ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION - 2020/1

Module Overview

IMPORTANT: The second assessment pattern (100% Weighting) is only applicable to the MSc Short Course Students

Expected prior learning: None.

Module purpose: Antennas and the propagation of radio on the physical layer (PHY) are a fundamental aspect of communications, space and radar as well as any other device that will radiate electromagnetic waves over an air interface. In order for wireless devices to operate and comply with suitable standards, it is important that they use a suitable antenna design, while also modelling the propagation environment the device may encounter is important for purposes of testing the radio transceiver, thus knowledge of propagation modelling is required to achieve this.

 

Module provider

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Module Leader

BROWN Tim (Elec Elec En)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes the following:

•Role of an antenna in a system

•Radiation mechanism

•Introduction to common forms of antenna.

•Fundamental parameters of antennas, including: gain, polarisation, impedance, and bandwidth.

•Antenna characterisation

•Principles of operation of microstrip patch and linear wire antennas

•Fundamentals of phased array antennas.

•Fundamental physical components of propagation: reflection, refraction and diffraction.

•Deterministic propagation models: free space, plane earth and ray tracing.

•Empirical and Stochastic propagation models: Shadowing, Rayleigh/Rice fading, Doppler spread.

•Small antenna design examples.

•Computer aided and practical laboratory design exercises.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Not applicable: students failing a unit of assessment resit the assessment in its original format.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate not only knowledge in antenna theory but to apply the theory through the laboratory exercises they will undertake whereby they will realise the challenges in designing an antenna both in the context of simulating a design but also in building a prototype. Students will also gain a hands on experience in measuring and evaluating antenna prototype designs. The examination will test not only knowledge of antenna theory and principles of radio propagation but to apply such cases to problem solving suited to the deployment of fixed and mobile wireless links.

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of the following.

• 
  A two hour written exam consisting of four questions, where a choice of three questions should be attempted. Each question contains a problem solving task. This constitutes 80% of the final mark.
  


• 
  A practical lab task designing and testing a prototype antenna (3 hours), after which a laboratory report is submitted two weeks after the week of the laboratory, usually weeks 6 or 7 depending on when the laboratory took place. This constitutes 10% of the final mark.
  


• 
  A computer aided design (CAD) laboratory (3 hours) using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio. The laboratory will include familiarisation with the package after which an antenna is to be designed. The results of the design are submitted at the end of the laboratory. This constitutes 10% of the final mark.
  
   
  
  Any deadline given here is indicative. For confirmation of exact dates and times, please check the Departmental assessment calendar issued to you.
  
   
  
  Formative assessment and feedback
  
  For the module, students will receive formative assessment/feedback in the following ways:
  

• 
  During lectures where suitable problem tests are included within the sessions
  


• 
  During tutorials/tutorial classes
  


• 
  During supervised laboratory sessions
  


• 
  During supervised computer laboratory sessions
  

Module aims

• This module aims to bring the student to understand the key aspects of antenna theory and design (including practical hands on laboratory exercises) as well as fundamental factors involved in modelling radio channels to ensure conformance in wireless system design and deployment.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to achieve the following aims:

• 
  To know and apply the fundamental physics behind antennas and radio propagation through which they can be applied to real scenarios.
  


• 
  To gain design skills in simulating, building, testing and evaluating antennas.
  


• 
  To explain the difference as well as advantages and disadvantages of different propagation models and know the contexts in which they can be used for fixed and mobile link deployments.
  

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  Lectures up to three hours per week in a single block (including short breaks in between).
  


• 
  Where lectures are less than three hours, the remaining time is given to tutorial time.
  


• 
  Two weeks of thee hour laboratory classes, one week with a computer aided design (CAD) based assignment and the other as a practical lab building and testing an antenna prototype.
  

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: EEEM006

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.