Programme

I PART

Introductory concepts:
Linear algebraic systems and their numerical solution
Singular-value decomposition (SVD) of general complex matrices.
Fundamentals of radiation.
Antenna parameters.
Elementary array theory.
Beyond elementary array theory.

Microstrip and Printed antennas:
Overview, basic principles of operation, feeding methods, and radiation characteristics.
Design procedures and CAD formulas.
Circular polarization, broadband and multi-band antennas, and miniaturization.

II PART

Periodic structures:
Introduction, basic theory (space harmonics, Floquet theorem).
Brillouin diagrams.
Bloch analysis.

Leaky-wave antennas (LWAs):
General features and classification.
Design procedures for 1D LWAs.
Fabry-Perot cavity antennas; general features of 2D LWAs

Arrays for wireless communications:
Characterization of the wireless channel.
Arrays and diversity.
Introduction to Multiple-Input/Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems.

Boundary integral equations and the Method of Moments (MoM):
MoM for 1D integral equations; basis and test functions.
MoM for thin wires.
Boundary integral representations of the electromagnetic field and boundary integral equations.
Mixed-Potential Integral Equation (MPIE) in free space.
MoM for MPIE: basis and test functions.
MPIE in layered media.
Sommerfeld integrals, asymptotic extractions, and spatial singularities.
Acceleration techniques for integral and series in electromagnetic problems.
MoM for MPIE: periodic structures (free space and layered media).

III (Numerical simulations with commercial electromagnetic software)

Electromagnetic CAD:
Ansys Designer and FEKO: introduction and general features.
Analysis of microstrip antennas: simple patch antenna, mutual coupling, and array configurations.
Analysis of Frequency Selective Surfaces. (FSSs)

Prerequisiti

Knowledge of basic notions of applied electromagnetics (fundamental electromagnetic equations, plane waves in free space, reflection and refraction of plane waves from planar boundaries, transmission-line formalism, guided-wave propagation, Green’s functions, radiation integrals)

Core Documentation

Teaching material:
• Slides of the lessons available on the Moodle area of the course

Reference Bibliography

Bibliography: • C. A. Balanis, Antenna theory, analysis and design. New York, NY: Wiley Interscience, 2005, 3a ed. • Y.T. Lo, S.W. Lee, Antenna Handbook. Antenna theory, Volume II, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1993 • D. R. Jackson, “Microstrip Antennas,” Ch. 7 of Antenna Engineering Handbook, J. L. Volakis, Editor, McGraw Hill, 2007. • D. R. Jackson, S. A. Long, J. T. Williams, and V. B. Davis, “Computer-Aided Design of Rectangular Microstrip Antennas,” Ch. 5 of Advances in Microstrip and Printed Antennas, • K. F. Lee and W. Chen, Eds., John Wiley, 1997 • D. Guha e Y. M. M. Antar, Eds., Microstrip and printed antennas: New trends, techniques and applications. Wiley, 2011. • R. E. Collin and F. J. Zucker, Antenna theory. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1969. • D. Tse and P. Viswanath, Fundamentals of Wireless Communication, Cambridge University Press, 2005. • K. F. Warnick, Numerical methods for engineering: An introduction using Matlab and computational electromagnetics. Raleigh, NC: SciTech Publishing Inc, 2011. • D. B. Davidson, Computational electromagnetics for RF and microwave engineering. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2011. • R. C. Booton, Computational methods for electromagnetics and microwaves. New York, NY: Wiley, 1992, 2a ed. • A. F. Peterson, S. L. Ray e R. Mittra, Computational methods for electromagnetics. New York: IEEE Press, 1997.

Type of delivery of the course

lectures, tutorials, seminars

Attendance

Non-mandatory attendance

Type of evaluation

-Two oral questions (max 15 points each) on the first and second parts of the program, respectively. The exam is passed if the overall grade is greater than or equal to 18/30. -There is one exemption test (written exam with one or more open questions) of the first part of the program (max 15 points). Exemption from the first part is obtained with a score equal to or greater than 9. The final exam, in the case of exemption from the first part, will consist of one oral question on the second part of the course (max 15 points). The exam is passed if the overall grade is greater than or equal to 18/30. For each part, the score will reflect the completeness and accuracy of the answer; understanding of the physical principles and mathematical models of the antennas and electromagnetic structures covered; rigour of reasoning and any mathematical derivations; the ability to discuss analysis and design methods, their assumptions, and their limits of validity; the ability to connect theoretical topics with applications and numerical exercises; and clarity of expression and appropriate use of technical terminology. Grades in the range 18–23/30 reflect knowledge of the fundamentals and an overall satisfactory understanding of the models and methods, despite some uncertainty and a limited ability to explore topics in depth. Grades in the range 24–27/30 reflect sound knowledge, correct interpretation of physical phenomena, and a good ability to discuss methods and their applications. Grades in the range 28–30/30 reflect comprehensive and integrated knowledge, methodological rigour, independent reasoning, and the ability to critically assess models and results, supported by clear and precise explanations.

