The University of Southampton
×
Electronics and Computer Science➞Undergraduate

ELEC2219 Electromagnetism for EEE

Module Overview

This module introduces and develops the knowledge in fundamental electromagnetics for second year Electrical and Electronic Engineering students. The course presents the basic concepts of electromagnetic theory from a physical and application point of view. The vector algebra used in electromagnetic theory is introduced in the electromagnetic field context. The course uses numerical methods to solve and visualise electromagnetic fields for simple problems so that students gain a better understanding of the electromagnetic field theory which is core of any electrical and electronic engineering degree.

The students should have covered in their first year Mathematics for Electronic and Electrical Engineering (MATH 1055) and Electric Materials and Fields course (ELEC 1206). Although these two courses are not pre-requisites, students will cope better with the material of this course if MATH 1055 and ELEC 1206 were already covered in their first year.

Aims & Objectives

Aims

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • Basic concepts of electromagnetic theory
  • Vector algebra in the electromagnetic field context
  • Properties of static and time-varying electromagnetic fields
  • Physical meaning of Maxwell's equations
  • Mathematical description of fundamental laws of electromagnetism
  • Electric and magnetic properties of matter
  • Principles of electromagnetic radiation
  • Fundamentals of modelling and simulation techniques applied to electromagnetics
  • Principles of finite difference and finite element formulations
  • Advantages and limitations of various field modelling techniques

Subject Specific Intellectual

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:

  • Appreciate the role of computational electromagnetics in engineering
  • Identify different types of equations governing electromagnetic processes
  • Derive equations describing electromagnetic phenomena
  • Formulate fundamental laws of electromagnetism
  • Solve differential equations using separation of variables
  • Analyse simple electromagnetic systems
  • Appreciate the complexity of CAD systems for electromagnetic design
  • Distinguish between various stages associated with CAD
  • Design models suitable to analyse performance of electromagnetic devices
  • Relate field displays to fundamental concepts of electromagnetics

Transferable and Generic

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:

  • Write programs using C language and Matlab scripts
  • Use electromagnetic CAD packages
  • Write technical reports
  • Work in a small team to conduct an experiment

Subject Specific Practical

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate electromagnetic theory applied to simple practical situations
  • Explain the meaning and consequences of field theory
  • Apply Maxwell's equations to problems involving simple configurations
  • Interpret electromagnetic solutions
  • Explain the operation of simple electromagnetic devices
  • Apply mathematical methods and vector algebra to practical problems
  • Be familiar with running commercial finite element software for electromagnetics
  • Set up, solve and interrogate solutions to problems using FE software

Syllabus

  1. Approximate methods of field solution - Geometrical properties of fields; method of 'tubes and slices'.
  2. Flow of steady current - Potential gradient; current density; geometrical properties of fields; divergence; nabla operator; Laplace's equation.
  3. Electrostatics - The electric field vector; scalar electric potential; Gauss's theorem and divergence; conservative fields; Laplace and Poisson equations; electric dipole, line charge, surface charge; solution of Laplace's equation by separation of variables; polarisation; dielectrics, electric boundary conditions.
  4. Magnetostatics  - Non-conservative fields, Ampere's law and curl; magnetic vector potential; magnetization and magnetic boundary conditions
  5. Electromagnetic induction - Faraday's law; induced and conservative components of the electric field, emf and potential difference.
  6. Maxwell's equations  - Displacement current; Maxwell's and constituent equations; the Lorentz guage; wave equation.
  7. Time-varying fields in conductors - Diffusion and Helmholtz equations; skin depth, surface impedance; eddy currents in slabs, plates andcylindrical conductors.
  8. Electromagnetic radiation - Current element; radiation resistance; plane waves; linear antenna; waveguides; reflection and refraction of light; total internal reflection in optical waveguides, and fibers.
  9. Principles of electromechanical energy conversion - Generalised variables for electromechanical systems; Hamilton’s principle and Lagrangian state function; conservative and non-conservative systems; examples.
  10. Computational aspects of approximate methods of field solution - The method of tubes and slices.
  11. Review of field equations - Classification of fields: Laplace's, Poisson's, Helmholtz, diffusion, wave equations; Vector and scalar formulations.
  12. Finite difference method - Five-point scheme, SOR; example; Diffusion and wave equations, explicit formulation, Crank-Nicholson implicit scheme, a weighted average approximation, alternating-direction implicit method; Convergence and stability; handling of boundary conditions; Alternative formulation of the finite-difference method.
  13. Finite element method - Variational formulation, first-order triangular elements, discretisation and matrix assembly; the art of sparse matrices; alternative approximate formulations (including Galerkin).

Learning & Teaching

Learning & teaching methods

ActivityDescriptionHours
Lecture36
Tutorial6
Specialist Lab9

Assessment

Assessment methods

MethodHoursPercentage contribution
Eddy current screening-5%
Magnetostatic screening – properties of magnetic materials (magnetic permeability)-5%
Radiation experiment – dipole and monopole radiation, differential transmission line, reflectors, directivity and radiation pattern-5%
TAS+FD+FE-17.5%
FE using Magnet-17.5%
Exam2 hours hours50%

Referral Method: By examination, with the original coursework mark being carried forward

Share this module FacebookTwitterWeibo