Understanding Electromagnetic Waves

This one-semester textbook teaches students Electromagnetic Waves, via an early introduction to Maxwell’s Equations in the first chapter.  Mathematics fundamentals are used as needed, but rigor is de-emphasized in preference to understanding the basic ideas and principles of EM waves.  Each chapter includes extensive, step-by-step, solved examples, as well as abundant exercises. 

• Designed for a one-semester course in electromagnetic waves;
• Introduces Maxwell’s equations in the first chapter;
• De-emphasizes mathematical rigor in order to make key ideas and principles easy to understand;
• Makes material accessible to readers of varying backgrounds, with extensive use of solved examples;
• Includes abundant exercises for each chapter.

Introduction.- Maxwell’s Equations.- Plane Waves and Wave Equations.- Characteristics and Parameters of EM Waves.- Boundary Conditions and Behavior of EM Waves.- Transmission Line.- Smith Chart.- Antenna.

Ming-Seng Kao holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering of National Taiwan University. He was a professor in the Department of Communication Engineering at the National Chiao-Tung University, Taiwan. His research interest includes optical communications and digital receivers. He was a recipient of Outstanding Teaching Award of NCTU. (He retired in 2013.)

Chieh-Fu Chang received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. He is currently a researcher at the Electrical Engineering Division of the National Space Organization/National Applied Research Laboratory (NSPO/NARL) in Taiwan. His research interests include satellite communications, remote sensing instruments, digital receivers and signal processing.