The course gives the fundamental of electromagnetic propagation and radio planning applied to both traditional context (e. g. radio link) and in more innovative and new generation network.
The student will become familiar to the most common instruments to analyze and design radio link and propagation network in general. Some national and international regulations are presented. The electromagnetic field evaluation (fundamental topic in radio planning also from the regulation point of view) is presented, even in practical context. The electromagnetic compatibility is also addressed.

Have a basic knowledge of the design problematics for radio link and radio network.
Critically analyze the specifications of the radio-electric network design, with respect to operative conditions.
Design a radio-electric transmission system to satisfy the specific requirements.
Apply techniques and specific algorithms to predict the electromagnetic field for radio coverage and radio planning purposes.
Analyze a radio-electric system according to the human exposition to electromagnetic fields regulation.
Analyze the problem of electromagnetic compatibility within a transmission system.

Basic electromagnetic theory, theory of electronic circuits with distributed parameters, theory of free space and guided electromagnetic propagation.

Introduction on radio planning and frequency bands used in telecommunications
Antennas: review and fundamentals.
Free space propagation
Two-ray propagation model
Dielectric canyon (10-ray propagation model)
Empirical propagation models (Okamura Hata, COST 231 Hata, Sakagami – Kuboi, Ad-hoc models for cellular microcells and picocells)
Diffraction from knife-edge obstacle
Empirical models (multiple knife edge obstacles (Bullington model, Epstein Peterson model, Japanese Atlas model, Deygout model)
Round obstacle diffraction
Tropospheric propagation (Refraction index in atmosphere, Eiconal equation)
Cellular network planning: availability and out of service probability; frequency use/reuse; cell coverages and network architectures (TETRA, GSM, UMTS, 4G, LTE, ... ); hints on wireless networks (Wifi 802.11 a,b,g – Mesh 802.11 s – V2x 802.11p) and on wireless sensor networks.
Indoor radio planning (ray tracing and ray launching)
Ionospheric propagation (Appleton-Hartree equation, Total Electronic Content (TEC), GPS)
National and international regulations (Human exposition to electromagnetic fields, frequency band allocation)
Electromagnetic compatibility

The course will be divided into frontal lessons and problem solving exercises.
Some full numerical exercitations are also scheduled in laboratories.

Lecture notes and slides.
The owner of the course will announce reference and useful books during the lessons

Standard final exam has a written, open-book, part: test+ theory;
Optional written or oral test on theory.
Timely submission of completed Laboratory reports will grant additive bonus.

A) The final mark consists of two parts:
A.1) written (duration of approx. 1.5 hour): maximum mark 30/30 (problem-solving test + theory).
Allowed supporting material: Hard-copy of the uploaded notes, calculator, notes (hard- and soft copy) and books.
Use of communicating calculators, mobile or hand held devices is strictly forbidden. Consultation of solved exercises is not permitted.
Alternatively to the written part of the exam, a short project (max 3 hours) can be carried out. It consists of a numerical analysis (by Matlab) of a real case design of a radio link to be performed in the lab. The project has to be carried out immediately after the end of the course, i.e., before the exams session.

Validity of the written part: within the exam session.
A.2) Submission of the laboratory reports: The proposed numerical exercises, to be performed in Matlab, are thought to be finished during the lab. session. Laboratory reports can be developed during the lab. session or at home, and are to be handled in within one week (after the lab.). The evaluation of the report regards the clear statement of the objectives, presence of results (graphs) and a short conclusion. Positive evaluation of the lab. report will give a maximum additional bonus of 2 points to be added to the final mark.

B) Participate to an optional oral exam, mainly based on the theory, requires a minimum mark of 18/30 obtained for the part (A.1), i.e., without any assignment bonus.

In case of the oral exam the final mark is given by the arithmetic mean (average) between the mark obtained at the oral exam and the mark from the previous item A.

The final mark will be given in thirty (30) e lode.