Advanced Microwave Engineering (COMS7305)

Course overview

The course introduces EM field principles followed by the network theory to obtain efficient means for analyzing and designing of microwave circuits. It puts a special emphasis on planar guiding structures that enable either hybrid and/or monolithic integration of passive and active mircrowave devices. Next, it introduces the concept of noise and nonlinearities followed by equivalent circuit models of diodes and transitors that are used to generate, switch, phase shift, detect, mix or amplify microwave signals. By applying modern CAD software packages it demonstrates how passive and active microwave sub-systems can be designed, simulated and optimized.

In the first part, the course introduces microwave network theory to obtain efficient means for analysing and designing microwave devices. An emphasis is placed on planar guiding structures that enable either hybrid and/or monolithic integration of passive and active microwave devices. In the second part, the course covers using microwave diodes and transistorsﾠto generate, switch, phase shift, detect, mix, or amplify microwave signals.ﾠFinally, the course covers the design and operation of microwave systems.

Throughout the course, EM/microwave simulation tools are introduced and demonstrated in examples of designing, analysing, andﾠoptimization ofﾠmicrowave devices and systems.

The covered material should be of value to students who wish to specialize in the analysis and design ofﾠmodernﾠmicrowave and millimeter-waveﾠsystems, such as mobile communications, radars, satellite communications, and many more.ﾠ

In response to students' feedback, more details are included in the task sheets of the three projects to avoid any ambiguity on the requirements.

Course requirements

Assumed background

The course assumes that students have basic knowledge ofﾠelectromagnetic fields and microwaveﾠdevices. ﾠ

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

ELEC3100 or ELEC7101

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

COMS4104 OR COMS7104

Recommended companion or co-requisite courses

We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:

ENGGG7302

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

COMS7302 or COMS7303

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Aims and outcomes

• Understand the principles of analysis and design of microwave networks and circuits
• Know how to design microwave passive circuits, such as resonators and filters
• Understand the operation of active microwave devices
• Know how to designﾠmicrowave mixers, amplifiers and oscillators
• Understand the principles of designing microwave systemsﾠ

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Project- Task#1

Mode

Written

Category

Project

Weight

10%

Due date

5/09/2025 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submit your Project Reports through the Blackboard submission system before 4:00pm (Brisbane Time).

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Marked assignments with feedback and/or detailed solutions with feedback will be released to students within 7-14 days where the earlier time frame applies if no extensions.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Project- Task#2

Mode

Written

Category

Project

Weight

10%

Due date

10/10/2025 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submit your Project Reports through the Blackboard submission system before 4:00pm (Brisbane Time).

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Marked assignments with feedback and/or detailed solutions with feedback will be released to students within 7-14 days where the earlier time frame applies if no extensions.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

In-semester Exam

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

20%

Due date

15/09/2025

This exam will be scheduled in week 8 (starting on 15th Sep), and more information will be provided. 

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Project- Task#3

Mode

Written

Category

Project

Weight

10%

Due date

31/10/2025 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submit your Project Reports through the Blackboard submission system before 4:00pm (Brisbane Time).

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Marked assignments with feedback and/or detailed solutions with feedback will be released to students within 7-14 days where the earlier time frame applies if no extensions.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Final Exam

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

50%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

In order to achieve aﾠGrade of 4 (Pass) or greater in the course, students must achieve at least 50% in the final exam.

Marks will be rounded to the nearest integer (with half marks rounded up) prior to final grading being applied.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing the project's assessment tasks. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing the three Project tasks. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Having Troubles?

If you are having difficulties with any aspect of the course material, you should seek help and speak to the course teaching staff.

If external circumstances are affecting your ability to work on the course, you should seek help as soon as possible. The University and UQ Union have organisations and staff who are able to help; for example, UQ Student Services are able to help with study and exam skills, tertiary learning skills, writing skills, financial assistance, personal issues, and disability services (among other things).

Complaints and criticisms should be directed in the first instance to the course coordinator. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may bring the matter to the attention of the School of EECS Director of Teaching and Learning.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Simulation Toolsﾠavailable for use in the practical sessions:

• ADSTM - Advanced Design System by Agilent
• CST MICROWAVE STUDIO 3D EM Simulation Software by 3DS

Handouts

Lecture and project materials will be available to students enrolled in the course via the course website: https://learn.uq.edu.au/

Facilities

Practical sessions will be held in a lab that is equipped with the required software and tools. Thoseﾠsimulatorsﾠare also accessible through RDP.ﾠﾠ

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

• EECS School Guidelines for Students