Electromagnetics and Wave Propagation - entry

Malaria testing has come a long way, with the advent of new technology, using electronics rather than blood samples to measure malaria's magnetic movement in the blood. This module brings such groundbreaking developments to life, with Exeter staff at the forefront of these advancements delivering the lectures.

The above example shows you one way in which electromagnetics can be applied usefully in the real world. A fundamental knowledge of electomagnetics is critical when pursuing a career in electrical engineering - if, for instance, you are designing an antenna. Beginning with the physical exploration of electromagnetics over approximately the last 200 years, you will study the origins of electric and magnetic fields, looking at the historical impact and application of electromagnetism. Furthermore, you will investigate electrostatics and the electric field as well as magnetic forces and magnetostatics, applying this knowledge to real world engineering problems; exploring theories, such as Maxwell's equations, you will develop essential problem-solving tools.


Meanwhile, studying communication systems, you will consider elements such as the transmission of mobile phone signals and how radio works, incorporating Hertz's first measurement of radio waves. Case studies will challenge you to examine electrical disturbances travelling in transmission lines and the aspects of antenna design by looking at electricity lines to design and measure, for example, what kind of strength and thickness is needed.

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the fundamental principles of electromagnetics, and to teach you how to apply theory to areas of technological importance, including field computation and communication systems. At the end of this module, you will understand the basic principles of electromagnetics, and have a solid foundation in tackling most electronic engineering problems.

This module covers Specific Learning Outcomes in Engineering, which apply to accredited programmes at Bachelors/MEng/Masters level. These contribute to the  educational requirements for CEng registration (as defined under the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence – UK-SPEC).


This module correlates to references U1, E1 - E3, P1, MU1 - MU3, ME1 - ME3, MP1 and MP2. These references are indices of the specific learning outcomes expected of Bachelors/MEng/Masters candidates set out in UK-SPEC, codified with reference to systems used by professional accrediting institutions. A full list of the standards can be found on the Engineering Council's website, at http://www.engc.org.uk

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 describe the physical origins of electric and magnetic fields, the relationships between charge, current and fields in terms of Gauss's law, Ampere's law and Faraday's law and field relationships in dielectric and magnetic materials;
2 explain the relationship with capacitance and inductance, the mathematical form of a 1-D travelling wave and the significance of the 3-D wave equation, the form of electrical disturbances travelling in transmission lines, and the important aspects of antenna design;
3 apply  knowledge about 1 and 2 to the solution of 'real-world' engineering problems.
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
4 use mathematical software (Matlab) to model (electromagnetic) phenomena and systems.
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge:
5 monitor your own progress through tutor-marked assignments (TMA) and self-assessment questions (SAQ);
 6 assess the effectiveness of your learning strategies, including time management, and modify appropriately;
 7 use a variety of information sources to understand and supplement lecture material.
 

- historical perspective;

- impact and application of electromagnetism;

- Coulomb's Law;

- electric field intensity; scalar potential;

- Gauss' Law;

- fields in conductors and dielectrics;

- polarisation and electric flux density;

- capacitance and capacitors;

- applications of electrostatics;

- magnetic charges and poles;

- magnetic flux density and field intensity;

- magnetic materials;

- magnetic fields from current carrying wire;

- fields from dipole and solenoid;

- Ampere's Law;

- Lorentz force;

- case study: field computation applied to scanning magnetic, electric and capacitance microscopy;

- electromagnetic induction and Faraday's Law;

- inductance and inductors;

- Maxwell's equations;

- travelling waves;

- the wave equation in one and three dimensions;

- plane waves and spherical waves;

- TE, TM and TEM waves;

- wave propagation in twisted-wire pairs;

- co-axial cables and waveguides;

- standing waves;

- optical waveguides;

- antennas: the Hertzian dipole;

- directivity, gain and effective area;

- halfwave, folded and multi-element dipole.

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.



If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 40% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Reading list for this module: