Electromagnetic Waves in Guided and Wireless Media

This course helps students understand how electromagnetic waves travel in different media such as wires, waveguides, optical fibers, and free space. It starts with guided wave propagation in transmission lines and metallic waveguides used in RF and microwave systems. The course then explains how light propagates in optical waveguides and optical fibers, which form the backbone of modern communication networks. Free-space wave propagation is also discussed to connect theory with wireless communication systems. In the later part, students are introduced to the basic working principles of antennas and how they radiate electromagnetic energy. Simple antenna models and wireless channel concepts are explained to build intuition. The course connects mathematical concepts with real engineering applications. Emphasis is given to understanding physical meaning rather than only formulas. Assignments include conceptual questions to strengthen fundamentals and computational problems to build problem-solving skills. By the end of the course, students gain a strong foundation in electromagnetic wave propagation across wired and wireless systems.

Source: IIT Kanpur-NPTEL [Youtube Channel]