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
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Understand use of vector calculus to represent fields and waves
- Interactions between EM waves and matter and its application to communications (optical and wireless)
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Electromagnetic boundary conditions
- Data transmission lines
- Vector differential calculus
- Antennas for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves
- Interaction between electromagnetic waves, materials and interfaces
- Maxwell's equations, their application and context
- Waveguides and optical fibres
- Electromagnetic wave propagation in free space and materials
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Electromagnetic propagation and antennas
- Electromagnetic theory
- Basic coherent and non-coherent optics
- Electromagnetic and electrostatic fields
- Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
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 |
|---|---|
| Revision | 10 |
| Follow-up work | 18 |
| Tutorial | 12 |
| Wider reading or practice | 48 |
| Completion of assessment task | 8 |
| Lecture | 36 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 18 |
| 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
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final Assessment | 85% |
| Continuous Assessment | 15% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat
Repeat assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External