MEng Mechatronic Engineering / Course details

The unit will cover the following:

Antenna and Propagation (9 credits)

• General introduction to antennas systems and propagation in free space.
• Antenna parameters: Antenna gain, beamwidth, bandwidth, efficiency and size.
• Polarisation: Polarisation-linear, circular and elliptic, multipath effects.
• Antenna Radiation: Near field and far fields radiation and basic antenna measurements.
• Antenna types: Multiple antennas forming arrays and array factor. Feed structures.
• Antenna modelling: High-frequency methods, FDTD, MoM.
• Propagation: Radio wave propagation and electromagnetics.

RF Systems (6 credits)

Transmission line theory, Telegrapher’s equations. The Smith Chart, ABCD parameters and S-parameters. VSWR and reflection coefficient. Circuit analysis of lumped RF and distributed microwave components. Analysis of lossless reciprocal and non-reciprocal networks. Unitary condition. Worked examples – simple matching networks quarter-wave and lumped LC. Basics of the Smith Chart.

The course unit aims to:

• Develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of antenna function and characteristics.
• Develop an understanding of the key parameters affecting the propagation of electromagnetic waves in free-space.
• Develop awareness and understanding of the available methods used to model antenna systems. 
• Examine the basic analysis techniques for RF and microwave network analysis.
• Show how Smith Chart is used to analyse a circuit and to undertake some basic matching.

Knowledge and understanding:

• Understanding of the key parameters when addressing the performance of antennas and the theory behind it.
• Understand the effect of antenna gain, beam width, polarisation and the nearfield & farfield radiation.
• Develop the knowledge of the main modelling techniques available to model antenna performance.
• Develop the knowledge of  the measurement procedures and equipments needed for Antennas and RF circuits
• Understand transmission line theory, loading and discrete modelling.
• Understand the application of the Smith Chart.

Intellectual skills:

• The ability to demonstrate knowledge of antennas used in various communication systems and their key performance parameters.
• Ability to discriminate between antennas on the basis of their electrical performance and their application.
• Identify the appropriate measurement equipment needed for a particular antenna or RF function test.
• Understand the fundamentals of using a microwave circuit simulator such as Keysight's ADS and CST Microwave Studio 3-D modelling tool.

Practical skills:

• Develop the ability to use industry standard tools such as Keysight's ADS and CST Microwave Studio for 3D EM modelling.
• Use engineering understanding to interpret modelling results.

Transferable skills personal qualities:

• The ability to work within a small group to design and build a project within an allocated time
• Appreciation of the engineering and analytical thinking on addressing and resolving practical problems
• Report writing.

Unseen Written Examination:

6 questions: 3 from "Antennas" and 3 from "RF System Analysis"

Answer all questions.

Duration, 3 hours.

Calculators are permitted.

The examination forms 70% of the unit assessment.

Coursework:

3 laboratory sessions.

Duration of each laboratory, 2 hours 50 minutes.

Two reports required; one for transmission line and matching CAD modelling and one for the antenna modelling laboratory using CST Microwave Studio.

Laboratory assessments are weighted 15% each.

Course work forms 30% of the unit assessment.

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