ELEC ENG 7055 - Antennas & Propagation

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

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.

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Course Details

Course Code	ELEC ENG 7055
Course	Antennas & Propagation
Coordinating Unit	Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 4 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Incompatible	ELEC ENG 4067
Assumed Knowledge	Some basic communications and electromagnetic theory
Assessment	Quiz, Assignments, Exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Andy Boes

Lecturers:
Prof. Christophe Fumeaux
Dr. Shengjian Jammy Chen

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1	Interpret the important elements of antenna and propagation theory;
2	Calculate and apply fundamental antenna parameters;
3	Compare important classes of antennas and their properties;
4	Select a particular class of antenna for given specifications;
5	Apply theoretical principles to design an antenna;
6	Calculate the directivity and power radiated from a generic antenna;
7	Explain techniques for estimating the propagation performance of a communication channel; and
8	Define specifications for a communications system based on a set of requirements.

The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Entry to Practice Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer. The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):

1.1	1.2	1.3	1.4	1.5	1.6	2.1	2.2	2.3	2.4	3.1	3.2	3.3	3.4	3.5	3.6
C	C	C	B	B	A	C	C	C	B	B	B	B	B	B	B

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1, 2, 5, 6
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	3, 7, 8
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	2, 3, 5, 6
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1, 3, 4, 7, 8

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Balanis, C., “Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design”, Wiley Interscience, Third Edition

Recommended Resources

Coleman, C.J. “An introduction to radio frequency engineering”, Cambridge, 2004,

Additional resources will be provided online in MyUni during the course of the semester: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login

Online Learning

Extensive use will be made of the MyUni web site for this course,
https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login.

Course notes, tutorial problems and solutions, assignments and additional references will all be available for downloading from the web site.

Where the lecture theatre facilities permit, audio or video recordings of lectures will also be available.

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course relies on lectures as the primary delivery mechanism for the material. Tutorials supplement the lectures by providing exercises and example problems to enhance the understanding obtained through lectures. Continuous assessment activities provide the formative assessment opportunities for students to gauge their progress and understanding.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Activity		Contact hours	Workload hours
Lecture	12 lectures	24	60
Tutorials	10 tutorials	20	40
In-class test		1	16
Assignments	2	0	16
Exam	1	2	24
TOTALS		47	156

Learning Activities Summary

Activity	Sessions	Topic
Lecture	1	Introduction
	2-3	Antenna Fundamentals
	4	Vector Potentials
	5	Wire Antennas
	6	Antenna Arrays
	7	Aperture Antennas
	8	Microstrip Antennas
	9-12	Propagation
Tutorial	1	Refresher of prerequisites
	2-3	Antenna Fundamentals
	4-5	Transmission & Radar Equations
	6	Wire Antennas
	7	Antenna Arrays
	8	Microstrip Antennas
	9-10	Propagation
Assignments	1	Fundamentals
Assignments	2	Antenna Design

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Weighting (%)	Individual/ Group	Formative/ Summative	Due (week)*	Hurdle criteria	Learning outcomes
2 Assignments	20	Individual	Formative	Weeks 8-10		2. 3. 5. 6.
1 in-class Quiz	20	Individual	Summative	Week 12		7. 8.
Exam	60	Individual	Summative		Min 40%	1. 2. 3. 4. 8.
Total	100

* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

This assessment breakdown is registered as an exemption to the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy. The exemption is related to the Procedures clause(s): 1. c.

This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.

Assessment Related Requirements

The examination is a hurdle requirement. It is necessary to achieve at least 40% in the exam. If this is not achieved, the total course mark will be limited to a maximum of 49.

A hurdle requirement is defined by the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs policy as "...an assessment task mandating a minimum level of performance as a condition of passing the course.
If a student fails to meet a hurdle requirement (normally no less than 40%),and is assigned a total mark for the course in the range of 45-49, then the student is entitled to an offer of additional assessment of some type. The type of assessment is to be decided by the School Assessment Review Committee when determining final results. The student’s final total mark will be entered at no more than 49% and the offer of an additional assessment will be specified eg. US01. Once the additional assessment has been completed, this mark will be included in the calculation of the total mark for the course and the better of the two results will apply. Note however that the maximum final result for a course in which a student has sat an additional assessment will be a “50 Pass”.

If a student is unable to meet a hurdle requirement related to an assessment piece (may be throughout semester or at semester’s end) due to medical or compassionate circumstances beyond their control, then the student is entitled to an offer of replacement assessment of some type. An interim result of RP will be entered for the student, and the student will be notified of the offer of a replacement assessment. Once the replacement assessment has been completed, the result of that assessment will be included in the calculation of the total mark for the course.

Assessment Detail

Details of individual assessment tasks will be provided during the semester.

Submission

All written submissions to formative assessment activities are to be submitted electronically, or to designated boxes within the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, by the advertised deadline and must be accompanied by a signed cover sheet. Copies of blank cover sheets are available from the School office in Ingkarni Wardli 3.26, or online in electronic form. Late submissions are not accepted unless explicit prior approval is granted by the course coordinator or Head of School. All in-term assessments will have a two week turn-around time for provision of feedback to students.

Full details can be found at the School policies website:
http://eleceng.adelaide.edu.au/current-students/undergraduate/

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator