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Waves in electrical engineering. Static electric and magnetic fields. Transmission lines: equivalent circuit, wave propagation, reflections and matching. Plane waves: time varying fields and Maxwell’s Equations. Electrical engineering materials: conductors, insulators and semiconductors.
This course aims to equip you with the ability to analyse static electric and magnetic field distributions for important electrical engineering situations (coaxial cables, transmission lines etc.), and to relate these to equivalent circuit parameters (resistance, capacitance, inductance).You will also gain an understanding of wave propagation and reflections on coaxial cables and other transmission lines. The propagation of electromagnetic plane waves will also be studied.The course also aims to equip you with an understanding of the electrical properties of materials, including: conduction mechanisms, dielectric properties and breakdown phenomena, basic crystallography, bonding and band structure in conductors, insulators and semiconductors; doping, impurities, electrons and holes in semiconductors; basic diode operation principles.• Electrostatics and Magnetostatics: Electric and Magnetic Fields; Gauss’ Law, Coulomb’s Law, Ampere’s Law; Capacitance and inductance; Coaxial cables. • Transmission Lines: Wave equations; Characteristic impedance; Reflections and impedance matching; Lossy and lossless transmission lines; Standing waves and Voltage Standing WaveRatio; Smith Charts; Examples: coaxial cables, microstrip lines. • Plane Waves and Time Varying Fields: Maxwell’s Equations in free space and source-free media; Conduction Current; Charge Dissipation; Wave equation and plane-wave solutions; Complex permittivity; Intrinsic impedance; Skin depth. • Physical & Electronic Structure of Materials: Isolated atoms; Atomic bonding; Crystallography; Crystalline defects; Thermal expansion. • Conductors: Conduction mechanisms; Temperature dependence; Skin effect; Thin metal films; Interconnects; Thermal conductivity; Thermal noise. • Dielectrics/Insulators: Polarisation; Relative permittivity; Dielectric strength; Insulator breakdown; Capacitor dielectric materials. • Semiconductors: Intrinsic semiconductors; Extrinsic semiconductors; Temperature dependence; Recombination; Majority & minority carriers; Optical absorption; Basic diode operation principles; Basic transistor operation principles.
At the conclusion of this course you should be able to:LO1: Analyse static electric and magnetic fields for electrical engineering applications (WA1, WA2)LO2: Apply mathematics to describe, analyse and interpret the propagation of electromagnetic plane waves in different media (WA1, WA2)LO3: Identify how atomic structure relates to the electrical properties of materials, and how atomic structure can be tailored to suit different applications. (WA1, WA2)LO4: Gather and evaluate experimental data, interpret outcomes, draw reasoned conclusions, and communicate outcomes using written reports. (WA1, WA2, WA4, WA9, WA10)LO5: Design, build and test a sensor based on the material properties of electronic components in a team environment, and report results as a device datasheet (WA3, WA4, WA9, WA10)
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
PHYS102, MATH103 or EMTH119; or Approval of the Dean of Engineering and Forestry.
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Richard Clare
Ciaran Moore
Contact HoursLectures: 36Tutorials: 12Workshops: 0Laboratories: 9 Independent studyReview of lectures: 36Test and exam preparation: 20Assignments: 25Tutorial (homework) preparation: 12 Total 150
Domestic fee $1,059.00
International fee $6,000.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Electrical and Computer Engineering .