PHY2028	Practical Electronics	2013-14
	Dr C.D.H. Williams
Delivery Weeks:	T1:01-11
Level:	5 (NQF)
Credits:	15 NICATS / 7.5 ECTS
Enrolment:	1 students (approx)

Description

This module introduces students to the basic areas of analogue electronics, as they might be encountered in physics instrumentation etc. Professional electronics design involves three stages: design, simulate, build; represented this module by the worksheet, simulation exercises and laboratory elements. MacSpice, which is compatible with Berkeley Spice 3f5, simulation system is used here so that students will acquire a sound understanding of the principles underlying almost all professional analogue design systems.

Module Aims

This module pre-dates the current template; refer to the description above and the following ILO sections.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

A student who has passed this module should be able to:

• Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  1. apply the techniques of AC theory in a complex representation;
  2. describe the operation of simple semiconductor devices: junction diode, bipolar transistor, field-effect transistor, etc.;
  3. analyse the operation of a range of basic analogue electronic circuits involving transistors and/or operational amplifiers;
  4. perform design calculations for such circuits;
  5. investigate circuits using SPICE simulation software;
  6. measure circuit performance;
  7. apply simple fault-finding techniques to electronic circuits which malfunction;
• Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  8. apply logic to the solution of problems;
  9. keep contemporaneous notes;
  10. use software to simulate non-linear systems;
  11. use finite lab-time effectively;
• Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
  12. deal with the practicalities of electronics hardware;
  13. use complex-number analysis to describe system behaviour;
  14. make appropriate use of electronic measuring-instruments;
  15. apply theoretical analysis to practical tasks.

Syllabus Plan

1. Introduction
   Brief historical survey.
2. The Ideal Operational Amplifier
3. Feedback and its Applications (DC)
4. Circuit Analysis
   1. Recap of complex impedance;
   2. Kirchhoff laws at AC, loop analysis, node analysis;
   3. AC potential dividers and bridges.
5. Filters
   1. First-order high-pass and low-pass;
   2. Bode plot;
   3. Second-order high-pass and low-pass.
6. Oscillators
   Phase shift, Wien bridge.
7. Bistable, monostable and astable Circuits
8. Non-ideal operational amplifiers
   Gain-bandwidth product, slew-rate limiting.
9. Semiconductor Diodes
   Resistance, differential resistance; Insulators, semiconductors, conductors; p-n junction; Types of diodes; Zener diode, voltage regulation.
10. Bipolar Transistors
    Design of amplifier; Negative feed-back; Two-stage amplifier; Transistor and Zener diode as constant current/voltage source.
11. Unipolar Transistor
    j-FET, MOSFET; FET amplifier; Source follower; FET as voltage-controlled resistor.
12. Differential Amplifier
    CMRR; Complementary emitter follower.
13. Power Supplies and Rectification
    Rectification and smoothing; Stabilisation using Zener diode, etc.; Precision rectifiers.

Learning and Teaching

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Description	Study time	KIS type
12×3-hour practical laboratory classes	36 hours	SLT
4×2-hour computer laboratory classes	8 hours	SLT
Directed homework assignments	46 hours	GIS
Reading to support own learning requirements	60 hours	GIS

Assessment

Weight	Form	Size	When	ILOS assessed	Feedback
60%	6 × Practical Exercises (LabSheets)	10 hours per sheet	Weeks T1:01-06	1-4, 6-9, 11-15.	Written and verbal
40%	4 × Simulation Exercises (SimSheets)	10 hours per sheet	Weeks T1:07-10	1-10, 13, 15.	Written and verbal
0%	Homework Problems	2 hours per week	T1:01-10	1, 3-5.	Self-evaluation

Resources

The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that students are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Instructor(s).

Core text:

• Storey N. (1998), Electronics: A Systems Approach (2^nd edition), Addison-Wesley, ISBN 020117796x (UL: 621.381 STO)

Supplementary texts:

• Faissler W.L. (1991), Introduction to Modern Electronics, Wiley, ISBN 0-471-62242-7 (UL: 621.381 FAI)
• Hartley-Jones M (1995), A Practical Introduction to Electronic Circuits (3^rd edition), Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-47879-0 (UL: 621.38153 JON/X)

ELE:

• http://newton.ex.ac.uk/redirects/ELE/phy2028

Further Information

Prior Knowledge Requirements

Pre-requisite Modules	IT and Electronics Skills (PHY1028)
Co-requisite Modules	none

Re-assessment

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Time scale for re-assessment
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Notes: Re-assessment is not available for this module.

KIS Data Summary

Learning activities and teaching methods SLT - scheduled learning & teaching activities 44 hrs GIS - guided independent study 106 hrs PLS - placement/study abroad 0 hrs Total 150 hrs

Summative assessment Coursework 0% Written exams 0% Practical exams 100% Total 100%

Miscellaneous

IoP Accreditation Checklist	Not applicable, this is an optional module.
Availability	unrestricted
Distance learning	NO
Keywords	Physics; Circuits; Amplifier; Transistors; Diodes; Analysis; Voltage; Zener; Semiconductors; Follower; Differential.
Created	01-Oct-10
Revised	01-Oct-11