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Unit of study_

ELEC5101: Antennas and Propagation

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The basics of antenna radiation are introduced with emphasis on the important performance characteristics of the radiation field pattern (in 3 dimensions) and feed impedance. The omnidirectional and Hertzian dipole antennas (both hypothetical in practise but robust theoretically) provide the starting point to analyse real antenna operation. Mutual coupling between close antennas and important 'ground' imaging effects lead to the design of antenna arrays to increase gain and directivity. Aperture antennas and frequency broadbanding techniques are introduced. Ionospheric propagation is discussed and also the the reception efficiency of receiving antennas which allows consideration of a Transmitter - Receiver 'Link budget'. The important 'Pocklington' equation for a wire dipole is developed from Maxwell's equations and leads to the numerical analysis of wire antennas using 'Moment' methods. Real world applications are emphasised throughout and are reinforced by the hands on laboratory program which includes design projects.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ELEC5101
Academic unit Electrical and Information Engineering
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Mahyar Shirvanimoghaddam, mahyar.shirvanimoghaddam@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Syed Muzahir Abbas, syed.abbas@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Ayoob Salari, ayoob.salari@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Final exam
This is an open book examination.
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Lab report
30% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Assignment 1
5% Week 05 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO6
Assignment Assignment 2
5% Week 08 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO6
Presentation group assignment Final project presentation
10% Week 13 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Final exam: This is an ‘open book’ examination where students are expected to demonstrate their full understanding of the course content and to be able to demonstrate their ability to tackle unusual antenna problems.
  • Lab report: The practical program provides real hands on experience of the important aspects of antenna operation. Students are able to get a feel for the fields in space which cannot be seen, a very real understanding of antenna patterns is acquired and the hugely important imaging and mutual impedance effects are well illustrated. Students also experience the performance of satellite reception antennas.
  • Presentation: Students learn about the research advances in the field of antenna engineering and familiarise themselves with the standard way of presenting results to the scientific audience. The IEEE papers will be distributed among the teams in advance. Presentations will be judged according to the marking criteria
  • Assignments: Consist of a number of problems similar to the ones discussed during the lectures. Provides the opportunity for a quick assessment and timely feedback. Submitted in a hand-written form.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 The course is introduced with a pictorial review of everyday antennas which we will encounter in the course. Basic ideas of radiation fields and the important links with RF transmission lines are developed. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Introduction to Antennas and Measurement Equipment Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 02 Maxwell''s Equattiions and Basic Antenna Characteristics Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Maxwell''s Equattiions and Basic Antenna Characteristics Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Wire Antennas Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Wire Antennas Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 input impedance and impedance matching Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Input impedance and impedance matching Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Transmission Lines Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Transmission Lines Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Field Concepts and Radio Waves Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Field Concepts and Radio Waves Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Design Procedure: Wire, Aperture and Microstrip Antennas Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Design Procedure: Wire, Aperture and Microstrip Antennas Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Antenna Arrays Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Antenna Arrays Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Antenna Measurement Techniques Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Antenna Measurement Techniques Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Design Procedure: Array, Reflector and Lens Antennas Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Design Procedure: Array, Reflector and Lens Antennas Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Numerical Methods and Simulation Software Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Numerical Methods and Simulation Software Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 State-of-the-art in Antenna Design Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
State-of-the-art in Antenna Design Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Textbooks:

1. Elements of Electromagnetics

Sadiku, M. N. O. (2007); New York: Oxford University Press; 

 2. Antenna Theory - Analysis and Design(3rd Edition)

Balanis, C. A. (2005); John Wiley & Sons;

Recommended for reading:

3. Antennas: From theory to practice

Huang, Y., & Boyle, K. (2008); Chichester: Wiley; 

4. Frontiers in antennas: Next generation design & engineering

Gross, F. B. (2012); New York: McGraw-Hill;  

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. analyse and design solutions for antennas operating up to and including the microwave frequency level, by drawing on concepts and principles of antenna theory and practice
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of antenna theory and practise
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of antenna performance, as well as signal propagation and the associated link budget to the extent of the material presented
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of the process of designing a broad variety of antenna systems using principles, concepts and tools taught throughout the course
  • LO5. demonstrate an ability to develop the fundamental 'Pocklington Equation' for wire antennas which leads to the powerful computer based 'Moment Method' of analysis
  • LO6. write and maintain a laboratory log book to communicate problem-solving activities by using clear and concise language, sketches and diagrams at a technical level fitting for the tasks performed
  • LO7. conduct team work by assuming various roles as needed, demonstrating initiative and receptiveness to the viewpoints of others in the group so as to tackle and test design challenges.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit has been revised according to students comment and USS feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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