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EE30120: Radio & optical waves for communications

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you are advised to take EE20090 or equivalent.
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:
Wave Propagation: Plane waves in dielectrics & conductive media. 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, time and frequency selectivity, fading mitigation, typical fading channel characteristics. OFDM schemes and multi-user diversity schemes.
Antennas: Review of link power budgets. Simple antennas, Hertzian dipole. Phased array of sources. Aperture antennas.

Programme availability:

EE30120 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • UEEE-AFB14 : BEng(Hons) Electronic Engineering with Space Science & Technology (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB14 : BEng(Hons) Electronic Engineering with Space Science & Technology with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM14 : MEng(Hons) Electronic Engineering with Space Science & Technology (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM14 : MEng(Hons) Electronic Engineering with Space Science & Technology with Year long work placement (Year 4)

EE30120 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • UEEE-AFB13 : BEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB13 : BEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFB01 : BEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB01 : BEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFB15 : BEng(Hons) Electronic Systems Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB15 : BEng(Hons) Electronic Systems Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM13 : MEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM13 : MEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM01 : MEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM01 : MEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.