Focus Areas
Focus areas refer to the major subjects that students choose when applying for admission to the programme. Students complete an advanced module from that major subject and it is not possible to change it during the studies. The master's thesis is written on a topic connected to the major.
Radio Frequency Electronics
As
its name suggests, this major is focused on electronics that is designed to
operate at the frequencies of radio waves. The major is dealing with, for
example, active and passive circuits, transmission line structures, and
antennas. These elements are found in almost all RF hardware that you can think
of. This technology is needed in a huge, actually endless, variety of
applications ranging from everyday consumer products to, say, space science. A
few examples are radio communications, radio frequency identification (RFID),
radar, imaging, RF remote control, industrial process sensors, and medical
applications. New applications are emerging all the time.
Although the application variety is huge, it shares a common theory basis. The
theory is based on fairly few and well-understood principles. Applications are
typically based on common building blocks. The comprehension of these key
elements enables one to actually excel in a lot of different jobs, in many
different fields! In this major, students learn the theoretical basics by
direct application of them to practical problem solving in hands-on type
project work. In this major students learn to design, build, and test RF
circuits and antennas by doing it all in practice. These circuits include, for
instance, low noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, voltage controlled
oscillators, active and passive mixers, and transmission line filters.
This major is most suitable for students who are not scared of soldering iron
nor fundamentals of electromagnetic waves!
Compulsory courses for all:
- Transmissions Lines and Waveguides
- Basics of RF Engineering
- Basic RF measurement
Compulsory courses for focus area RF Circuits:
- Active RF Circuits
- RF Project
Compulsory courses for focus area Antennas:
- Antenna Projects
- Antennas
Example of supplemental courses:
- Semiconductor Physics and Devices
- Radio Frequency Identification Technology
- Radio Propagation in Wireless Networks
- RF Equipment for Wireless Networks
Wireless Communications Circuits and Systems
This major focuses on radio communications circuits and systems, incorporating state-of-the-art technologies, such as WCDMA/HSPA, MIMO, LTE, WiFi and GPS. The major has a wide scope, encompassing three different basic technology areas needed in today's broadband wireless communication devices and systems:
- Radio Systems: Wireless system level view, wireless networking principles, radio resource management, radio network planning.
- Communication signal processing: Signal and system theoretic view to wireless communication links. Modulation and coding techniques, RF impairments and RF system design principles, signal processing in receivers and transmitters.
- RF Communication Circuits: Analog and mixed circuit design for wireless communications equipment; main emphasis on RF ASIC development.
The contents of the major subject are typically built up as a combination of areas 1 and 2 or areas 2 and 3, with possibilities for personalization depending on the specific interests of the students.
Graduates are typically employed by communication network operators, R&D houses, device and network vendors, consulting houses, and research institutes.
Example of courses:
- Digital Transmission
- Communication Systems Laboratory Course
- Multicarrier Techniques
- Receiver Architecture and Signal Processing
- Radio Propagation in Wireless Networks
- RF Equipment for Wireless Networks
- Radio Network Planning
- Communication Technologies in Battery Management
- Communication Circuits & Modules
- RF-ASIC Design
Smart Grids
In general, Smart Grids has two main aspects: enabler of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly energy market and critical infrastructure for society. Smart Grids is a tool to achieve, for example, the EU Commission's 20/20/20 target for climate change mitigation. The smart solutions will connect information technology and communication technology to the electricity infrastructure.
The major studies provide thorough knowledge of Smart Grids, addressing in-depth some of the underlying areas such as active network management, the integration of distributed energy resources and the enabling FACTS technology. Power electronics plays a key role in the integration of the so-called distributed energy resources into the smart grid - distributed renewable sources of generation such as solar and hydrogen cells, wind turbines, controllable loads and electric vehicles. Distribution automation and ICT solutions for active network management provide the foundation for the overall target of smart grids to enable energy-efficient and environmentally friendly energy markets aiming at a secure infrastructure for the benefit of society. The major subject teaches students the required knowledge and skills to develop applications for active network management.
Compulsory courses:
- Electric Power Systems
- Power Electronics Converters
- Electrical Energy Engineering Project Work
Example of supplemental courses:
- Solar Power Systems
- Switched-Mode Converters
- Converter Dynamics and EMC
- Distribution Automation
- Distributed Energy Resources in Electricity Networks
- Flexible Transmission Systems
Detailed course descriptions can be read from the study guide.