Electromagnetic waves form the basis of many modern technologies – from wireless communication systems and radar applications to waveguides and antennas, optical fibers, thin-film devices, metamaterials, and numerical simulation methods. This textbook offers a sound yet highly accessible introduction to this fascinating field. It is intended for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers, and engineers working in high-frequency, microwave, and communication technology.
Starting with transmission line theory, the book guides readers step by step through Maxwell’s equations, boundary conditions, plane waves, polarization, wave propagation in conducting media, and interface phenomena such as total internal reflection. Building on this foundation, it covers metallic and dielectric waveguides, antenna theory, and antenna arrays. It also highlights how the current distribution of an antenna is related to its radiation pattern – elegantly described using the Fourier transform. Further topics include the propagation of electromagnetic waves in real radio communication environments, including ionized and magnetized media, and the Luxemburg Effect. 
Emphasis is placed on clarity, intuition, and physical understanding. Numerous solved examples, exercises for independent study, and conceptual review questions support self-directed learning and help readers develop a deeper understanding of the subject. The presentation is complemented by many proven circuits as well as detailed illustrations and drawings that make complex relationships visible and significantly deepen understanding. An extensive mathematical appendix supports the main text and makes the book self-contained.
Both authors are well-recognized specialists in high-frequency technology, microwave engineering, and electromagnetic wave propagation. Ulrich L. Rohde brings experience from more than a dozen specialist books, while Raghunath K. Shevgaonkar has authored two widely used textbooks. With their many years of experience in teaching, research, and engineering practice, the two professors present a book that builds a strong foundation and serves professionals as a valuable, practice-oriented reference.

Prof. Raghunath K. Shevgaonkar received his PhD from IIT Bombay and Indian Institute of Astrophysics/Raman Research Institute. He is Professor Emeritus at IIT Bombay with four decades of teaching and research experience in electromagnetics, optical communication, antennas, microwaves and radio astronomy. He has published a textbook and a monograph for electrical engineers with McGraw Hill Education.

He has held prominent leadership roles including Director of IIT Delhi, Vice Chancellor of University of Pune and Bennett University, and visiting professor at University of Nebraska, Lincoln, ETH Zurich and ISEP Paris. Moreover, he commissioned one of the largest decameter wave radio telescopes in the world and was a pioneer of e-learning in India as a national coordinator for NPTEL.

He is a Fellow of the IEEE, INAE, NASI and IETE, among others. He is a recipient of the IEEE William E. Sayle Award, the IEEE Undergraduate Teaching Award, the Excellence in Teaching Award of IIT Bombay, the Vasvik Award in information and communication technology, and the Lifetime Achievement Award of University of Pune.

Prof. Ulrich L. Rohde received his Dr.-Ing. and Dr.-Ing. habil. degrees from the Technical University Berlin and Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus, Germany. He is Professor of Microwave Systems at the Universität der Bundeswehr, Munich, and holds appointments at other universities worldwide. He is Partner of Rohde & Schwarz and Chairman of the Board of Synergy Microwave Corporation. He has authored over 350 papers, 6 books, and holds 35 patents.

In 1983, he and his team designed and proved the concept of what is today known as software-defined radio (SDR), a technology now used worldwide including in cell phones. He later introduced the world's first PC-based general purpose software program using the harmonic balance principle which can analyze noise in all non-linear circuits with the use of the noise correlation matrix.

His awards include honorary Ph.D. degrees, the IEEE AP-S Distinguished Achievement Award, and the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Distinguished Industry Leader Award. He is an IEEE Life Fellow, an honorary member of the Bavarian Academy of Science and Humanity, a Visiting Scientist at MIT, and a Fellow of the IETE and INAE. Most recently, he received the Broadcast Engineering Society India Lifetime Achievement Award.