PH3074 Electronics

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Module description

This module provides a basic grounding in practical electronics. It introduces and develops the basic principles underlying the synthesis and analysis of analogue circuits. The module is divided into two parts: passive circuits, beginning with a review of dc circuit theory before moving onto complex impedance, passive ac circuits and diode applications; active circuits and amplifiers, including simple bipolar amplifiers, operational amplifiers and applications.

Additional information from school

Aims & Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide a grounding in the basic principles behind practical electronics that will be useful for any student undertaking experimental physics.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

1) be familiar with and proficient in using methods to calculate the voltages and currents in linear circuits containing voltage sources, current sources and resistors and be able to calculate Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits and explain and apply the concepts and importance of input and output impedance.

2) be familiar with and proficient in using methods to solve simple ac circuits containing resistors, capacitors and inductors using complex representations. They should be able to explain how simple integrators, differentiators, filters and timing circuits are made using combinations of resistors, capacitors and inductors and be able to design basic examples.

3) be able to solve simple circuits containing non-linear devices and apply appropriate diode models to common applications, including their use in power supplies and voltage references.

4) explain the principles of and design basic transistor circuits and be able to calculate quantities such as gain and input and output impedance for bipolar transistor circuits. They should be able to explain the differences between, and relative merits of, Class A, Class B and Class AB output stages.

5) be able to design and analyse circuits using operational amplifiers and explain how they can be used in a variety of applications. They should also clearly understand the advantages and limitations of operational amplifiers and be able to explain the behaviour of circuits using operational amplifiers.

6) be able to use a circuit simulation software to model the behaviour of analogue circuits.

7) In the lab, be able to predict, test, debug and explain the operation of simple electronic circuits using standard components and test equipment.

Synopsis

Voltage, current, resistors and voltage/current sources. DC circuit analysis using Kirchhoff’s laws. The theory of superposition in solving circuits. Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits. Capacitors and inductors. AC theory and complex impedance. RC circuits and applications, RLC circuits and applications. Diodes and diode models, diode applications, solving simple circuits with diodes using load lines. Bipolar transistors, the emitter follower and common-emitter amplifier, constant current sources, input and output impedance of single-ended transistor circuits. Power supplies and voltage regulation. Differential, class A, B and AB amplifier stages. Negative feedback in amplifiers. Operational amplifiers and applications.

Additional information on continuous assessment etc.

Please note that the definitive comments on continuous assessment will be communicated within the module. This section is intended to give an indication of the likely breakdown and timing of the continuous assessment.

There will be two or three combined laboratory/simulation and tutorial sets for this module, with the laboratory and some simulation work undertaken in weekly one-hour sessions that will run in weeks 2 to 5 and weeks 7 to 11. The work will be marked and returned with individual written feedback. These submissions will together contribute 25% of the overall module grade.

Accreditation Matters

This module may not contain material that is part of the IOP “Core of Physics”, but does contribute to the wider and deeper learning expected in an accredited degree programme.  The skills developed in this module, and others, contribute towards the requirements of the IOP “Graduate Skill Base”.

Recommended Books

Please view University online record:

http://resourcelists.st-andrews.ac.uk/modules/ph3074.html

General Information

Please also read the general information in the School's Honours handbook that is available via https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/.