Outline

Overview

The basics of antenna radiation are introduced with emphasis on the important performance characteristics of the radiation field pattern (in 3 dimensions) and feed impedance. The omnidirectional and Hertzian dipole antennas (both hypothetical in practise but robust theoretically) provide the starting point to analyse real antenna operation. Mutual coupling between close antennas and important 'ground' imaging effects lead to the design of antenna arrays to increase gain and directivity. Aperture antennas and frequency broadbanding techniques are introduced. Ionospheric propagation is discussed and also the the reception efficiency of receiving antennas which allows consideration of a Transmitter - Receiver 'Link budget'. The important 'Pocklington' equation for a wire dipole is developed from Maxwell's equations and leads to the numerical analysis of wire antennas using 'Moment' methods. Real world applications are emphasised throughout and are reinforced by the hands on laboratory program which includes design projects.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mahyar Shirvanimoghaddam, mahyar.shirvanimoghaddam@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Syed Muzahir Abbas, syed.abbas@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Ayoob Salari, ayoob.salari@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Open book)	Final exam This is an open book examination.	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Lab report Weekly report for labs/tutorials.	30%	Please select a valid week from the list below	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1 Individual assignment due in Week 5.	5%	Week 05 Due date: 04 Sep 2022 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2 Individual assignment due in Week 8.	5%	Week 08 Due date: 25 Sep 2022 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Final project presentation This is to present the final project during week 13.	10%	Week 13	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

Final exam: This is an ‘open book’ examination where students are expected to demonstrate their full understanding of the course content and to be able to demonstrate their ability to tackle unusual antenna problems.
Lab report: The practical program provides real hands on experience of the important aspects of antenna operation. Students are able to get a feel for the fields in space which cannot be seen, a very real understanding of antenna patterns is acquired and the hugely important imaging and mutual impedance effects are well illustrated. Students also experience the performance of satellite reception antennas.
Presentation: Students learn about the research advances in the field of antenna engineering and familiarise themselves with the standard way of presenting results to the scientific audience. The IEEE papers will be distributed among the teams in advance. Presentations will be judged according to the marking criteria
Assignments: Consist of a number of problems similar to the ones discussed during the lectures. Provides the opportunity for a quick assessment and timely feedback. Submitted in a hand-written form.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	The course is introduced with a pictorial review of everyday antennas which we will encounter in the course. Basic ideas of radiation fields and the important links with RF transmission lines are developed.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to Antennas and Measurement Equipment	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Maxwell''s Equattiions and Basic Antenna Characteristics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Maxwell''s Equattiions and Basic Antenna Characteristics	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Wire Antennas	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Wire Antennas	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	input impedance and impedance matching	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Input impedance and impedance matching	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Transmission Lines	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Transmission Lines	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Field Concepts and Radio Waves	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Field Concepts and Radio Waves	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Design Procedure: Wire, Aperture and Microstrip Antennas	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Design Procedure: Wire, Aperture and Microstrip Antennas	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Antenna Arrays	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Antenna Arrays	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Antenna Measurement Techniques	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Antenna Measurement Techniques	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Design Procedure: Array, Reflector and Lens Antennas	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Design Procedure: Array, Reflector and Lens Antennas	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Numerical Methods and Simulation Software	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Numerical Methods and Simulation Software	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	State-of-the-art in Antenna Design	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	State-of-the-art in Antenna Design	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Review	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Review and project presentation	Tutorial (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Textbooks:

1. Elements of Electromagnetics

Sadiku, M. N. O. (2007); New York: Oxford University Press;

2. Antenna Theory - Analysis and Design(3rd Edition)

Balanis, C. A. (2005); John Wiley & Sons;

Recommended for reading:

3. Antennas: From theory to practice

Huang, Y., & Boyle, K. (2008); Chichester: Wiley;

4. Frontiers in antennas: Next generation design & engineering

Gross, F. B. (2012); New York: McGraw-Hill;

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. analyse and design solutions for antennas operating up to and including the microwave frequency level, by drawing on concepts and principles of antenna theory and practice
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of antenna theory and practise
LO3. demonstrate an understanding of antenna performance, as well as signal propagation and the associated link budget to the extent of the material presented
LO4. demonstrate an understanding of the process of designing a broad variety of antenna systems using principles, concepts and tools taught throughout the course
LO5. demonstrate an ability to develop the fundamental 'Pocklington Equation' for wire antennas which leads to the powerful computer based 'Moment Method' of analysis
LO6. write and maintain a laboratory log book to communicate problem-solving activities by using clear and concise language, sketches and diagrams at a technical level fitting for the tasks performed
LO7. conduct team work by assuming various roles as needed, demonstrating initiative and receptiveness to the viewpoints of others in the group so as to tackle and test design challenges.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit has been revised according to students comment and USS feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ELEC5101: Antennas and Propagation

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect