Electromagnetic Fields & Waves

What you'll learn

• Use vector algebra, the three standard coordinate systems, line, surface and volume integrals, and the gradient, divergence and curl with the divergence and Stokes theorems to describe and check electromagnetic fields.
• Apply Coulomb's law, superposition, Gauss's law and the electric potential to find the fields of charge distributions, and explain field concentration and dielectric breakdown in electrostatic discharge.
• Analyze conductors and dielectrics with conductivity, permittivity, loss tangent and boundary conditions, and compute capacitance analytically, by images and by solving Laplace's equation numerically.
• Use the Biot–Savart and Ampère laws to find magnetic fields of currents, describe magnetic materials, and estimate self- and mutual inductance of loops, cables and lead-ins.
• Apply Faraday's and Lenz's laws to transformers, eddy currents and inductive vehicle detection, and estimate magnetically coupled interference from fast currents.
• State Maxwell's equations in differential, integral and phasor form, explain the displacement current, classify materials by σ/(ωε), judge when lumped circuit models apply and derive the wave equation.
• Analyze uniform plane waves in lossless and lossy media, including intrinsic impedance, skin depth, surface resistance, power flow by the Poynting vector, polarization and exposure reference levels.
• Calculate reflection and transmission of waves at interfaces and through layers for normal and oblique incidence, including the Brewster angle, total internal reflection and enclosure shielding.
• Model transmission lines with distributed parameters, compute characteristic impedance, velocity and loss of real cables, and evaluate reflection, VSWR, return loss and mismatch loss.
• Calculate input impedance along terminated lines, design quarter-wave and stub matches, read impedances on a Smith chart and locate faults by time-domain reflectometry.
• Explain waveguide modes, cut-off and cavity resonance, design microstrip lines on printed-circuit boards, and apply return-path, crosstalk and termination rules for signal integrity.
• Characterize dipole and monopole antennas by radiation resistance, directivity, gain and effective aperture, apply the Friis equation, and integrate antenna, feeder, shielding and compliance decisions in a product design.