Programme

I PART

Introductory concepts:
Linear algebraic systems and their numerical solution
Singular-value decomposition (SVD) of general complex matrices.
Fundamentals of radiation.
Antenna parameters.
Elementary array theory.
Beyond elementary array theory.

Microstrip and Printed antennas:
Overview, basic principles of operation, feeding methods, and radiation characteristics.
Design procedures and CAD formulas.
Circular polarization, broadband and multi-band antennas, and miniaturization.

II PART

Periodic structures:
Introduction, basic theory (space harmonics, Floquet theorem).
Brillouin diagrams.
Bloch analysis.

Leaky-wave antennas (LWAs):
General features and classification.
Design procedures for 1D LWAs.
Fabry-Perot cavity antennas; general features of 2D LWAs

Arrays for wireless communications:
Characterization of the wireless channel.
Arrays and diversity.
Introduction to Multiple-Input/Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems.

Boundary integral equations and the Method of Moments (MoM):
MoM for 1D integral equations; basis and test functions.
MoM for thin wires.
Boundary integral representations of the electromagnetic field and boundary integral equations.
Mixed-Potential Integral Equation (MPIE) in free space.
MoM for MPIE: basis and test functions.
MPIE in layered media.
Sommerfeld integrals, asymptotic extractions, and spatial singularities.
Acceleration techniques for integral and series in electromagnetic problems.
MoM for MPIE: periodic structures (free space and layered media).

III (Numerical simulations with commercial electromagnetic software)

Electromagnetic CAD:
Ansys Designer and FEKO: introduction and general features.
Analysis of microstrip antennas: simple patch antenna, mutual coupling, and array configurations.
Analysis of Frequency Selective Surfaces. (FSSs)

Prerequisiti

Knowledge of basic notions of applied electromagnetics (fundamental electromagnetic equations, plane waves in free space, reflection and refraction of plane waves from planar boundaries, transmission-line formalism, guided-wave propagation, Green’s functions, radiation integrals)

Core Documentation

Teaching material:
• Slides of the lessons available on the Moodle area of the course

Reference Bibliography

Bibliography: • C. A. Balanis, Antenna theory, analysis and design. New York, NY: Wiley Interscience, 2005, 3a ed. • Y.T. Lo, S.W. Lee, Antenna Handbook. Antenna theory, Volume II, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1993 • D. R. Jackson, “Microstrip Antennas,” Ch. 7 of Antenna Engineering Handbook, J. L. Volakis, Editor, McGraw Hill, 2007. • D. R. Jackson, S. A. Long, J. T. Williams, and V. B. Davis, “Computer-Aided Design of Rectangular Microstrip Antennas,” Ch. 5 of Advances in Microstrip and Printed Antennas, • K. F. Lee and W. Chen, Eds., John Wiley, 1997 • D. Guha e Y. M. M. Antar, Eds., Microstrip and printed antennas: New trends, techniques and applications. Wiley, 2011. • R. E. Collin and F. J. Zucker, Antenna theory. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1969. • D. Tse and P. Viswanath, Fundamentals of Wireless Communication, Cambridge University Press, 2005. • K. F. Warnick, Numerical methods for engineering: An introduction using Matlab and computational electromagnetics. Raleigh, NC: SciTech Publishing Inc, 2011. • D. B. Davidson, Computational electromagnetics for RF and microwave engineering. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2011. • R. C. Booton, Computational methods for electromagnetics and microwaves. New York, NY: Wiley, 1992, 2a ed. • A. F. Peterson, S. L. Ray e R. Mittra, Computational methods for electromagnetics. New York: IEEE Press, 1997.

Type of delivery of the course

lectures, tutorials, seminars

Attendance

Non-mandatory attendance

Type of evaluation

-Two oral questions (max 15 points each) on the first and second parts of the program, respectively. The exam is passed if the overall grade is greater than or equal to 18/30. -There is one exemption test (written exam with one or more open questions) of the first part of the program (max 15 points). Exemption from the first part is obtained with a score equal to or greater than 9. The final exam, in the case of exemption from the first part, will consist of one oral question on the second part of the course (max 15 points). The exam is passed if the overall grade is greater than or equal to 18/30. For each part, the score will reflect the completeness and accuracy of the answer; understanding of the physical principles and mathematical models of the antennas and electromagnetic structures covered; rigour of reasoning and any mathematical derivations; the ability to discuss analysis and design methods, their assumptions, and their limits of validity; the ability to connect theoretical topics with applications and numerical exercises; and clarity of expression and appropriate use of technical terminology. Grades in the range 18–23/30 reflect knowledge of the fundamentals and an overall satisfactory understanding of the models and methods, despite some uncertainty and a limited ability to explore topics in depth. Grades in the range 24–27/30 reflect sound knowledge, correct interpretation of physical phenomena, and a good ability to discuss methods and their applications. Grades in the range 28–30/30 reflect comprehensive and integrated knowledge, methodological rigour, independent reasoning, and the ability to critically assess models and results, supported by clear and precise explanations.