Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Weekly workshop reports 2 x 10% | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Project Report 3 x 10% | 30% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Exam | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Project Report 3 x 10% | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Weekly workshop reports 2 x 10% | 20% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Exam | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Apply with justification the fundamental principles of electromagnetism to radio-wave propagation and sensing.
Solve complex problems in radio-wave propagation, sensing, and characterisation techniques.
Critically evaluate principles of operation of the modern high-performance antenna front ends for efficient communication.
Show mastery in application of computer-aided package for design, modelling, and characterisation of antennas.
Present and discuss results on antennas and propagation in formal technical report(s).
Brief description
The module focuses on developing a theoretical understanding of antennas, radio-frequency wave propagation and the use of electromagnetic (EM) principles in developing radio devices. Advanced design methodologies of antennas and transmission lines are considered as well as their applications in state-of-the-art wireless communication systems, sensing networks and novel applications such as body-centric antennas, smart materials etc. Application of theory is supported through a series of practical/theoretical individual and group exercises in workshops.
Content
Wave Propagation
• Introduction to generation, transmission, and radiation of electromagnetic waves in antennas.
• Basic concept of indoor propagation, benefits, limitations and challenges (pico-femtocells)
• Propagation models, free space propagation, path loss, shadowing, fast fading, reflections.
• Diffraction and Huygen’s Principle
• Fresnel Zones. Tropospheric Refraction
Antennas
• Introduction to antennas, and their role in modern communication systems.
• Fundamentals of impedance matching, network theory, S-parameters, transmission line media (waveguide, coax, microstrip, stripline, coplanar waveguide, etc.) and passive components.
• Base station and mobile antennas (how to meet the ever-increasing demands and cost).
• Antennas for smart applications, (versatile, compact, conformal, multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, phased arrays etc.)
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Adaptability and resilience | Adaptability and resilience are required to lead the problem solving in the right direction. |
| Co-ordinating with others | This will be helpful in group discussions during workshops. |
| Creative Problem Solving | Problem solving is a key skill in engineering. |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Critical and analytical thinking is required for the design exercises using software. |
| Digital capability | Digital capability is essential in the use of software skills for computational analysis. |
| Professional communication | Written communication is developed in formal technical reports. |
| Real world sense | The module develops skills that may be applied in industry. |
| Reflection | The students will need to reflect on their practices when carrying out workshop exercises. |
| Subject Specific Skills | The module develops technical skills related to antenna design. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7