Antenna Course

Lesson 1 • Wave Propagation in Free Space

Covers plane wave propagation, phase velocity, and wavelength-frequency relationships. Connects EM theory to practical antenna operating conditions.

Lesson 2 • Polarisation and Wave Impedance

Examines linear, circular, and elliptical polarisation and intrinsic impedance of media. Prepares students for polarisation matching in antenna design.

Lesson 3 • Maxwell's Equations and Wave Theory

Introduces the four Maxwell equations and their physical meaning. Establishes the mathematical basis for all antenna analysis in subsequent chapters.

Lesson 1 • Radiation Pattern Fundamentals

Explains 3D and 2D radiation patterns, main lobe, side lobes, and nulls. Provides the vocabulary needed to compare antenna designs throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Directivity, Gain, and Efficiency

Distinguishes directivity from gain and links both to radiation efficiency. Students compute gain from pattern data and efficiency from loss resistance.

Lesson 3 • Noise Temperature and Sensitivity

Defines antenna noise temperature and its impact on receiver sensitivity. Bridges antenna metrics to system-level performance requirements.

Lesson 4 • Effective Aperture and Link Budget

Introduces effective aperture, Friis transmission equation, and system link budget. Students calculate received power for a given transmit-receive antenna pair.

Lesson 1 • Monopole Antennas and Ground Planes

Applies image theory to derive monopole behaviour from dipole results. Students design quarter-wave monopoles with finite and infinite ground planes.

Lesson 2 • Loop Antennas

Covers small loop and large loop antenna theory, duality with dipoles, and ferrite loading. Students compare loop and dipole performance for low-frequency use.

Lesson 3 • Short Dipole and Hertzian Dipole

Derives fields and radiation resistance of the infinitesimal and short dipole. Establishes the elemental building block for all wire antenna analysis.

Lesson 4 • Antenna Arrays of Wire Elements

Introduces two-element arrays and array factor concept using wire antenna elements. Prepares students for the full array theory chapter that follows.

Lesson 1 • Linear Array Factor Mathematics

Derives the general N-element linear array factor with uniform and non-uniform spacing. Students compute patterns for arbitrary excitation amplitudes and phases.

Lesson 2 • Beam Steering and Phase Shifters

Covers electronic beam steering via phase shifters and time-delay units. Students calculate steering angles and quantisation lobe levels for phased arrays.

Lesson 3 • Planar Arrays and 2D Beam Steering

Extends linear array theory to rectangular and circular planar arrays. Students compute 2D patterns and steering vectors for planar phased arrays.

Lesson 4 • Mutual Coupling in Arrays

Quantifies mutual coupling effects on element impedance and pattern distortion. Students apply active element patterns and impedance matrices to correct designs.

Lesson 1 • Pyramidal and Conical Horn Antennas

Analyses E-plane, H-plane, and pyramidal horn geometry and performance. Students design a pyramidal horn to achieve a specified gain target.

Lesson 2 • Aperture Theory and Field Equivalence

Introduces the field equivalence principle and aperture integration for far-field calculation. Provides the analytical framework for all aperture antenna types.

Lesson 3 • Slot Antennas and Babinet's Principle

Applies Babinet's principle to derive slot antenna behaviour from its complementary dipole. Students design resonant slots in waveguide and ground plane structures.

Lesson 4 • Rectangular and Circular Apertures

Derives patterns for uniform and tapered rectangular and circular apertures. Students calculate first null beamwidth and sidelobe levels for each case.

Lesson 1 • Lens Antennas and Dielectric Designs

Introduces dielectric and zoned lens antennas as alternatives to reflectors. Students compare lens and reflector performance for millimetre-wave applications.

Lesson 2 • Parabolic Reflector Geometry and Optics

Derives the geometric optics basis for parabolic reflector collimation. Students apply focal length and f/D ratio to reflector design specifications.

Lesson 3 • Feed Systems for Reflectors

Covers prime focus, Cassegrain, and Gregorian feed configurations and their tradeoffs. Students select feed type based on gain, spillover, and blockage requirements.

Lesson 4 • Surface Tolerance and Gain Degradation

Applies the Ruze formula to predict gain loss from surface rms error. Students specify surface tolerance requirements for a target frequency and gain.

Lesson 1 • Microstrip Patch Antenna Theory

Introduces transmission line and cavity models for rectangular patch analysis. Students derive resonant frequency and radiation resistance from substrate parameters.

Lesson 2 • Printed Antenna Arrays and Integration

Extends single patch design to corporate-fed and series-fed printed arrays. Students design a four-element patch array with specified gain and sidelobe level.

Lesson 3 • Circular Polarisation in Patch Antennas

Explains single-feed and dual-feed methods for generating circular polarisation. Students design a circularly polarised patch with specified axial ratio bandwidth.

Lesson 4 • Patch Feed Techniques

Compares coaxial probe, microstrip line, aperture-coupled, and proximity-coupled feeds. Students select feed method based on bandwidth, fabrication, and isolation needs.

Lesson 1 • Compact Antenna Test Ranges

Explains CATR reflector design, quiet zone quality, and edge treatment. Students evaluate CATR suitability for electrically large antenna measurement.

Lesson 2 • Impedance and Efficiency Measurement

Uses vector network analyser techniques and Wheeler cap method for impedance and efficiency. Students measure return loss, impedance, and radiation efficiency of a test antenna.

Lesson 3 • Far-Field Range Design and Setup

Covers far-field distance criteria, range geometry, and absorber placement. Students design a far-field range layout for a given antenna size and frequency.

Lesson 4 • Gain and Pattern Measurement Methods

Covers gain transfer, absolute gain, and three-antenna methods for accurate gain measurement. Students apply each method and estimate measurement uncertainty.