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Applications of Electromagnetics - ELE00081H

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module provides advanced applications of Electromagnetics principles from previous modules to enable students to understand Antennas and propagation of radio waves; principles of RF circuits; Interference in and between systems.

Professional requirements

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Additional information

 

 

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • To introduce students to the properties of antennas that describe their use in radio communications systems

  • To introduce students to the basic physics of the operation of antennas

  • To introduce the most commonly used modes of radio propagation in the Earth's atmosphere

  • To provide an insight into the physics of these modes

  • To illustrate common uses of these modes, and to enable students to estimate the channel losses in each case

  • To understand the physical and mathematical basis of distributed-circuit techniques in RF and microwave engineering, and their practical application in RF and microwave design

  • To introduce students to the concept of noise and interference in electronic systems and to describe the sources, effects and control of noise and interference

  • To introduce students to the design of waveguides for the most important technical application, including optical fibre links.

Graduate skills aims:

  • To develop skills in the selection and application of appropriate numeric and algebraic technique

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Describe the internal and external factors of interference in electronic circuits

  • Be able to apply interference reduction techniques

  • Take account of the main considerations in design of free-space and guided optical links

  • Be able to describe and calculate the loss and dispersion limits of propagation distance in fibre optical links

  • Explain the importance of antennas in all types of radio communication systems

  • Be able to specify the performance of the system in terms of antenna characteristics

  • Be able to estimate the channel losses for guided, ground, sky and free-space waves, including the effects of diffraction and reflections, and know what applications use these propagation modes

  • Explain the problems of interference and fading, and be familiar with (and able to use to calculate fading probabilities) a two-ray model and Rayleigh model

  • Know how to use the Smith Chart for transmission-line calculations

  • Be able to design single-stub and quarter-wave matching networks

  • Describe how S-parameters are used in amplifier and attenuator design

  • Describe the fundamentals of how a network analyser works

  • Describe the principles of crosstalk and its reduction by separation and shielding

  • Describe the principles of power supply network design to reduce switching noise

  • Describe the basic electromagnetic compatibility requirements for electronic systems

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to explain and evaluate advanced technical concepts concisely and accurately

  • Be able to select, adapt and apply a range of mathematical techniques to solve advanced problems

  • Have developed skills in problem solving, critical analysis and applied mathematics

Module content

EMC and Signal Integrity: Interference between systems, radiated and conducted; crosstalk and cable coupling; power supply noise and decoupling.

Free space and guided wave links: Friis equation, path losses, diffraction, reflection, ionospheric propagation, ground waves, waveguide components, multipath propagation and fading.

Antennas: Radiation pattern, polarisation; simple antennas: current element, dipole, monopole;

array antennas; measurements.

S-parameters, amplifiers, and matching: Transmission lines, Smith chart calculations, impedance matching techniques including single-stub; S-parameters of amplifiers & attenuators; Network analyser measurements.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 60
Practical 40

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The laboratory assessments are intended to test your understanding of the experiments carried out and provide some feedback on reporting. The closed book exam tests your ability to analyse problems and explain concepts covered in the module.

Laboratory assessments will be a mix of formative and summative and will run through the semester.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 60
Practical 40

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments. A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.

The School of PET aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.

Formative Feedback

  • Questions can be asked at any time, and will be answered as soon as possible.

  • Practicals and workshops will provide an opportunity for discussion and formative feedback

Summative Feedback

  • General feedback will be published.

  • Lab assessments are annotated with some feedback

Indicative reading

Griffiths, J, ‘Radio-Wave Propagation and Antennas: An Introduction’, Prentice Hall

Paul, C. R., ‘Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility’, Wiley

Fawwaz Ulaby & Umberto Ravaioli, ‘Fundamentals of Applied Electromagnetics’, 8th edition, Pearson

Fleisch, D, ‘A student’s Guide to Maxwell’s Equations,’ Cambridge University Press


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.