Based on a course at North Carolina State University, Microwave and RF Design: A Systems Approach is a comprehensive introduction to RF and microwave design but with a modern asystems-firsta approach. Now more than ever, companies need engineers with an ingrained appreciation of systems and armed with the skills to make system decisions. This book is meticulously crafted to so the student (or new engineer) understands the impact that system-level decisions have on component and subsystem design and vice versa. The book was developed not only with the ideas and suggestions of professionals in academia and industry, but also on the comments of nearly 1,000 electrical engineering graduate students who have used drafts of this book. For Academia This book was developed for three courses; a final year undergraduate class, an introductory graduate class, and an advanced graduate class. It is developed around five modules that are largely independent but are best taught in sequence. A standard microwave class can be taught around modules 2 and 3 while a "systems first class" can be taught with the systems module and continuing through the transmission line and network module. Whatever the course, the fundamental philosophy is instructing on the broader impact; systems should be discussed first and not left as an afterthought. The most ingenious part is that one book can be used for multiple courses which build upon each other to reach a goal of sending a new engineer into industry with systems level knowledge. Supplementary materials for instructors include PowerPoint slides and solutions to selected problems. A complete set of solutions can be obtained by contacting the publisher. Professional Engineers This is a valuable systems primer, a refresher as needed, and a reference tool in the field. It will also serve those outside of RF circuit engineering who need to understand how they can work with RF hardware engineers. Creating innovative microwave and radio frequency systems that address market needs, or provide for new opportunities, is the most exciting challenge in RF design. Engineers who can conceptualize and architect new RF systems are in great demand. This book will provide the necessary background by stressing system principles immediately followed by core component technologies. It fulfills the role of fostering both high level abstraction of RF engineering, and also detailed design skills to realize effective RF and microwave components.