Fields and Transmission Lines

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

431-201 Engineering Analysis A (prior to 2001, 421-204 Engineering Analysis A) or equivalent, 431-202 Engineering Analysis B (prior to 2001, 421-205 Engineering Analysis B) or equivalent and 640-142 Physics 1B or equivalent.

On completion of this subject, students will be able to analyse and compute static and time varying EM fields, and design a variety of electrical transmission line networks in the frequency domain using a combination of distributed and lumped circuit elements.

Topics include: static electric and magnetic fields in free and material space; time-varying electromagnetic (EM) fields; Maxwell's equations; plane wave propagation of EM fields: transmission lines; transmission line parameters and characteristics; introduction to distributed circuits; matching techniques; Smith Chart; scattering parameters; introduction to microstrip and stripline; introduction to waveguides and antennas.

On completing this subject the student should be able to:

• Model electromagnetic fields for static and time-varying cases from the underlying physical principles;
• Apply techniques for the analysis and design electrical transmission line networks;
• Use software tools to simulate electromagnetic fields.

• One 3-hour end of semester examination (70%),
• Assignments (30%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
• In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directedlearning
• Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large