UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

Assignment No. 1

Semester 1

EHF3701

High Frequency Electronics III

Examiner: Mr. W.D Govender

Marks: 40 Weight of Assessment: 5%
INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL STUDENTS:
1. Please write neatly and legibly.
2. Your completed answer file is due on 03/03/2022 and must be submitted
online.
3. There are 3 questions. Your answer to each question attempted should
commence on a new page and be appropriately numbered.
4. Pay careful attention to the marks allocated for each question, show all
calculations and state all necessary equations.
5. You are free to email me at any time if you have a query about questions in the
assignment.
6. Your answer file may be submitted at any time before the due time.
7. Please submit your file in PDF format.

Welcome to the School of Engineering.

QUESTION 1

1.1. A plane wave traveling along the x-axis in a polystyrene-filled region with 𝜀𝑟 = 2.54
has an electric field given by 𝐸𝑦 = 𝐸0 cos(𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑥). The frequency is 2.4 GHz, and
𝐸0 = 5.0 V/m.
Find the following:
1.1.1. The amplitude and direction of the magnetic field; [4]
1.1.2. The phase velocity; [2]
1.1.3. The wavelength; and [2]
1.1.4. The phase shift between the positions 𝑥1 = 0.1𝑚 and 𝑥2 = 0.15𝑚 [4]
[12]

QUESTION 2

2.1. A circular copper waveguide has a radius of 0.4 cm and is filled with a dielectric
material having 𝜀𝑟 = 1.5 and tan δ = 0.0002.
2.1.1. Identify the first four propagating modes and their cut-off frequencies. [8]
2.1.2. For the dominant mode, calculate the attenuation due to dielectric loss
and attenuation due to conductor loss at 20 GHz. [8]
[16]

QUESTION 3

3.1. A copper microstrip transmission line is to be designed for a 100 Ω characteristic

impedance. The substrate is 0.51 mm thick, 𝜀𝑟 = 2.2 and tan δ = 0.001.
At 5 GHz, find:
3.1.1. The guide wavelength on the line (in cm) and; [8]
3.1.2. The total attenuation in dB/cm. [4]
[12]

END OF ASSIGNMENT!
Total: [40]