Course overview
Antennas and propagation effects play a crucial, even though often overlooked, role in RF systems. In practice, the design of a working system such as mobile phone networks, WiFi, RFID, Satellite communication and GPS requires a good understanding of these components. This course teaches the fundamentals of antenna and propagation and shows the application in practical examples. The course covers the theory of radiation, fundamental antenna parameters and concepts, wire antennas such as dipoles and loop antennas, antenna arrays, aperture antennas (e.g. horns), microstrip antennas, numerical analysis, communication & radar systems and propagation effects.
Course learning outcomes
- Interpret the important elements of antenna and propagation theory
- Calculate and apply fundamental antenna parameters
- Compare important classes of antennas and their properties
- Select a particular class of antenna for given specifications
- Apply theoretical principles to design an antenna, using EM simulation tools
- Explain techniques for estimating the propagation performance of a communication channel
- Define specifications for a communications system based on a set of requirements