MODULE TITLE

Practical Electronics

 

CREDIT VALUE

15

MODULE CODE

PHY2028

MODULE CONVENER

Dr C.D.H. Williams

 

 

DURATION

TERM

1

2

3

Number Students Taking Module (anticipated)

1

WEEKS

T1:01-11

 

DESCRIPTION – summary of the module content (100 words)

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 – intentions of the module

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

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

 On successful completion of this module you 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:

  1. apply logic to the solution of problems;
  2. keep contemporaneous notes;
  3. use software to simulate non-linear systems;
  4. use finite lab-time effectively;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

  1. deal with the practicalities of electronics hardware;
  2. use complex-number analysis to describe system behaviour;
  3. make appropriate use of electronic measuring-instruments;
  4. apply theoretical analysis to practical tasks.

SYLLABUS PLAN – summary of the structure and academic content of the module

  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 (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities  

44 hours

Guided independent study  

106 hours

Placement/study abroad

0 hours

 

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

 Category 

 Hours of study time 

 Description 

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

36 hours

12×3-hour practical laboratory classes

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

8 hours

4×2-hour computer laboratory classes

Guided independent study

46 hours

Directed homework assignments

Guided independent study

60 hours

Reading to support own learning requirements

 

ASSESSMENT

 

 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment

Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length

ILOs assessed

Feedback method

Homework Problems

2 hours per week

1, 3-5.

Self-evaluation

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework

0%

Written exams

0%

Practical exams

100%

 

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment

 

% of credit

Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length

 ILOs assessed 

Feedback method

6 × Practical Exercises (LabSheets)

60%

10 hours per sheet

1-4, 6-9, 11-15.

Written and verbal

4 × Simulation Exercises (SimSheets)

40%

10 hours per sheet

1-10, 13, 15.

Written and verbal

 DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where 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

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES  

Re-assessment is not available for this module.

 

RESOURCES

 

 INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES -  The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener.

Core text:

Supplementary texts:

ELE:

 Web based and electronic resources: 

CREDIT VALUE

15

ECTS VALUE

7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES

IT and Electronics Skills (PHY1028)

CO-REQUISITE MODULES

none

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)

5

AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING

NO

ORIGIN DATE

01-Oct-10

LAST REVISION DATE

01-Oct-11

KEY WORDS SEARCH

Physics; Circuits; Amplifier; Transistors; Diodes; Analysis; Voltage; Zener; Semiconductors; Follower; Differential.

Module Descriptor Template Revised October 2011