ELEC2205 Electronic Design
Module Overview
Conventional laboratory experiments are useful mainly to assist understanding or analysis: because they are of necessity stereotyped, they are of limited usefulness when a circuit or system must be designed to meet a given specification. The majority of engineering tasks fall into this latter category, and therefore require design or synthesis skills that are distinct from the understanding of underlying engineering principles. This is additional to the analysis skills emphasised in the course so far. This module includes design assignments that have been devised to provide a bridge between 'conventional' experiments and the project work in the third and fourth years, (which in turn provide a bridge to 'real' projects in industry). The exercises have real deadlines and concrete deliverables and students are encouraged to be creative, develop imaginative solutions and to make mistakes. All three assignments have a common format: - Customer orientated rather than proscriptive specifications are given - Design work carried out, bringing academic knowledge to bear on practical problems - Laboratory sessions are used for construction and verification of designs - Allow students to demonstrate their communication skills in writing individual and group reports. The differences between the assignments are in: - Complexity - Size of team - Assessment credit
Aims and Objectives
Module Aims
This module aims to introduce students to a range of electronic devices and from this to provide an opportunity for them to explore the design process, to make mistakes and learn from them in a benign environment.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the principles of operation of a range of electronic devices
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the problems associated with designing practical circuits and systems
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Write formal reports in a clear, technical style
- Address problems associated with personal and group time management in a problem solving environment
- Demonstrate an awareness of team structure and dynamics, together with an appreciation of individual responsibilities working both as a pair and in a larger grouping
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with the advanced use of function generators, oscilloscopes and complex devices such as logic analysers and spectrum analysers
- Construct and test a range of circuits
- Integrate and debug hardware and software systems. In particular appreciate the special problems that occur when both domains are combined
- Understand and interpret technical literature and data sheets
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Synthesise simple circuits and systems
- Design simple digital ICs
- Appreciate the problems in dealing with uncertain and possibly ambiguous specifications
Syllabus
- Effective use of laboratory equipment: oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, network analysers - Sensitive meters and component testers, sources - Synthesis vs analysis - Effective use of design resources, Matlab, Spice, ModelSim, etc. - Designs optimised to meet multiple criteria: phone antennae - Design of consumer devices: iStuff examples - EMC - Manufacturing techniques, RoHS, WEE - Commercial models, outsourcing, fabless design, etc.
Learning and Teaching
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Completion of assessment task | 86 |
| Follow-up work | 5 |
| Lecture | 10 |
| Wider reading or practice | 44 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 5 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Lidwell W, Holden K and Butler J (2010). Universal Principles of Design.
Software requirements. The student version of Orcad/PSpice and LTSpice
Spencer R R & Ghausi M S (2003). Introduction to Electronic Circuit Design.
Williams T (2005). The Circuit Designer's Companion.
Online documents. Lecture notes and details of assignments and assessment schemes will be provided on line.
Laboratory space and equipment required. IC fabrication facilities
Sedra A S & Smith K C (2004). Microelectronic Circuits.
Assessment
Assessment Strategy
There is no referral opportunity for this syllabus in same academic year.
Summative
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Design | 20% |
| Design | 30% |
| Design | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External
Linked modules
Pre-requisites: ELEC1200 AND ELEC1207