Course detail

Design of Antennas and Radio Links

FEKT-FYOeAcad. year: 2013/2014

The subject is focused on the explanation of basic principles of the antenna theory and radio wave propagation, and their exploitation for antenna and radio links design. Students will practice their knowledge on the design, manufacturing and measuring of a given antenna, and on the design of selected radio links in a real environment.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

7

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Jaroslav Láčík, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Radio Electronics (UREL)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The graduate is able to (1) design an antenna according to input requirements, (2) manufacture and experimentally verify parameters of the designed antenna, (3) analyze a radio link, (4) design selected kinds of radio links, (5) create empirical model of propagation.

Prerequisites

Fundamentals of electromagnetics (elementar radiation sources, propagation of plane and spherical wave, propagation of a wave along transmission line, Smith chart) are the pre-requisites.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Techning methods include lectures, computer laboratories and practical laboratories. Course is taking advantage of e-learning (Moodle) system. Students have to write two projects/assignments during the course.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

A test written during semester (10 points), laboratory exercises (15 points), two individual projects (30 points), final exam (18 points written part + 27 points oral part=totally 45 points).

Course curriculum

1. Antenna basics, antenna analysis methods.
2. Wire antennas.
3. Antenna arrays.
4. Microstrip antennas.
5. Horn antennas, slot antennas.
6. Reflector antennas and wideband antennas.
7. Antennas for special applications, antenna auxiliary circuits.
8. Materials for antenna technique, structure and fabrication of antennas, antenna measurement.
9. Radiocommunication services, exploitation of radio spectrum, conditions of radiocommunication, basic concept of radio links design.
10. Propagation of radio waves close to Earth surface, space and surface wave.
11. Mobile radio communication, propagation models for macrocells, microcells, and picocells, indoor radiowave propagation.
12. Influence of atmosphere on radio links
13. Microwave links.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The subject is aimed to present basic antenna types, their applications and technical design, and further principles of radio links design.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Evaluation of activities is specified by a regulation, which is issued by the lecturer responsible for the course annually.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

BALANIS, C., A., Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design, 3rd Edition, John Wiley and Sons, New Jersey, 2005. (EN)
BARCLAY, L. Propagation of Radiowaves 2nd Edition. IEE,United Kingdom, 2003. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme EEKR-MN Master's

    branch MN-EST , 1. year of study, winter semester, optional specialized

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

39 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jaroslav Láčík, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Current distribution on linear antennas, aperture illumination
Antenna array pattern, its optimization and synthesis
Impedance of linear antennas and of antenna arrays. Losses and efficiency of antenna
Radio waves reception, receiving antennas, polarization, antenna parameters
Propagation along the earth surface. Surface- and space-waves, obstacle losses
Ionospheric propagation, design of ionospheric link and operational frequency
Tropospheric scattering communication,atmospheric losses, properties of microwave links
Calculation of field strength and reliability, conditions of radio communication
Broadcast antennas for LW and MW, short-wave antennas
Antennas for UHF band, matching and balancing
Microwave antennas. Extremely wideband antennas
Signal processing antennas, adaptive antennas
Electronic scanning, near-field measurement

Exercise in computer lab

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jaroslav Láčík, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Antenna array pattern
Input impedance of antennas and of antenna arrays
Losses and efficiency of antenna. Antenna parameters
Design of antenna array, matching
Propagation of surface- and space-wave, obstacle losses
Sky-wave propagation, sky-wave link design
Radio wave reception, radio link design
Discussion of individual project results

Laboratory exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jaroslav Láčík, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Radiation pattern and input impedance of UHF antennas
Field strength of broadcast and TV transmitters
Properties of signal with fading
Current distribution on linear antennas
Properties of ferrite antenna
Splitters and balancing circuits
Radiation pattern and impedance of microwave antennas
Polarization properties of antenna