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EE50146: Radio & optical waves for communications

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 25%, EX 75%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Exam (EX 75%)
  • Technical Report (CW 25%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take EE20090 or equivalent.
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To give students an understanding of the key parameters involved in the wave propagation aspects of a wireless transmission link such as fixed wireless links, mobile links and radar systems. To introduce the basic concepts of the antenna as a system element and the inclusion of propagation factors.

Learning Outcomes:
After completion, students should be able to: understand the main features of plane wave propagation in dielectrics, conductors and the lower atmosphere; the influence of plane boundaries and corners on wave propagation; understand propagation models for typical environments; understand the operation of basic antennas, arrays and apertures.

Skills:
Students will learn the principles behind currently used techniques for describing and analysing the transmission of wireless signals. Taught, facilitated and assessed.

Content:
Review of the electromagnetic spectrum, properties of transmission media (atmosphere, fibres, cables)
Wave Propagation: Maxwell’s Equations, Plane waves in dielectrics & conductors. Reflection and Refraction at oblique incidence.
Propagation Effects: Layered atmosphere and layered media waveguide modes in optical fibres and waveguides. Plane Earth propagation. Propagation in irregular environments. Introduction to fading.
Antennas: Review of link power budgets. Simple antennas, Hertzian dipole. Phased array of sources. Aperture antennas.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

EE50146 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.