Module overview
The course presents the principles and applications of electromagnetic theory with examples in high-speed electronics, communications and electromagnetic compatibility, and provides an introduction to photonic engineering.
It covers the underlying mathematics of vector fields and electromagnetics required for communications. Course participants will become familiar with the most common methods of data transmission including short and long distance electronic interconnect, fibre optic interconnect and wireless interconnect.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Waveguides and optical fibres
- Maxwell's equations, their application and context
- Data transmission lines
- Vector differential calculus
- Electromagnetic boundary conditions
- Electromagnetic wave propagation in free space and materials
- Antennas for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves
- Interaction between electromagnetic waves, materials and interfaces
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Electromagnetic theory
- Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
- Basic coherent and non-coherent optics
- Electromagnetic and electrostatic fields
- Electromagnetic propagation and antennas
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Interactions between EM waves and matter and its application to communications (optical and wireless)
- Understand use of vector calculus to represent fields and waves
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Select and use appropriate interconnect for short and long distance communications
Syllabus
Electromagnetism in industrial electronics: electromagnetic compatibility, the mobile phone and optical fibre communications
- Vectors, Vector fields, and Vector calculus
- Div, Grad, Curl,
- Divergence theorem, Stokes' theorem
- Maxwell's equations
- Coulomb's law and Gauss' Law
- Energy and momentum in electromagnetic fields
- Electrostatic dipoles and dielectrics
- Electromagnetic wave propagation in air, metal conductors, and dielectric materials
- Electromagnetic spectrum
- Frequency dependent properties of metal transmission lines
- Skin-depth and impedance
- Reflection and refraction of light
- Use of total internal reflection for data transmission in optical waveguides, and fibres
- Frequency dependent properties of optical waveguides
- Convergence of electronic and optical data transmission for semiconductor devices
- Introduction to planar lightwave circuits, and silicon photonic devices
- Radiation and antennas for wireless communications
Learning and Teaching
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 18 |
| Completion of assessment task | 8 |
| Wider reading or practice | 48 |
| Follow-up work | 18 |
| Revision | 10 |
| Lecture | 36 |
| Tutorial | 12 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Internet Resources
RF and Microwave Engineering: Fundamentals of Wireless Communications.
Textbooks
Joseph Edminister. Electromagnetics. Schaum’s Outline series.
David J. Griffiths. Introduction to Electrodynamics. Pearson,Benjamin Cummings.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Students will receive feedback in-class during lectures and laboratory sessions. Feedback will be given after the courseworks are marked.
Demonstrators will help and advise students, as well as grading their work.
Students may contact the teaching team via email for advice and academic support.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 5% |
| Examination | 85% |
| Introduction | 5% |
| Coursework | 5% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External