Advanced Electronic Systems

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Analyse simple circuits containing active elements such as bipolar and MOS transistors, and Op-amps
• Apply links between mathematical concepts to a range of engineering problems
• Appreciate the practical limitations of such devices

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Derive circuits for sensor interface circuits and oscillators
• Use feedback in circuit design and explain its importance
• Apply key circuit analysis theory to allow the abstraction of problems
• Apply filter design methods to design simple filters
• Use simulation to investigate a range of problems related to electronic circuits
• Interpret datasheets and use them to aid the design of systems

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the requirements for and operation of sensor interface circuits, power supplies, data converters and oscillators
• Understand the key concepts of feedback in electronic circuits
• Demonstrate understanding of circuit analysis for bipolar and MOS circuits
• Understand the concepts of filter design, and be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to design a simple filter using operational amplifiers

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Record and report laboratory work
• Define problems in standard form to allow standard solutions

Transistor Modelling and Circuits

• Ebers Moll Model for the bipolar transistor and its modifications
• Hybrid pi model and high frequency effects
• SPICE parameters for bipolar transistors
• Common emitter, common base and common collector amplifiers
• Bode Diagram, Bandwidth, low and high frequency effects
• Miller effect
• Amplifier design
• Differential pair

Operational Amplifiers and Comparators

• Design and properties of simple op amp
• Effect of feedback network on BW. Closed loop and open loop gain and BW with feedback
• Interaction with internal pole of op-amp. stability
• Limitations of real op-amps (e.g. slew rate, input and output range, offset voltage and current, noise sources)
• Applications of operational amplifiers and comparators

Timing

• Why timing is important
• Ring oscillators
• Relaxation oscillators and 555 timers
• Voltage-controlled oscillators
• Frequency references – principles of quartz crystal as a frequency reference, use of dividers for different frequencies, integration of crystal oscillator into circuits

Data Conversion

• Basic specs of converters: inc. sample rate (relation to Nyquist) linearity, resolution (relation to SNR)
• Introduction to Analogue-to-Digital Conversion (Sample and Hold, analogue multiplexing, anti-alias filter requirements. topologies: Successive Approximation, Dual Slope, Binary Weighted)
• Introduction to Digital-to-Analogue Conversion (properties of DACs, R/2R ladder topology, the need for reconstruction filters)

Filters

• Butterworth design using Sallen-Key circuit

Sensor Interfacing

• Resistive-output sensors
• Bridge circuits
• Differential amplifiers

Power supplies

• Transformers and rectification
• Linear regulators
• Switching regulator types

System Considerations

• System-level stability: decoupling, ground loops
• Basics of EMC and screening
• Examples of complete electronic systems

Teaching and learning methods

There will be 36 hours of lectures and 2 x 3-hour labs.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Wilson P R (2012). The Circuit Designers Companion.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External