Dr. Barton’s RF Power and Analog Laboratory investigates engineering challenges related to RF and microwave active circuit design, specifically in RF front-ends for communications, imaging, and telemetry applications in both commercial and defense spaces. The growing importance of these areas is tied to rising costs of energy and an interest in global energy consumption reduction, underscoring the need for development of energy-efficient systems. A major driving application is next-generation 5G radio, which has motivated increased interest in MIMO systems that also translates to defense applications such as phased array systems. Dr. Barton's research has concentrated on three primary areas: (1) energy-efficient power amplifier (PA) design, (2) analog techniques for signal generation and linearization, and (3) integrated PA sensing and adaptation techniques. The combination of these technologies can result in efficient 'smart' transmitters able to adapt to environmental changes.
keywords
Power Amplifiers, Radio Frequency (RF), Microwave Circuits, Transmitters, Reconfigurable Systems, Analog circuits
ECEN 2420 - Electronics for Wireless Systems
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2024
Explores fundamental principles behind the operation of a radio, including a practical introduction to circuit elements. Covers the components and operation of a radio (transmitter and receiver) with simple signals. Students learn lab exercises the operation principles behind components of a complete practical radio system.
ECEN 3250 - Microelectronics
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018
Develops a basic understanding of active semiconductor devices. Focuses on building an understanding of BJT and CMOS devices in both digital and analog applications.
ECEN 3400 - Electromagnetic Fields and Waves
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2019 / Fall 2021
Electromagnetic fields are covered at an introductory level, starting with electrostatics and continuing with DC current, magnetostatics, time-varying magnetic fields, waves on transmission lines, Maxwell's equations and the basics of plane waves. The use of fields in inductors, capacitors, resistors, transformers, and energy and power concepts are studied.
ECEN 4634 - Microwave and RF Laboratory
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2018 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
This course is a hands-on introduction to RF and microwave topics, from fundamentals including vector network analyzer (VNA) calibration and operation, power measurements, and antenna characterization, to system-level topics such as RADAR systems and superheterodyne links. Students work in small groups on weekly experiments based on both coaxial and waveguide setups. An understanding of electromagnetic waves (such as covered in ECEN 3400 and ECEN 3410) is assumed. The graduate version of the course (ECEN 5634) includes additional homework and exam problems and extended laboratory exercises compared to ECEN 4634. Same as ECEN 5634.
ECEN 5014 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2022
Examines a special topic in Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.
ECEN 5024 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Same as ECEN 4024.
ECEN 5634 - Microwave and RF Laboratory
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2018 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
This course is a hands-on introduction to RF and microwave topics, from fundamentals including vector network analyzer (VNA) calibration and operation, power measurements, and antenna characterization, to system-level topics such as RADAR systems and superheterodyne links. Students work in small groups on weekly experiments based on both coaxial and waveguide setups. An understanding of electromagnetic waves (such as covered in ECEN 3400 and ECEN 3410) is assumed. Same as ECEN 4634.
