525.738.81 - Advanced Antenna Systems

Expanded Course Description

Prerequisites 

The prerequisite for this class is the first Antenna Systems class: EN 525.618 or with my permission. Permission of your advisor without first obtaining my permission is not acceptable. 

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven with the homework and final contributions to the discussion questions due 4 days after the module ends unless modified by the instructor. You should regularly check the Announcements for any updates for the course schedule or other changes in the normal itinerary.

Course Topics

• Review of Electromagnetics
• Horn Antennas
• Reflector Antennas
• Separation of Variables and the internal fields of Microstrip Antennas
• Radiation from Microstrip antennas – formulation of integral equations
• Radiated fields of Microstrip antennas and review of complex variable theory
• Mapping the Integration Path to the W-plane and Saddle Point integration
• The Chu limit for electrically small antennas
• Solution of Pocklington’s equations using the method of moments
• Array theory with mutual coupling effects
• Floquet theory and antenna arrays

Course Goals

At the completion of this course, the student should have a much deeper appreciation of the advanced mathematical techniques that are used to evaluate antennas and antenna arrays. 

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Apply advanced electromagnetic techniques to model the behavior of antennas such as Horn, reflector, patch, dipoles and loops, as well as antenna arrays.
• Model the limitations of electrically small antennas as well as model wire antennas (i.e., dipole antennas) using the method of moments technique.
• Quantify antenna and antenna array performance in electrically noisy environments.
• Mitigate deleterious effects through the use of careful modeling.

Textbooks

Balanis, C. A. (2016). Antenna theory: Analysis and design (4th ed.) Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

ISBN-10: 1118642066 

ISBN-13: 978-1118642061 

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website at http://ep.jhu.edu/bookstore. 

Required Software

Students will need access to high-level mathematical software such as Matlab or Mathematica – both are available through https://my.jh.edu/myJH/. After logging in, click on the “my cloud” icon and search under apps.

Note, Citrix must first be installed before starting any of the applications available from this location. 

MATLAB 

(OR) You will need access to a recent version of MATLAB. The MATLAB Total Academic Headcount (TAH) license is now in effect. This license is provided at no cost to you. Send an email to software@jhu.edu to request your license file/code. Please indicate that you need a standalone file/code. You will need to provide your first and last name, as well as your Hopkins email address. You will receive an email from Mathworks with instructions to create a Mathworks account. The MATLAB software will be available for download from the Mathworks site. 

FEKO 

Students are required to model using the FEKO software. 

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–10 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 3–4 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 2–3 hours per week), and homework assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week). 

This course will consist of the following basic student requirements: 

Preparation and Participation (10% of Final Grade Calculation) 

You are responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for discussion. The majority of readings are from the course text. Additional reading may be assigned to supplement text readings. 

Post your initial response to the discussion questions by the weekend for that module week. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for module discussions (i.e., Timeliness). 

Part two of your grade for module discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with your classmates (i.e., Critical Thinking). Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; I want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive. 

I will monitor module discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted. In some instances, I will summarize the overall discussions and post the summary for the module. 

Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions. Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Timeliness (50%) 
2. Critical Thinking (50%) 

Importantly, the discussion questions close 11 days after the opening of the module. It is not possible to “backfill” discussion questions at the end of the semester. The questions must be addressed during the period for which the module is open. 

Assignments (30% of Final Grade Calculation) 

Assignments will include a mix of qualitative assignments (e.g. literature reviews, model summaries), quantitative problem sets, and case study updates. Include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier. Also include your name and a page number indicator (i.e., page x of y) on each page of your submissions. Each problem should have the problem statement, assumptions, computations, and conclusions/discussion delineated. All Figures and Tables should be captioned and labeled appropriately. 

All assignments are due according on Thursdays (11 Days after the module opened) unless otherwise specified by the instructor in an announcement. 

Late homework submissions will be reduced by 50% (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors). After two weeks, homework is no longer accepted and the student will receive a zero for that homework assignment. 

Typically, each homework assignment is work graded on 10 or more points per problem with multiple problems assigned per assignment. The homework is primarily graded on the ability of the student to show the logical progression of the thinking from the start to the end of the problem where (hopefully) the correct answer is obtained. Conceptional errors are graded more severely then minor math mistakes (e.g., dropping a minus sign.) 

Modeling Assignments (35% of Final Grade Calculation) 

Quantitative assignments are evaluated by the following grading elements: 

1. Each part of question is answered 
2. Assumptions are clearly stated 
3. Intermediate derivations and calculations are provided 
4. Answer is technically correct and is clearly indicated 

As with the homework assignments, there is a point total for each modeling assignment. 

Final Exam (25% of Final Grade Calculation) 

The final exam will be available in the last module. You will have one week to complete the exam and it will be due by midnight exactly one week from its release. 

The exam is evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Each part of question is answered 
2. Writing quality and technical accuracy 
3. Rationale for answer is provided 
4. Examples are included to illustrate rationale 

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Canvas course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. I will post grades one week after assignment due dates. 

Generally, I do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade. 

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. 

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course. 

Course Policies

As many students are working full time, I am aware that your job may require travel that may make it difficult to meet the due dates required by the module. If this is the case, please contact me beforehand if you need an adjustment for the assigned due dates for homework, forum discussion questions, or modeling assignments. 

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.