Modular simulation-based teaching enhancement for antenna radiation, propagation, and reception: An end-to-end visualization of Maxwell's equations and boundary conditions

To address the challenges associated with the abstract nature of Maxwell's equations and boundary conditions, as well as the lack of coherence among different topics in the Electromagnetic Fields and Waves course, this study develops a progressive three-module simulation framework consisting of antenna radiation–spatial propagation–reception coupling. A narrative-based instructional storyline entitled “Messenger's Journey” is designed to conceptualize the complete process of electromagnetic wave generation, propagation, and reception as three stages: “Messenger Departs–On the Way–Arrival.” Based on a Python simulation platform, a series of visual simulations are developed, including current distributions, radiation patterns, propagation animations, attenuation curves, and polarization-coupling curves, providing intuitive physical illustrations of electromagnetic wave phenomena. The primary contribution of this work is the proposal of a novel instructional framework that integrates a narrative storyline with a three-module simulation system. By establishing a direct correspondence between abstract electromagnetic concepts and visual representations, the framework enables end-to-end visualization of antenna radiation, wave propagation, and reception processes under the framework of Maxwell's equations and boundary conditions, and provides a reproducible simulation-based approach for teaching electromagnetic wave propagation and antenna fundamentals.