48
Electromagnetic Fields
REGGIO DI CALABRIA
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course provides the theoretical and practical foundations for understanding, analyzing, and applying electromagnetic diagnostic and imaging techniques. Students will acquire knowledge of the underlying physical principles, numerical methods, and reconstruction algorithms, while developing skills in the use of simulation software and the processing of real data for biomedical, industrial, and security applications.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of electromagnetics, mathematical analysis, and signals and systems. Preliminary familiarity with numerical methods and with the fundamentals of antennas and electromagnetic wave propagation.
Teaching Methods
Lectures: presentation and guided discussion of the theoretical contents of the course, encouraging active student participation and fostering the development of skills in understanding, synthesis, and critical elaboration of scientific concepts.
Computer-based exercises: practical activities involving simulation and data analysis using dedicated software tools, aimed at developing problem-solving skills, the use of numerical tools, and the practical application of theoretical knowledge.
Laboratory exercises: experimental and simulation activities, also carried out in small groups, aimed at developing collaboration skills, operational autonomy, and the critical interpretation of results.
Assessment Methods
The examination is oral and requires the preparation of a short thesis, agreed upon with the instructor, focusing on one or more topics covered during the course, such as electromagnetic diagnostic and imaging techniques, numerical methods for modeling and simulation, inverse problems, and applications in the biomedical, industrial, or security fields.
The oral examination consists of the discussion of the thesis and additional questions on the course topics, with the aim of assessing the student’s ability to:
- understand and apply the theoretical and methodological contents of the course;
- analyze and interpret the results of simulations and reconstruction procedures;
- communicate the acquired knowledge using appropriate scientific language;
- clearly and rigorously present the theoretical and applied contents of the course.
Each question is assigned a score ranging from 18 to 30. The final grade corresponds to the arithmetic mean of the scores obtained in the different questions. It is possible that one of the answers may be required in written form during the oral examination, limited to the discussion of methodological or numerical aspects.
Evaluation criteria
30 – 30 with honours: Complete, in-depth, and critical knowledge of the course topics, with particular reference to electromagnetic diagnostic and imaging techniques, numerical methods, and inverse problems; excellent command of scientific language; original and in-depth interpretative ability; full autonomy in applying the acquired knowledge to the analysis and discussion of case studies and simulation results.
28 – 29: Complete and in-depth knowledge of the topics covered; excellent command of scientific language; effective interpretative ability; good autonomy in applying the acquired knowledge to the analysis of the problems and applications presented.
25 – 27: Good knowledge of the course topics; good command of scientific language; correct interpretative ability; ability to adequately apply most of the acquired knowledge.
22 – 24: Overall adequate knowledge of the topics, but with some inaccuracies or limited mastery of certain contents; satisfactory command of scientific language; correct but not always in-depth interpretative ability; ability to apply the acquired knowledge with partial autonomy.
18 – 21: Basic knowledge of the main course topics; essential understanding of scientific language; sufficient interpretative ability; ability to apply the fundamental concepts acquired.
Fail: Serious gaps in the knowledge and understanding of the topics covered during the course and inability to apply the basic knowledge acquired.
Texts
Giorgio Franceschetti, “Campi Elettromagnetici”, Bollati Boringhieri, 1983.
Constantine A. Balanis, “Advanced Engineering Electromagnetics”, Wiley & Sons.
Richard E. Blahut, “Theory of Remote Image Formation”, Cambridge University Press.
Francesca Vipiana and Lorenzo Crocco, "Electromagnetic Imaging for a Novel Generation of Medical Devices." Cham, Switzerland: Springer (2023).
Matteo Pastorino and Andrea Randazzo, "Microwave imaging methods and applications." Artech House, 2018.
Contents
The course aims to provide advanced theoretical, methodological, and applied training in the field of electromagnetic diagnostics and imaging. The course introduces the physical and mathematical principles underlying the main imaging techniques, numerical methods for the modeling and simulation of electromagnetic phenomena, and inverse techniques for the reconstruction of parameters of interest. Particular attention is devoted to biomedical, industrial, and security applications, as well as to the use of advanced software tools for simulation, data processing, and performance optimization of imaging systems.
Part I – Principles and methods of electromagnetic diagnostics and imaging (3 ECTS)
- Fundamentals of electromagnetic diagnostics and imaging (0.5 ECTS): definition and classification of diagnostic techniques; non-destructive testing; general principles of electromagnetic imaging.
- Electromagnetic imaging techniques (1 ECTS): principles of radar imaging; tomographic imaging; subsurface imaging and through-the-wall imaging.
- Inverse problems and reconstruction of electromagnetic parameters (1 ECTS): formulation of inverse problems; reconstruction techniques; regularization methods; estimation of electromagnetic parameters.
- Numerical methods for modeling and simulation (0.5 ECTS): introduction to the main numerical methods: Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD), Method of Moments (MoM), Finite Element Method (FEM).
Part II – Applications and laboratory (2.5 ECTS)
- Electromagnetic imaging in the biomedical field (0.5 ECTS): principles of biomedical diagnostics; imaging techniques for monitoring, detection, and screening.
- Imaging for industrial and security applications (0.5 ECTS): quality control; security imaging; industrial applications.
- Laboratory of electromagnetic imaging and simulation (1.5 ECTS): use of CAD software and numerical tools for simulation; data processing; image reconstruction; optimization of imaging system performance.
Specialist seminars (0.5 ECTS): Seminars delivered by experts from academia, research institutions, and industry on advanced applications of electromagnetic diagnostics and imaging.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Knowledge and understanding: Upon successful completion of the examination, the student has knowledge of the physical and mathematical principles underlying electromagnetic diagnostics and imaging. The student is familiar with the main radar and tomographic imaging techniques, the fundamentals of inverse problems and electromagnetic parameter reconstruction methods, as well as the main numerical methods for the modeling and simulation of electromagnetic phenomena and their applications in biomedical, industrial, and security fields.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Upon successful completion of the examination, the student is able to apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis, modeling, and simulation of electromagnetic diagnostic and imaging systems, to use radar and tomographic imaging techniques, and to employ numerical methods and software tools for electromagnetic parameter reconstruction and for the evaluation of imaging system performance.
Making judgments: To successfully pass the examination, the student must be able to independently assess different electromagnetic diagnostic and imaging techniques according to the application context, physical constraints, and required performance, as well as to critically interpret the results of simulations and reconstruction procedures.
Communication skills: The course and the examination help the student to develop the ability to clearly and rigorously communicate the theoretical principles, numerical methodologies, and applications of electromagnetic diagnostics and imaging, using appropriate technical and scientific terminology.
Learning skills: Upon successful completion of the examination, the student is able to autonomously update their knowledge of electromagnetic diagnostic and imaging techniques and to apply the acquired methodologies to new application scenarios and to different numerical tools and software packages.
More information
Teams code: h8jk82k