The following presents some of my featured technical projects…
that I can share & are not covered in NDAs 😉 — enjoy!
Computational Electromagnetics Comparative Study of a
1 GHz, Stepped-Impedance Filter
A Tutorial on the Application of the Finite Element Method (FEM) Versus the Method of Moments (MoM)
This tutorial is a comparative study of two of the most common computational electromagnetics (CEM) solvers, FEM and MoM applied to a practical filter application. Both solvers are used to evaluate a 1 GHz, stepped-impedance, low-pass filter design. The filter design is described along with its ideal schematic results. A layout is generated and both electromagnetic solvers are applied. EM results of the two solvers are compared with the ideal schematic simulation and measurements. The CEM simulators reveal aspects missed by traditional schematic-based simulators. Insight into the differences between the two are discussed as well.
https://www.microwavejournal.com/articles/38536-computational-electromagnetics-comparative-study-of-a-1-ghz-stepped-impedance-filter
2.45 GHz Wi-Fi Band Microstrip Patch Antenna Array
The most common Wi-Fi antenna is a half-wave dipole [1]. Though these antennas can be simply constructed and mass-manufactured, they can suffer from low antenna gains [1]. The objective of this project is to design a high-gain alternative to the half-wave dipole for Wi-Fi applications. Increasing antenna gain can provide stronger connection and further coverage (at the expense of a more focused beam; increased directivity).
A 2×2 linearly polarized microstrip patch antenna array for the 2.4-2.5 GHz ISM Wi-Fi band is designed. Table 1.1 below highlights the performance specifications for this design…
(Please reference the link below)
Survey and Design of Microwave Low-Noise Amplifiers
This project is a contest entry in the Wide In-band Receiver area of the 2020 International Microwave Symposium, 5G Low Noise Amplifier Competition [1]. The project includes RF transistor selection, single, two-stage, and cascode models, and RF parameter optimization to maximize the IMS Competition figure of merit along with a supplemental figure of merit [2]. 5G technologies (used in cellphones, IoT, etc.), first introduced in 2018, are on the rise in current society. Fifth generation hardware requires extended capabilities in comparison to 4G (5-20MHz bandwidth EU: 0.6-2.6GHz), including the newly allocated sub 6GHz frequency bands (EU: 3.4-3.8GHz) and wider bandwidth (5-100MHz) [3]. Ergo, 5G requires improved RF hardware to accommodate the wider bandwidth requirement.
The RF amplifier is a fundamental RF and wireless hardware component. RF system Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA’s) receive and amplify weak signals (GSM standard: minimum -102dBm [4]) to a detectable power level with minimized noise contribution. The transistor defines the design limitations for gain, noise figure, and linearity, so its selection is integral in the design process. The Infineon HBT (heterojunction bipolar transistor) BFP740 was selected for its high transition frequency (44GHz) and low noise figure specification (0.65dB at 3.5GHz) [5]. The design process optimizes return loss, dynamic range, power gain, noise figure, and stability. This senior project develops three LNA topologies for European 5G systems (3.4 – 3.8GHZ): Single-Stage, Two-Stage Cascade, and Cascode. Simulation models developed in Keysight’s PathWave Advanced Design System (ADS) evaluate and compare the designs.
(Please reference the link below)
https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/eesp/538/
Theory, Design, and Analysis of a 79 GHz Multiport Amplifier and Antenna System
The objective of this project is to design a multi-port amplifier and antenna system for a
millimeter wave 5G band with dynamic control over power distribution and beam-steering. The application of this design was chosen to be for Automotive Radar applications operating within the new state-of-the-art 77 GHz radar band. This 77 to 81 GHz band is within the IEEE defined W-band and serves as the new short-range radar band replacing the legacy 24 GHz band [5]. This new band boasts larger available bandwidths and better resolutions, smaller physical size, and higher power levels [6], all advantages behind the shift up to the 77 GHz band from the 24 GHz band. This design will specifically focus on a center frequency of 79 GHz.
(Please reference the document below)
X-Band Low-Noise Down-Converter Design and Analysis
The objective of this project is to design an X-band, low-noise, high-gain RF receiver front-end for use in satellite communications systems.
(Please reference the slide-deck below)
S-Band Radar System
The objective of this project is to design and build an operational Radar system from RF components within the scope of 8 weeks.
The Radar shall…
- Measure the range or distance of a static object with ±1m accuracy up to 10
meters. - Measure the radial speed of moving objects with ±1m/s accuracy. Maximum
range shall be at least 10 meters.
This project was completed in a 10-week Graduate Level Microwaves Engineering Lab.
(Please reference the slide-deck below)
Broadband Stripline Directional Coupler
The objective of this assignment was to design a broadband stripline directional coupler with the specifications listed in the document below. ADS is to be used as a simulation tool and the paper “The Design of a Broadband Stripline Directional Coupler” by Yi Ge and Gaofeng Guo [1] (reference document below) is used as a
key reference.
(Please reference the document below)
Portable Range Finder Module
This design develops a Portable Range Finder Module with targeted specifications parallel to the commercial PING Ultrasonic Distance Sensor. The intention of this project was to attain good practices for product development. Testing of the individual IC’s as well as reiterative testing of the system as more pieces are added is vital for debugging and gaining an understanding of the signals as they propagate through the system.
(Please reference the document below)
The Power of Thinking 