Simulation and Design Tools I
Code: 102693 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Telecommunication Systems Engineering | OT | 4 |
Contact
- Name:
- Sergio Lopez Soriano
- Email:
- sergio.lopez.soriano@uab.cat
Teachers
- Sergio Lopez Soriano
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
It is desirable that students who want to take this course have broad knowledge in the field of microwaves and antennas, as well as a general vision of communications system.
Objectives and Contextualisation
This course has been created with a user perspective, oriented towards the acquisition of competences in the use of the CAD software tools that industry generally uses in the field of RF-FEM components manufacturing and Antennas, along with presence in the markets of communications infrastructures, sector of mobile communications, broadcasting, space sector or automotive between many others.
The use of the subject by the student will mean that this acquires new methodologies and skills for the efficient exploitation of software tools available in a wide variety of situations for the development of the profession.
Competences
- Develop personal work habits.
- Develop thinking habits.
- Learn new methods and technologies, building on basic technological knowledge, to be able to adapt to new situations.
- Select and devise communication circuits, subsystems and systems that are guided or non-guided by electromagnetic, radiofrequency or optical means to fulfil certain specifications.
- Work in a team.
Learning Outcomes
- Contrast numerical and analytical results.
- Describe the main methodologies of modelling and simulation, and choose the most suitable for the simulation of a certain subsystem.
- Develop independent learning strategies.
- Develop the capacity for analysis and synthesis.
- Measure the parameters of a communication system on the basis of simulation results.
- Use software tools for electromagnetic and radiofrequency analysis.
- Work cooperatively.
Content
1. Introduction to Numerical Methods
1.1. Introduction to the Finite element method (FEM)
1.2. CAD tools based on circuit theory
1.3. CAD tools based on field theory
2. Electromagnetic analysis software
2.1. ADS-Momentum: method of moments
2.2. HFSS: finite element method
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Practical seminars. | 50 | 2 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 6 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Tutorials | 7.5 | 0.3 | 1, 4 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Preparation of laboratory work. | 92.5 | 3.7 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 6 |
The course has a strong practical component and will be taught in laboratories under a strict project-based learning system. The course will be focused on analysis and diagnosis. The operation of real devices and the derivation of input-output functions will be studied, but it is not intended to provide guidance on device design.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labwork FEM + Maxwell + HFSS | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 6 |
| Labwork HFSS + ADS | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 6 |
The course is divided into 3 different parts, it is mandatory to pass ALL the parts separately (grade >= 5). Otherwise, the final grade will be 4 at most. As it is a practical subject in its entirety, the work will be continuously evaluated through the reports of the different mini projects that will be carried out in the laboratory using commercial simulators. Reports are individual but collaborative in terms of laboratory work. The delivery date will be published with the documentation of each mini project. Any delivery after the deadline will have a 20% penalty in the mini project grade. Therefore, for the same grade, a late delivery must be better than another delivered on time. If the report is not of high enough standard, the student will be advised to resubmit it again and it will be considered as delivered after the deadline. Attendance and active participation in class will be scored with 20% of the total grade of the subject.
Bibliography
It will be provided by the teacher once the course has begun accordingly to the different mini projects
Software
ADS, ANSYS, Matlab.
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 331 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 331 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 330 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |