Module 1 — Foundations#
Foundations
Fields, phasors, and the transmission line: the first place a circuit stops behaving like one.
Lessons 1–16 · Intro to Electromagnetics · Maj Ellis · Dr. Neil Rogers
Where This Module Goes
What electromagnetics is for, the language of fields and phasors, and the transmission line: wave propagation, reflection, impedance matching, the Smith chart, and transients, measured on a network analyzer in the first lab.
Chapter 1: Introduction
- I can articulate what I will learn and how I will be assessed in this course.
- I can articulate practical applications of electromagnetics.
Chapter 2: Fields
- I can recall the definition of scalar fields, vector fields, phasors, and Euler's identity.
- I can explain the basic terms and quantities used to describe electromagnetic fields.
Chapter 3: Transmission Lines (3.1-3.4)
- I can describe the origin of the transmission line equation, understand the method of developing a solution, and interpret the solution.
- I can explain the physical meaning of and calculate the following quantities: propagation constant, phase constant, attenuation constant, characteristic impedance, VSWR, reflection coefficient, and transmission coefficient.
- I can use the transmission line equation to calculate the voltage/current at an arbitrary point on a specified transmission line.
- I can use the transmission line equation to match a load to a source using a length of transmission line.
Chapter 3: Transmission Lines (3.5-3.8)
- I can identify the various quantities represented on the Smith Chart.
- I can use a Smith Chart to design a matching network for a given source and load, using series components, parallel components, shorted stubs, and open stubs.
- I can plot the transient response of a load connected to a source through a transmission line.
- I can measure the reflection coefficient across a range of frequencies and interpret the measurement using a network analyzer.
Lessons 1-3
Course Introduction
What you will learn, how you will be assessed, and where electromagnetics shows up in the systems you will operate. Objectives 1.1, 1.2.
Lesson · L2Fields, Parameters, and Field Quantities
Scalar and vector fields, phasors and Euler's identity, and the quantities that describe electric and magnetic fields. Objectives 2.1, 2.2.
Lesson · L3The Lumped-Element Model
When a pair of wires stops being a short circuit, and how to model a line as a cascade of tiny circuits. Objective 3.1.
Lessons 4-6
The Wave Equation
The telegrapher's equations in phasor form, the wave equation for voltage and current, and its traveling-wave solution. Objective 3.1.
Lesson · L5Characteristic Impedance and Wave Propagation
Propagation, phase, and attenuation constants, and the characteristic impedance of a line. Objective 3.2.
Lesson · L6Coaxial Lines, Reflection Coefficient, and VSWR
The coaxial line, the reflection coefficient at a load, standing waves, and VSWR. Objectives 3.2, 3.3.
Lessons 7-9
Terminated Transmission Lines
Input impedance of a terminated line, and the special cases: shorted, open, and quarter-wave lines. Objectives 3.3, 3.4.
Lesson · L8Impedance Matching I
Matching a load to a source with a length of transmission line. Objective 3.4.
Lesson · L9Impedance Matching II
Matching with a parallel component or a shorted or open stub. Objective 3.4.
Lessons 10-12
Lessons 13-15
Smith Charts IV
Matching with series components, parallel components, and stubs. Objective 3.6.
Lesson · L14Transients
A step launched down a line: bounce diagrams and the transient response at the load. Objective 3.7.
Lab · L15Reflection and Transmission Coefficient Lab I
Calibrate a vector network analyzer, then measure known loads. Objective 3.8.