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Analogue Engineering - ELE00097H

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. John Dawson
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module covers: a range of advanced analogue design techniques including: Bipolar transistor circuits for discrete and integrated circuit design; Large signal and power circuit design, including distortion and power dissipation issues; Linear and switched-mode power supplies and amplifiers; filter design; and analogue to digital and digital to analogue converter technology.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • To introduce students to Bipolar Junction Transistors and their applications in analogue electronics.

  • To introduce the underlying circuit principles of device models and circuits applicable to the internal design of operational amplifiers and power amplifiers.

  • To introduce large signal and power circuits.

  • To introduce linear and switched mode power supplies, amplifiers and regulators.

  • To introduce thermal and other limitations of semiconductor devices.

  • To provide an understanding of the underlying circuit principles of analogue filters including a variety of filter approximations and thereby to synthesise these filters using passive and active components.

  • To introduce ADC and DAC topologies and their performance characteristics.

Graduate skills aims:

  • To develop skills in the application of applied numeracy and analytical techniques.

  • To develop professional laboratory working practices.

Module learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to analyse and design bipolar transistor bias and small signal transistor circuits

  • Be able to determine small signal parameters and low­ frequency small signal equivalent circuits

  • Describe the factors contributing to distortion in large signal and power amplifiers

  • Be able to design, at a circuit level, the internal blocks of an operational amplifier and audio­ amplifiers

  • Be able to analyse analogue power stages to determine their efficiency

  • Be able to use SPICE to analyse the behaviour of semiconductor devices based circuits

  • Explain various ADC and DAC topologies and their limitations

  • Be able to design and build analogue filters

  • Be able to calculate the order and type of filter based on specifications

  • Be able to implement analogue filters using passive LC and active circuits

  • Be able to design simple SMPSU and switching amplifiers.

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to explain commonly ­encountered technical concepts concisely and accurately

  • Be able to select and apply a range of mathematical techniques to solve problems

  • Have developed skills in problem solving, critical analysis and applied mathematics

Module content

Introduction to BJT; DC Biasing; low-frequency small-signal model and amplifiers; differential Amplifier; current sources and mirrors; active loads; linear and switched mode power amplifiers, efficiency and distortion; limitations of power devices; thermal considerations and heatsinks; linear and switched mode power supplies; filter design; ADC and DAC technology

Labs: BJT amplifiers; multi-transistor circuits; power amplifier; linear and switched mode power supplies, switched mode amplifier, analogue filters

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Analogue Engineering Exam		 2 hours 60
Practical
Analogue Engineering Labs		 N/A 40

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The laboratory reports are intended to test understanding of the various aspects illustrated in the laboratory work. The closed book analogue exam tests ability to explain, analyse and design the analogue circuits covered by the module.

Continuous assessments may include a mix of formative and summative elements and run throughout the teaching part of the semester.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Analogue Engineering Exam		 2 hours 60
Practical
Analogue Engineering Labs		 N/A 40

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments. A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.

The School of PET 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. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School 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.

Formative Feedback

  • Questions can be asked at any time, and will be answered as soon as possible.

  • Practicals and workshops will provide an opportunity for discussion and formative feedback

Summative Feedback

  • You have the opportunity to view your marked exam papers, in addition to the general feedback published.

  • Lab assessments are annotated with some feedback

Indicative reading

Razavi, B, ‘Fundamentals of Microelectronics’, John Wiley and Sons

Floyd, TL, ‘Electronic Devices’, Macmillan Publishing

Paul Grey, Paul Hurst, Stephen Lewis, Robert Meyer, ‘Analysis & Design of Analogue Integrated Circuits’, Wiley

Abraham I Pressman 'Switching Power Supply Design', McGraw-Hill


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.