The aim of this module is to introduce you to the interdisciplinary nature of electrical engineering by taking you from waves propagating in space and in transmission lines through to waves as information carriers in the frequency domain and the need for modulation techniques to transport this information efficiently. The pn diode will be introduced and concepts from Analysis and Design of Circuits used to implement circuits to carry out the modulation/demodulation process. This insight into pn diodes leads to photovoltaic renewable energy. We will formulate an answer to the question of how this renewable energy is transported into your home. The processing of information, helped by maths and software is a major theme in the EIE stream. The generation, transport and management of electrical power systems is a leading theme in the EEE stream.

At the end of the module you are expected to be able to:
1. Describe waves as information carriers.
2. Describe how waves propagate in free space and transmission lines.
3. Apply mathematical tools to investigate signals in the frequency domain.
4. Explain the need for modulation techniques to transmit a signal and identify the basic hardware components to achieve modulation and demodulation.
5. Describe the transport processes in a pn diode and extrapolate this knowledge to its use as a solar cell.
6. Employ laboratory skills to characterise solar cells.
7. Illustrate how solar polar is transported from the source to the household.
8. Relate the different engineering topics to demonstrate how they are interconnected.

Syllabus:
• Waves as oscillators, signals in time domain
• Propagation of waves in free space and in transmission lines such as coaxial cables
• Radiating waves and their connection to radar
• Fourier series and Fourier transform
• Signals in the frequency domain using Fourier transforms
• Amplitude modulation and demodulation
• Transport processes in the pn diode and its IV characteristic
• Using diodes in simple (de)modulation circuits
• Using the diode as a solar cell and circuit representation
• Introduction to the electrical grid
• The influence of renewable energy on the grid
• Smart grid and its requirements