INTRODUCTION TO

MICROWAVE ENGINEERING
 WEEK 1
• CLASS 1: Introduction to Microwave Engineering,
Applications of Microwave Engineering, Maxwelll’s
Equations

• CLASS 2: The wave equation and basic plane wave

solutions, Poynting’s Theorem and Wave Power
 WEEK 2

• CLASS 3: Plane wave reflection from a media

interface, Refraction, Diffraction

• CLASS 4: S-Parameters, Propagation in good

conductors: skin effect
INTRODUCTION
What is “Micro”wave?

3 x 10^8 Hz
(lambda = 1m)

3 x 10^11 Hz
(lambda = 1mm)
 SO WHAT?
The complication of small
wavelengths are many….

Because the size of the device is ~ lambda, the phases

of voltage and current over the device changes
APPLICATIONS
OF
MICROWAVE
ENGINEERING
Why Study Microwave?
Our love for small (and thin!) wireless devices

If we operate at smaller lambda

(err…higher frequencies), our
devices become BIG
(electronically!)
Our love for juice!

The 5G standard
(operating at 28 GHz) will be 100
times faster than 4G,
with data rate of ~ 10GB/sec!
Our love for direct broadcast!

Microwave signal travel by LOS,

enabling high capacity satellite
links! Thus live footballs!
 REVISITING OUR ELDERS
“IF I HAVE SEEN FURTHER, IT IS BY STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS”
- ISAAC NEWTON

! THE MAXWELL’S EQUATIONS !

(Macroscopic electric and magnetic phenomena are described by these equations)
 Differential Form of
Maxwell’s Equation

Gauss’s Law

Gauss’s Magnetism
Law

Faraday’s Law

Ampere’s Law
DIVERGENT
VS.
CURL
 #1 Gauss’s Law
Electric charge acts as sources or sinks for Electric Fields

Electric Flux Electric Charge

Density Density

{ {
 #2 Gauss’s Magnetism Law
Magnetic monopoles do not exist!

Magnetic Flux
Density {
 #3 Faraday’ Law
A magnetic field changing in time gives rise to an E-field circulating around it

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/faradays-law/latest/faradays-law_en.html
 #4 Ampere’s Law

In Wires In Wireless

A flowing electric current (J) gives rise A time-changing Electric Flux Density
to a Magnetic Field that circles the (D) gives rise to a Magnetic Field that
current circles the D field
 Conclusion of Maxwell’s Equation

DC {
{ AC

A changing magnetic field gives rise to a changing electric field…and a changing

electric field gives rise to a changing magnetic field - which itself will produce a
changing electric field which will give rise to .....
?!??!!
Electromagnetic Propagation
THE WAVE (MOVING, OR, PROPAGATING!)
• The wave equation and basic plane wave solutions, Poynting’s
Theorem and Wave Power
 THE WAVE EQUATION
In general, the wave equation is a mathematical relationship between the
speed (v) of a wave and its wavelength (λ) and frequency (f).

v = λf

HW1:
Derive this!

From the two equation, we see that the EM wave (E and H) is varying in
space (x, y, z) and also time (t)
 THE PLANE WAVE
A special case when E and H is not varying in x and y direction, forming
only a “plane” moving upwards/downwards along z-axis

E0 x

E0 z
(-kz)

Equation (1) - Board

 What happens to H?
By solving the wave equation for an x directed E-field (as was derived
on the board) travelling in the z-direction, we find that it is always
ACCOMPANIED BY A y-DIRECTED H-FIELD

E0 x

E0 z
(-kz)

Equation (2) - Board

 If both E and H is travelling in the z-direction
perpendicular to each other (TEM Wave),
WHAT DOES IT’S PROPAGATION REPRESENT?

TEM WAVE
ENERGY
Poynting
Vector, P
P=EXH
E0 x

E0 z
(-kz)
• Example Question (on board)
PROPAGATION IN LOSSY MEDIUM
• CLASS 3: Plane wave reflection from a media interface,
Refraction, Diffraction
 MAIN ISSUE
The wave equation remains same but the
“wave number/propagation constant” is COMPLEX

We’re introduced to a new term that

symbolises loss. In a lossless media (i.e, free-space),
sigma =0
WAVE EQUATION WITH COMPLEX ‘K’

Equation (3) - Board

The general effect of a complex “k” is a travelling wave that

changes its amplitude with distance
 REGARDLESS OF PROPAGATION
(IN FREE SPACE/ A MEDIUM)…

What is the speed of the electromagnetic wave?

Equation (4) - Board

PLANE WAVE REFLECTION FROM A MEDIA
INTERFACE

Free-Space

Derivation on the Board

 S-PARAMETERS…
OR, “scattering” parameters are measures of reflection and transmission of voltage
waves through a two-port electrical network.
 S-parameters come in a matrix, with the number of rows and columns equal
to the number of ports

} REFLECTED

TRANSMITTED
{
THE END CH 1