Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title RF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED ELECTROMAGNETICS
Code ELEC311
Coordinator Dr J Zhou
Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Jiafeng.Zhou@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 6 FHEQ First Semester 7.5

Aims

This module aims to introduce students the fundamental concepts of high frequency electromagnetics; to present and develop the underlying theory of transmission lines (TX), including lossy TX; to introduce the Smith Chart as an important tool in TX design and analysis;  to give an appreciation of the importance of computational electromagnetics its role in industrial applications; to give a clear understanding of impedance matching and related techniques; to introduce the concept of the scattering parameters for 2-port networks and their applications and measurements; to understand radio wave propagation, attenuation and reflection; and to enable students appreciate the basic understanding of RF filter, ant enna and amplifier design.

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
ELEC210 MSc students choosing this module as an options need to have good knowledge of maths including complex number calculation. Understanding the impedance of an inductor or a capacitor etc. relationship of voltage, current and impedance, and fundamental knowledge of electromagnetic fields.  

Co-requisite modules:
 

Learning Outcomes

 

  • The essentials of RF engineering and applied EM. The circuit and field concepts and their relevance to RF systems.

  • The underlying theory and physical concepts behind transmission lines (TX) and the factors governing performance of real TEM transmission lines, and knowledge of various transmission lines in practice.

  • Reflection coeffiecients, VSWR,and return loss in communication systems

  • The methods of achieving matched conditions for maximum power transfer.

  • S- parameters and their measurement and applications.

  • An appreciation of radio propagation and antennas.

  • Fundamental knowledge of RF components and devices, such as filters and amplifiers, for modern communicaiton systems.

Syllabus
1  1 Introduction to RF systems and engineering.

Electromagnetic spectrum, essential passive elements (such as antennas, transmission lines and filters) and active elements (including amplifiers and oscillators). Examples of wireless communication systems (such as mobile phones) and airborne RF systems (such as GPS and radar).

2 Introduction to the circuit concepts and field concepts.

Review of the necessary maths (dB, vectors and complex numbers), electromagnetic fields and waves. The wave equation and solution. The concepts of polarisation, intrinsic impedance and power density function. Skin depth and non-ideal behaviour of electrical components as a function of frequency.

3 Transmission line s

Transmission line equation and theory, characteristic impedance, input impedance; phase velocity, group velocity and dispersion; attenuation and phase constants; loaded transmission lines and load relection coefficients. VSWR, return loss; impedance matching: quarter wave transformer and stub matching techniques. Comparision of various transmission lines. Equivalence of short sections of line to inductance or capacitance and application to high frequency filter design. The Smith Chart. Scattering matrix of simple 2-port networks; S-parameters of an RF element (such as a filter or transistor); application to S-parameter analysis. Vector network analyser and S-parameter measurements.

4 Radiowave propagation and antennas

Radiowave propagation in various media, path-loss and path-loss models; wave r elfection and transmission; Antenna essential concepts and parameters (input impedance, directivity, gain, efficiency, polarisation and radiation pattern). Basic antennas (dipole and loop). Friis equation and applications.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - There will be 12 taught lectures for this module

Students are required to complete 9 hours of homework which is provided in lecture notes.

Tutorial - Six tutorial hours for two problem classes and one self-diagnostic class test.

Students will be advised to work out questions in the problem sheets before attending the problem classes. The class test is for self-diagnostic only, which will not be marked.

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 12
There will be 12 taught lectures for this module
  6
Six tutorial hours for two problem classes and one self-diagnostic class test.
      18
Timetable (if known) Students are required to complete 9 hours of homework which is provided in lecture notes.
  		  Students will be advised to work out questions in the problem sheets before attending the problem classes. The class test is for self-diagnostic only, which will not be marked.
  		       
Private Study 57
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  2 hours  Semester 1 examination period  100  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Formal exam There is no reassessment opportunity, resit opportunity for MSc students on EETW and EETI in Aug/Sept Notes (applying to all assessments) Resit for MSc students only  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             

Reading List
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: