PHY1107 Practical Electronics I

2007-2008

Code: PHY1107
Title: Practical Electronics I
Instructors: Dr I.R. Summers
CATS credits: 10
ECTS credits: 5
Availability: Physics programmes only
Level: 1
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: N/A
Duration: Semester II
Directed Study Time: 12 laboratory sessions of 3 hours
Private Study Time: 64 hours
Assessment Tasks Time: -
Observation report: 2004/05 GPS

Aims

This module aims to introduce students to the basic areas of digital electronics, as they might be encountered in physics instrumentation, etc., and to provide the necessary theoretical background to carry out experimental investigations. A small amount of analogue electronics is also covered, this being included for the benefit of those students who will choose to do no further electronics modules.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• describe the operation of a range of digital-electronics circuits and of some basic analogue-electronics circuits;
• use appropriate techniques for measurement of circuit performance and techniques for fault-finding;
• build and test simple electronics circuits of the type used in physics instrumentation.

Transferable Skills

Ability to deal with the practicalities of electronics hardware. Ability to solve problems logically.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Laboratory classes, with background material presented in the form of handouts.

Assignments

Record of experiments in laboratory notebook/binder.

Assessment

Written reports on laboratory experiments (60%), tests and coursework (40%).

Syllabus Plan and Content

1. Combinational Logic
   1. NAND and NOR gates
   2. truth tables
   3. combination of gates to implement logic functions
2. Sequential Logic
   1. R-S flip-flops
   2. J-K flip flops and simple control circuits
   3. Binary counters
   4. Shift registers
3. Memory chips
   1. Input and output of data; use of addresses
4. Microprocessors
   1. Basic operation
   2. I/O and simple control situations
   3. D/A and A/D on input/output data bus
5. D to A and A to D Conversion
   1. Operation of DAC
   2. Use of DAC to make ADC
   3. Sampling rates, conversion times, aliasing and the Nyquist Theorem
6. Analogue Electronics
   1. Simple amplifier circuits based on op-amps; gain, bandwidth, input impedance, output impedance, signal/noise ratio
   2. Filters: description in terms of frequency response
   3. Comparators

Core Text

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

Supplementary Text(s)

Faissler W.L. (1991), Introduction to Modern Electronics, Wiley, ISBN 0-471-62242-7 (UL: 621.381 FAI)

Formative Mechanisms

Students are able to monitor their learning by their performance in tests and by attempting practical design and measurement exercises. They are able to discuss these exercises with demonstrators in the class,

Evaluation Mechanisms

The module will be evaluated using information gathered via the student representation mechanisms, the staff peer appraisal scheme, and measures of student attainment based on summative assessment.