8.1 Assessment criteria
Your final mark will be calculated by using a ratio of 10% year mark and 90% Portfolio mark.
8.2 Assessment plan
The assignments are as follows:

 Assignment 1:Registration Form for MICROWAVE ENGINEERING IV (Annexure A)

 Assignment 2: Send in your portfolio.

Submission of both assignments is compulsory.

The final mark is based on all the assignment marks obtained and their
contribution towards the final mark are as shown in the table below:

ASSIGNMENT NUMBER CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS FINAL SUBJELE

MARK
1 (Compulsory) 10 %
2 (Compulsory) 90%
TOTALS = 100 %

Submission of Assignment 1 “allows” you complete a practical assignment, which is the

examination for this subject.

Ensure that you understand this principle. Failure to submit assignment 1 by the due date, will
result in you being barred from handing in a practical assignment and you will have to
reregister for this subject. If in doubt, contact your lecturer before the submission date!!!!

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8.3 Assignment numbers
8.3.1 General assignment numbers
Assignments are numbered consecutively per module, starting from 01.
8.3.2 Unique assignment numbers

Assignment 1: 713067
(Compulsory)
Portfolio: 807820
(Compulsory)
8.4 Assignment due dates

THE CUT-OFF SUBMISSION DATES FOR THE ASSIGNMENTS ARE :

Assignment 1 (Annexure A- 29 March 2020

Registration form) (Compulsory)

Assignment 2 – Results of experiments 28 September 2020

Portfolio(Compulsory)

8.5 Submission of assignments

A practical assignment must be submitted. The practical experiments, which much be
completed if you do not attend a workshop, is included in this tutorial letter. A
mentor must be chosen and the mentor form must accompany the assignment when it
is sent in. (See ANNEXURE B)
Please make sure to write your student number in the space provided on the
form.

For detailed information and requirements as far as assignments are concerned, see
the brochure my Studies @ Unisa that you received with your study material.

Your e-mail address should also be provided in clear and neat handwriting, as
communication might be sent to from time to time. To submit an assignment
via myUnisa:
  Go to myUnisa.
 Log in with your student number and password.
 Select the module.
 Click on assignments in the menu on the left-hand side of the screen.
 Click on the assignment number you wish to submit.
 Follow the instructions.








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8.6 The assignments
ANNEXURE A – ASSISGMENT 1

REGISTRATION FORM FOR MICROWAVE ENGINEERING IV

(PRACTICAL) - COMPLETION OF PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT
2020

PLEASE COMPLETE IN CLEAR BLOCK LETTERS & SEND IN AS A

NORMAL ASSIGNMENT

FROM
Surname/Initials

STUDENT NUMBER
Surname/Initials
POSTAL ADDRESS :

POSTAL CODE

TEL NO (WORK) :
Surname/Initials :
TEL NO (HOME)
Surname/Initials
MOBILE :
Surname/Initials
e-mail : :
Surname/Initials :

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UNISA, Programme Group Engineering,

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SUBMIT THIS FORM WITH THE RESULTS OF YOUR PRACTICAL
EXPERIMENTS

Microwave Engineering IV - PRACTICAL

Mentor Appointment
Student number: ................................................
Student name: ....................................................
Employer: ..........................................................

Particulars of mentor:

Name: ...........................................
Address: ...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
Employer: .........................................................
Telephone number:.............................................. (W)
............................................... (H)

Qualifications:.....................................................................................

Capacity at work:................................................................................

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PRACTICAL
You can download Ansoft Designer SV (student version) or Microwave AWR office
 http://www.ansoft.com/downloads.cfm or from
http://elektronikschule.de/~krausg/Ansoft%20Designer%20SV/Engli
sh%20 Tutorial%20Version/index_english.html.

 https://awrcorp.com/register/customer.aspx?univ
For AWR Office use your myUnisa life account email and fill the form on the webpage. For
the university professor use Leslie Nickola as indicated on the form below.

This practical can only be attempted after the course material covered in
chapters 1 through 6 is fully understood.

1. INTRODUCTION
The primary objective of this practical is to ensure that you have understood the
material studied in the theoretical component of the course and to enable you an
opportunity to use that knowledge to completely design, simulate, construct and test
an actual low-noise, small-signal, high-frequency amplifier.

2. DESIGN SPECIFICATION

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The data sheet for the BFP196 BJT is provided. Design, simulate, construct and test a
low-noise amplifier (LNA) for the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM)
band that will conform to the following specifications.

 Design frequency: 900 MHz

 Active device bias point: VCE = 8 V, IC = 50 mA
 Maximum noise figure: 1,3 dB at 900 MHz
 Minimum gain: 12 dB at 900 MHz
 System characteristic impedance: 50 

 Supply voltage: 12 V

The active device should be made unconditionally stable, using the technique of
collector shunt stabilization, before implementing the impedance matching networks.
The circuit topology should be consistent with a minimum component count and the
impedance matching networks implemented with lumped elements.

