Aims: To give students an understanding of the key parameters involved in the wave propagation aspects of a wireless transmission link such as fixed wireless links, mobile links and radar systems. To introduce the basic concepts of the antenna as a system element and the inclusion of propagation factors.
Learning Outcomes: After completion, students should be able to: understand the main features of plane wave propagation in dielectrics, conductors and the lower atmosphere; the influence of plane boundaries and corners on wave propagation; understand propagation models for typical environments; understand the operation of basic antennas, arrays and apertures.
Skills: Students will learn the principles behind currently used techniques for describing and analysing the transmission of wireless signals. Taught, facilitated and assessed.
Content:
Radio Spectrum: Review of frequency bands & gaseous absorption properties.
Wave Propagation: Plane waves in dielectrics & conductors. The Doppler effect. Reflection and Refraction at oblique incidence. Knife Edge diffraction and Fresnel Zones.
Propagation Effects: Layered atmosphere and layered media. Plane Earth propagation. Propagation in irregular environments. Introduction to fading.
Antennas: Review of link power budgets. Hertzian dipole. Phased array of sources. Aperture antennas.
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