- Docente: Diego Masotti
- Credits: 6
- SSD: ING-INF/02
- Language: English
- Moduli: Diego Masotti (Modulo 1) Diego Masotti (Modulo 2)
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Telecommunications Engineering (cod. 9205)
Learning outcomes
The role of antenna as strategic interface between transmitter/receiver and channel. Design rules for the principal families of antennas (wire, aperture, and microstrip antennas), and for their combination in array architectures. Exploitation of antennas in modern energy-aware applications, such as radio-frequency energy harvesting or wireless power transfer systems.
Course contents
Lecture items
1. Analysis approach
Recall of Maxwell’s equations: solution in a normal homogeneous medium
The non-homogeneous medium problem: scattering problem and interpretation of the antenna as a scatterer
2. Properties of the antenna operated in the transmitting and in the receiving mode
Antenna current distribution; radiated field; antenna reflection coefficient, antenna operating band
In far-field conditions: antenna polarization; radiated power; radiation intensity; radiation patterns; directivity; radiation efficiency and antenna (power) gain; antenna effective area
Impedance and polarization mismatch, received power
Friis transmission equation: basic analysis and design of a radio link
3. Electromagnetic dipoles and loop antennas
Closed-form and numerical analysis of dipoles
Loop antennas as magnetic dipoles
Basic analysis of NFC systems
Comparison between NFC and far-field systems
4. Array theory
Array factor and the principle of pattern multiplication
One- and two-dimensional arrays
Shielded arrays
Electronic scanning and phased arrays
Smart antennas
Parasitic elements
Arrays for terrestrial TV reception: Yagi-Uda, log-periodic, and bow-tie
5. Basic treatment of plane aperture antennas
Far field radiated by a plane aperture with arbitrary aperture field
TEM apertures
Radiation properties of uniform TEM apertures of circular shape
Parabolic reflectors
Applications: direct broadcast satellite receivers, radio telescopes
6. Microstrip patch antennas
Patch description as an array of magnetic apertures
Patch feeding techniques
Reduced-size PIFA antennas for 2G/3G mobile terminals
Multiresonant PIFA’s
Antenna broadbanding by the resonance envelope technique
Multiband antennas for 4G/LTE terminals
Self-scaling antennas for ultra-wideband applications
7. Rectifying antennas
Definition of rectifying antennas (or RECTENNAS) for both RF energy harvesting and Wireless Power Transfer applications
Choices in terms of i) rectenna architecture, ii) antenna.
8. Laboratory
Electromagnetic design of cell-phone multi band antenna
Realization of few samples of single band patches and their characterization from both near-and far-field point of view
Readings/Bibliography
- Lectures slides
- "Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design", Constantine A. Balanis
- "Lezioni di Sistemi d'Antenna", Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, V. Rizzoli, D. Masotti
Teaching methods
- Lectures with slide
- Application examples with realistic antennas both commercial and designed by the lecturer
- Laboratory experiences with a commercial electromagnetic tool for antenna design
Assessment methods
Oral exam on both theoretical and laboratory parts
Teaching tools
During the theoretical study of the different classes of antenna, the lecturer will bring in class examples of antennas developed during his recent research activity
Links to further information
Office hours
See the website of Diego Masotti