Below is an example of an RF PCB. All designs should look somehow like this.

Input Port
Output Port

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3. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

3.1 The design procedure must be completely and clearly documented. A

hardcopy of all relevant design data is to be submitted. This should include
stability factor data, gain and reflection coefficient data etc. Smith charts
showing stability circles, gain circles and noise-figure circles are to be
provided. These can be obtained using the circles utility option available
with the Ansoft Designer Student Version (SV) Version 2.2.0. Please refer
to the help files for guidance in using this package.
Alternatively, download the Tutorial for Beginners from
http://elektronikschule.de/~krausg/Ansoft%20Designer%20SV/English%20
Tutorial%20Version/index_english.html. A neat schematic of the basic RF
topology is to be provided, showing stabilization and impedance matching
components.

3.2 A hardcopy of the actual PCB is to be submitted showing all resistor bias
network calculations, as well as any RF choke and coupling/decoupling
capacitor calculations. Please label all connections.

3.3 A neat sketch showing the complete schematic is to be submitted. This

should include all bias circuitry as well as any RF choke and coupling/de-
coupling circuitry. All component values are to be given, and they must be
practical values.

3.4 A hardcopy plot is to be submitted, showing the final simulated results of

the magnitudes (in dB) of S11, S22, S21 and noise figure. These results are
to be plotted over the frequency range from 300 MHz to 700 MHz.

3.5 A hardcopy listing of the final circuit simulation file used to produce the
plots in 3.4 is to be submitted. The simulation file should include any RF
choke circuitry and capacitor coupling/de-coupling circuitry, but it is not
necessary to include the dc biasing circuitry.

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 Marks will be awarded for innovative design resulting in the best result being
achieved with a minimum component count.

 Marks will be deducted for sloppy and/or untidy work.

 The PCB should comply with radio frequency design rules (double sided with a solid
ground plane on one side and vias if possible). Varyboard artworks will receive zero mark.
Surface
mounted component should be used NOT LEADED COMPONENTS.

 Marks will be deducted if the PCB is not RF compliance.

The following RUBRIC will be used for mark allocation.

Requirement Mark
Design parameters and equations for the LNA as found in published literature 5
Calculation results of using the design equations 5
A complete and fully labelled circuit diagram 10
A copy of the simulation circuit as used in the software package 20
Simulated results of the magnitudes (in dB) of S11, S22, S21 and noise figure for the
10
300-700 MHz range
Smith charts showing stability circles, gain circles and noise-figure circles 10
The working circuit, as constructed on a PCB, with all power points, inputs and
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outputs clearly indicated

Neat and professionally presented report 25

TOTAL 100

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ANNEXURE B

1. POLICY FOR PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENTS

a. All experiments have to be performed.

b. In order to receive a pass mark, the student need to receive a sub-minimum of 50%. c. All students must

have their own practical guide and components.

d. Every student must do his own practical, however students are allowed to receive help in a
constructive manner.

e. Practical experiments must be built by the student himself and the relevant answers supplied on
the respective answer sheet for that experiment.

f. Use standard symbols and notation, as used in the theoretical notes and practical guide, on the
answer sheet.

g. Where applicable, the construction of your practical assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:
i) neatness;
ii) correct layout of components;
iii) correct wiring techniques;
iv) correct operation of circuit;
v) student's knowledge of the circuit;
and vi) Insight into the practical work.

h. All the experiments need to be certified by the student's mentor (see the form attached), as the
student's own work. Refer to paragraph 3 for the very important information regarding the appointment of
your mentor.

i. Students need to take every safety precaution (especially where the experiment involves 220-V and
380-V alternating current). UNISA cannot be held responsible for any damage to equipment or
harm to any person. In cases where the student is in doubt about any safety aspect, contact Unisa for
assistance.

2. INTERACTION WITH THEORETICAL WORK

You are advised to conduct the experiments only after the relevant theory has been
covered.

3. APPOINTMENT OF MENTOR

Your mentor plays a very important role in the successful completion of your assignment. The functions
of your mentor are the following:

(a) help you in a constructive manner

and
(b) Verify that it is your own work.

Your mentor should thus be appointed in order to fulfil the above mentioned
task.

Your mentor must preferably be professionally registered with ECSA (Engineering Counsel
of South Africa) for us to accredit his authorisation of your work. If the person acting as your mentor is
not registered with ECSA, then someone who is professionally registered with ECSA, should also
authorise your assignment. The mentor must supply his particulars as requested on the authorisation
form attached to each experiment, for us to accept his authorisation.

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8.7 Other assessment methods

None

8.8 The examination

Use your my Studies @ Unisa brochure for general examination guidelines and
examination preparation guidelines.

9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The my Studies @ Unisa brochure contains an A-Z guide of the most relevant
study information.

10 SOURCES CONSULTED
None

11 IN CLOSING
Please ensure that you have all the tutorial letters and prescribed book available before
starting with your studies.

12 ADDENDUM
None

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