Any tips for a new RF engineer? 1

[rwingace]

I just got a job offer as an RF design engineer related to RADAR test simulator equipment.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips of what I should study before I start the job?

I am graduating this spring and starting soon after and I just want to be prepared for my first engineering job.

I've look up several book that have gotten good reviews:
Fundamentals of Radar Signal Processing by Mark Richards
RF Circuit Design by Chris Bowick
RF Design Guide: Systems... Equations by Peter Vizmuller
Electromagnetics Explained: A Handbook by Ron Schmitt

I've also been reading up on ADS and HFSS simulators.

So, is there any advice for me and/or book selections?

Thank you!

 

[MacGyverS2000]

It would be like cramming for a mid-term... you'll know it for a few days, then forget maybe 95% of it. You received an offer, so the hard part is over, relax. They were happy with your current level of knowledge, and they'll teach you what's necessary to perform the job once you get in there.

I'm not suggesting stop learning, I'm merely saying don't try to cram in a bunch of stuff a few weeks before starting unless they have given you specifics as to the type of projects you'll be working on.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[logbook]

I'm with Dan on this one. When you get there you will soon find out what things you need to focus on.

Working life is a succession of continuous learning.

 

[70AARCUDA]

...just two things to remember:

(1) EVERY wire is an ANTENNA.
(2) EVERY return wire isn't a GROUND.

 

[DHambley]

You're in a good spot if your first assignment is to develope test equipment. You won't be restrained by mountains of paperwork to qual your design as would be the case if you were designing part of a radar which goes into an aircraft. You get to 'play' with fun stuff and you basically just have to make it work.

 

[zappedagain]

I like RF Circuit Design - that was my starting point into RF a long, long time ago. I'm amazed at how often I still pull it off the shelf.

Reference Data for Engineers: Radio, Electronics, Computer, and Communication (SAMS 21563) if it is still in print.


Along with 70's comments:

GROUND is what you are probably walking on, not a magical symbol/net that makes your circuit work. At RF you need to treat GROUND as another signal that you are as careful with as any other RF trace.