Introduction to Electronics & Electrical Circuits - ELE00035C

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of electronics, and how to design, build and test simple analogue and digital circuits.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • To introduce electric and magnetic fields, and their interaction with circuits

  • To introduce analogue circuit analysis and design skills

  • To introduce operational amplifiers, their applications and limitations

  • To introduce basic digital design concepts, including gates and state machines

  • To provide reinforcement of learning using laboratory investigations

Graduate skills aims:

  • To develop skills in basic numeric and algebraic techniques

  • To instil professional laboratory working practices

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Design simple analogue circuits based on the operational amplifier, and explain their operation and limitations

  • Analyse DC electrical circuits and derive the voltages, currents and powers associated with every component

  • Design basic digital circuits involving discrete logic gates

  • Explain the architecture and operation of basic microcontrollers

  • Use analogue-to-digital conversion

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Be able to state basic technical concepts concisely and accurately

  • Be able to apply a range of commonly ­encountered mathematical techniques to given problems

Module content

Revision of basic concepts from physics, Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s laws, resistance and capacitance, DC circuit analysis. Ideal op-amps. Diodes. Time constants and time-dependent circuits. ADCs and DACs. Use of lab test equipment.

Digital signals and digital circuits: combinational and sequential circuits.

Testing and debugging analogue and digital circuits.

Professional Practice embedded into this module:

  • Health and Safety (safe working voltages)

  • Laboratory Practice (soldering, prototyping, lab-books)

  • Personal and Group Skills (problem-solving; debugging)

  • Design for Manufacturability (understanding of tolerances)

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 50
Essay/coursework 50

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 50
Essay/coursework 50

Module feedback

The Department of Electronic Engineering aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. Students are provided with their examination results within 20 working days of the end of any given examination period. The Department will also endeavour to return all coursework feedback within 20 working days of the submission deadline. The Department would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The Department will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date

Indicative reading

Electronics, A Systems Approach, Neil Storey, Pearson Education

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, C.K. Alexander and M.N.O Sadiku, McGraw-Hill Education

Principles of Digital Design, Daniel Gajski, Prentice Hall, ISBN 01330011445