Introduction to ICT applications - Computer engineering (Introduction to Digital electronics)

This module aims to provide students with the fundamentals of digital electronics. It introduces key concepts related to discrete-time numerical systems and, starting from basic building blocks, presents the main digital components, their functionalities, and their practical applications.

Introduction to ICT applications - Electronics (Introduction to Radio frequency systems)

Radio Frequency technologies are central to aerospace applications, enabling satellite communications, telemetry, radar systems, navigation, remote sensing, and communication links between aircraft, spacecraft, ground stations, and autonomous platforms. As aerospace systems become increasingly interconnected and dependent on high-frequency electronics, understanding of RF principles is essential for engineers involved in the design, integration, and operation of aerospace vehicles and infrastructures. This introductory course on RF systems provides aerospace engineering students with the theoretical foundations required to understand modern wireless and spaceborne communication systems, presenting them the fundamental concepts governing the generation, transmission, propagation, and reception of electromagnetic signals at high frequencies. The course is structured to provide a coherent progression from basic RF circuit concepts to system-level understanding: students will first study transmission lines and impedance matching concepts, which are critical for efficient power transfer and signal integrity in high-frequency systems. The course then covers the fundamentals of antennas and electromagnetic radiation, with emphasis on radiation mechanisms, antenna parameters, and their role in aerospace communication and sensing applications. Building upon these foundations, the course offers then an overview of high-frequency technologies and components commonly used in RF systems, including some practical implementation aspects. The architecture and operation of RF transceivers are subsequently introduced, allowing students to understand how transmitting and receiving chains are designed in real aerospace communication systems. Finally, the course addresses link budget analysis, providing students with the ability to evaluate communication performance, propagation losses, and system reliability in realistic aerospace scenarios such as satellite links, airborne communication systems, and deep-space missions, with an emphasis on the capability of properly selecting off-the-shelf components given budget specifications. The acquired knowledge supports further studies and professional activities in avionics, satellite engineering, telecommunications, radar, remote sensing, and wireless aerospace systems.

Introduction to ICT applications - Computer engineering (Introduction to Digital electronics)

Understanding of component and device characteristics. Ability to analyze and design simple digital circuits.

Introduction to ICT applications - Electronics (Introduction to Radio frequency systems)

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: - Demonstrate basic understanding of RF and microwave engineering principles relevant to aerospace communication, navigation, radar, and remote sensing systems - Analyze and model electromagnetic wave propagation and transmission line behavior in high-frequency systems, including reflection phenomena, standing waves, and impedance matching - Understand the role of impedance matching networks and RF interconnections to ensure efficient power transfer and signal integrity in aerospace applications, recognizing practical implementation challenges, such as parasitic effects, and integration constraints - Describe the operating principles and performance parameters of antennas and select suitable antenna solutions for aerospace platforms based on operational, environmental, and system-level requirements - Interpret the architecture and operation of RF transceivers, distinguishing the roles of transmitting and receiving chains in wireless and spaceborne communication system - Identify and explain the function of key RF and microwave components, including microstrip circuits, microwave transistors, filters, amplifiers, mixers, and oscillators - Perform basic link budget analysis for aerospace communication scenarios, accounting for gains, losses, atmospheric effects, noise, and reliability constraints - Correctly read the datasheet of a microwave off-the-shelf circuit and select appropriate components based on link budget specifications

Introduction to ICT applications - Computer engineering (Introduction to Digital electronics)

Basics of mathematics and computer science

Introduction to ICT applications - Electronics (Introduction to Radio frequency systems)

Mandatory pre-requisites include: - Basic knowledge of mathematical analysis and geometry; in particular, the ability to perform calculations involving complex numbers, vectors, and Fourier transforms; - Fundamental physics concepts related to wave propagation and electromagnetic fields, including their energy-related properties; - Fundamentals of analog electronics; in particular, the ability to analyze circuits in sinusoidal steady-state regime - Basic knowledge of passive and active electronics components

Introduction to ICT applications - Computer engineering (Introduction to Digital electronics)

- Boolean algebra, analog and digital signals - Combinational logic gates: NAND, NOR, NOT, AND, OR, XOR - Simple combinational functions and logic properties: function, true table, symbol and boolean equation - Sequential components: flip-flop, latch, registers - Counters and Finite State Machines - Memories

Introduction to ICT applications - Electronics (Introduction to Radio frequency systems)

- Introduction: high-frequency electronics and electromagnetics (0.1 CFU) - Propagation in one-dimensional guiding structures (transmission lines) in the frequency domain: introduction to the main concepts like forward and reflected waves, characteristic impedance and impedance matching, reflection coefficients (0.45 CFU) - Free-space propagation: radiation integral, antenna parameters and elementary antennas, link budget (0.5 CFU) - Linear 2-port gains, matching networks, basics of noise and nonlinearity (0.4 CFU) - High-frequency technologies: microwave transistors and circuits (0.25 CFU) - RF transceivers: architectures, sub-components figures of merit, power/link budget (0.4 CFU)

Introduction to ICT applications - Computer engineering (Introduction to Digital electronics)

Introduction to ICT applications - Electronics (Introduction to Radio frequency systems)

Introduction to ICT applications - Computer engineering (Introduction to Digital electronics)

The module is organized in lectures explaining concepts, together with practical examples with emphasis on analysis and design aspects.

