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  2. Propagation and Antennas [ENS5447]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Propagation and Antennas

  • Unit Code

    ENS5447

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit describes how electromagnetism can transfer energy and information between two points. The fundamentals of electromagnetic wave propagation and propagation mechanisms are reviewed. Mathematical tools are used to identify key factors in designing efficient transmitting and receiving systems, and in understanding how the transmission medium can affect the performance of energy and information transfer. Various types of antennas used in radio communication are also covered.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply mathematical tools to solve problems in electromagnetic wave propagation and antenna design.
  2. Describe how electromagnetism can be used to transfer energy and information between two points.
  3. Evaluate some of the latest technological advancements and applications in electromagnetics, e.g. Square Kilometre Array.
  4. Identify the characteristics of the medium in which EM waves are transmitted and describe how these characteristics may affect the efficient transfer of energy and information.
  5. Identify the key factors that determine the efficient design of transmitters and receivers of electromagnetic signals.
  6. Research new developments in the field of applied electromagnetics and reflect critically on their significance to engineering practice.
  7. Select the most appropriate antennas for various applications.

Unit Content

  1. Adaptation of technological advancements in applied electromagnetics to engineering practice.
  2. Antennas - far field approximation; short dipole radiators and receivers; beam area, directivity, effective aperture and radiation impedance; dipole arrays and general antenna types; antenna noise.
  3. Electric fields - charge, electric potential and electric flux; Gauss's Law; capacitance; electric current.
  4. Magnetic fields - magnetic flux and flux density; inductance; Faraday's and Ampere's Laws.
  5. Maxwell's equations.
  6. Required mathematical fundamentals - coordinate systems; vector algebra; line and surface integrals.
  7. Satellite communication - satellite communication systems; antenna beams; radar sensors; target detection; Doppler radar; monopulse radar.
  8. Technological problems in applied electromagnetics.
  9. Wave propagation - the wave equation; transverse electromagnetic waves; the Poynting vector; conductive and dielectric media; waves at interfaces, reflection and refraction; polarisation; diffraction.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars and laboratory work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentDesign problems15%
TestMid-semester theory test20%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory work and reports15%
Examination ^End of semester examination50%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • ^ Ulaby, F. T., Michielssen, E., & Ravaioli, U. (2010). Fundamentals of applied electromagnetics (6th ed.), International Edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall.
  • Balanis, C.A. (2005). Antenna theory: analysis and design (3rd ed.). Chichester: Wiley.
  • Paul, C. R. (2004). Electromagnetics for engineers. New York: John Wiley.
  • Saunders, S. R., & Aragon-Zavala, A. (2007). Antennas and propagation for wireless communication systems (2nd ed.). Chichester: Wiley.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS5447|2|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Propagation and Antennas

  • Unit Code

    ENS5447

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit describes how electromagnetism can transfer energy and information between two points. The fundamentals of electromagnetic wave propagation and propagation mechanisms are reviewed. Mathematical tools are used to identify key factors in designing efficient transmitting and receiving systems, and in understanding how the transmission medium can affect the performance of energy and information transfer. Various types of antennas used in radio communication are also covered.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply mathematical tools to solve problems in electromagnetic wave propagation and antenna design.
  2. Describe how electromagnetism can be used to transfer energy and information between two points.
  3. Evaluate some of the latest technological advancements and applications in electromagnetics, e.g. Square Kilometre Array.
  4. Identify the characteristics of the medium in which EM waves are transmitted and describe how these characteristics may affect the efficient transfer of energy and information.
  5. Identify the key factors that determine the efficient design of transmitters and receivers of electromagnetic signals.
  6. Research new developments in the field of applied electromagnetics and reflect critically on their significance to engineering practice.
  7. Select the most appropriate antennas for various applications.

Unit Content

  1. Adaptation of technological advancements in applied electromagnetics to engineering practice.
  2. Antennas - far field approximation; short dipole radiators and receivers; beam area, directivity, effective aperture and radiation impedance; dipole arrays and general antenna types; antenna noise.
  3. Electric fields - charge, electric potential and electric flux; Gauss's Law; capacitance; electric current.
  4. Magnetic fields - magnetic flux and flux density; inductance; Faraday's and Ampere's Laws.
  5. Maxwell's equations.
  6. Required mathematical fundamentals - coordinate systems; vector algebra; line and surface integrals.
  7. Satellite communication - satellite communication systems; antenna beams; radar sensors; target detection; Doppler radar; monopulse radar.
  8. Technological problems in applied electromagnetics.
  9. Wave propagation - the wave equation; transverse electromagnetic waves; the Poynting vector; conductive and dielectric media; waves at interfaces, reflection and refraction; polarisation; diffraction.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars and laboratory work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentDesign problems15%
TestMid-semester theory test20%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory work and reports15%
Examination ^End of semester examination50%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • ^ Ulaby, F. T., Michielssen, E., & Ravaioli, U. (2010). Fundamentals of applied electromagnetics (6th ed.), International Edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall.
  • Balanis, C.A. (2005). Antenna theory: analysis and design (3rd ed.). Chichester: Wiley.
  • Paul, C. R. (2004). Electromagnetics for engineers. New York: John Wiley.
  • Saunders, S. R., & Aragon-Zavala, A. (2007). Antennas and propagation for wireless communication systems (2nd ed.). Chichester: Wiley.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS5447|2|2