Introduction to ICT applications - Electronics (Introduction to Radio frequency systems)

The course consists of theoretical lectures complemented by exercise sessions. The exercises are integrated within the lectures and distributed throughout the course, serving as practical applications and reinforcement of the theoretical concepts introduced immediately beforehand.

Introduction to ICT applications - Computer engineering (Introduction to Digital electronics)

The book "Fundamentals of Digital Logic" (either Verilog or VHDL editions are ok) by Stephen Brown and Zvonko Vranesic covers all the topics and is a good reference for who is interested in further expanding the knowledge in the field.

Introduction to ICT applications - Electronics (Introduction to Radio frequency systems)

The course material provided to the students includes slides and notes shown during the lectures as well as the following materials - R. Orta, “Lecture Notes on Transmission Line Theory” - R. Orta, “Lecture Notes on Electromagnetic Field Theory” Other recommended books are: - Ghione, Pirola "Microwave Electronics" - Razavi, "RF microelectronics" - L. Matekovits, et al., "Campi Elettromagnetici, linee di trasmissione e guide d'onda", Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna - J.D. Kraus, “Electromagnetics”, McGraw Hill - D.M. Pozar, “Microwave Engineering”, Wiley - F.T. Ulaby, “Fundamentals of Applied Electromagnetics”, Prentice Hall - C.A. Balanis, “Antenna Theory”, John Wiley & Sons

Introduction to ICT applications - Computer engineering (Introduction to Digital electronics)

Slides;

Introduction to ICT applications - Electronics (Introduction to Radio frequency systems)

Slides; Dispense; Esercizi; Esercizi risolti;

Introduction to ICT applications - Computer engineering (Introduction to Digital electronics)

Modalita di esame: Prova scritta in aula tramite PC con l'utilizzo della piattaforma di ateneo;

Introduction to ICT applications - Electronics (Introduction to Radio frequency systems)

Modalita di esame: Prova scritta in aula tramite PC con l'utilizzo della piattaforma di ateneo;

Introduction to ICT applications - Computer engineering (Introduction to Digital electronics)

Exam: Computer-based written test in class using POLITO platform;

Introduction to ICT applications - Electronics (Introduction to Radio frequency systems)

Exam: Computer-based written test in class using POLITO platform;

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Introduction to ICT applications - Computer engineering (Introduction to Digital electronics)

1) Assessment Overview The exam evaluates the following competencies: fundamental knowledge of the module topics and the ability to apply theoretical concepts to problem-solving. 2) Exam Structure and Duration The exam lasts 30 minutes and consists of 15 multiple-choice questions, including a mix of theoretical quizzes and practical exercises covering the entire module syllabus. - Theoretical Quizzes: Designed to verify the understanding of all topics addressed in the module. - Practical Exercises: Aim to assess the ability to select and apply theoretical principles to solve simplified, real-world problems. 3)Grading Policy Each question offers four possible answers, with only one correct option. - Correct answer: +2 points - Incorrect or missing answer: 0 points (no penalty) 4) Exam Rules and Materials - Prohibited items: Students are strictly forbidden from using books, personal notes, mobile phones, or any other unauthorized electronic devices. - Permitted materials: Students may use a non-programmable calculator and the laptop required to access the official Exam Platform. 5) Final Result - Passing Grade: A minimum score of 18 is required to pass. - Withdrawal: The score obtained is final and cannot be improved. Students unsatisfied with their result must withdraw before submitting or recording the grade. - Final Course Grade: The overall grade for the course is the rounded average of the scores obtained across the three modules.

Introduction to ICT applications - Electronics (Introduction to Radio frequency systems)

The exam evaluates the following competencies: fundamental knowledge of the module topics and the ability to apply theoretical concepts to problem-solving. The exam lasts 30 minutes and consists of 15 multiple-choice questions, including a mix of theoretical quizzes, designed to verify the understanding of all topics addressed in the module, and practical exercises, to assess the ability to select and apply theoretical principles to solve simplified, real-world problems, covering the entire module syllabus. Each question offers four possible answers, with only one correct option. Correct answers give 2 points, incorrect or missing answers five 0 points (no penalty). Students are strictly forbidden from using books, personal notes, mobile phones, or any other unauthorized electronic devices. Students may use a non-programmable calculator and the laptop required to access the official Exam Platform. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass. The score obtained is final and cannot be improved. Students unsatisfied with their result must withdraw. The overall grade for the course is the rounded average of the scores obtained across the three modules. Honors will be awarded to students who will get the maximum score of 30/30 in all three modules.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilita o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unita Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione piu idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.