Module overview
To introduce the physical and electronic properties of materials that underpin semiconductors and semiconductor devices that underpin modern electronic technology.
To develop and understanding of electronic devices in circuits, to provide a range of circuit theory techniques for the analysis of resistive and active circuits and to introduce the analysis and design of active electronic circuits.
Aims and Objectives
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 transistors, FETs and Opamps and appreciate the practical limitations of such devices.
- Apply appropriate mathematical techniques to solve semiconductor problems
- Use knowledge of physics to understand the behaviour of semiconductor devices
- Apply appropriate laboratory techniques to measure semiconductor properties (Shared with ELEC1300)
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply key network theory to allow the abstraction of problems
- Appreciate the importance of linearising systems, and the use of linear models
- Use analytical approaches to model the behaviour of semiconductor devices
- Develop analytical approaches to understanding electronic systems and designing functional circuits
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The interaction of fields, voltages and currents in semiconductor devices.
- The construction of simple analog systems such as amplifier circuits and analog switches and the extension of these to complicated systems such as op-amps
- The physical nature of and the source of charge carriers in semiconducting materials
- The operation of semiconductor devices.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Understand the links between mathematical concepts and be able to apply them to a range of engineering problems.
- Develop analytical approaches to understanding complex physical systems
Syllabus
Electronic Systems BLOCK
Linear Circuit Analysis
- Mesh, modal and superposition analysis for circuits with voltage sources and resistors
- Matrix notation for mesh equations and solution of matrices including Gaussian elimination
- Analysis of circuits with both current and voltage sources
- Norton and Thevenin and source transformation, including with dependent sources
- The operational amplifier and bipolar transistors as applications of dependent sources
- Linear analysis with dependent sources
- Other useful network analysis including ladder networks and star/delta transform
Basic Amplifiers
- Large signal characteristics and models of FETS and Bipolar
- Basic single transistor amplifier circuits (FET and bipolar)
- FET only circuits (analog switch, MOS inverters as amplifiers, power MOSFETS)
- Small signal models of single transistor amplifiers
- Analysis of practical common emitter and common collector amplifiers
Operational Amplifier Circuits
- Linear op amp circuits: inverting/non-inverting amplifier, adder, subtractor, voltage follower
- Buffers, cascading
- Schmitt trigger, precision diode, relaxation oscillator
- Introduction to frequency dependence, integrators, differentiators (aspects of filters)
- Design of simple systems, triangle wave generator
- Introduction to practical limitations of op-amps (power supply, GBP)
Device BLOCK
SOLID STATE PHYSICS AND SEMICONDUCTORS
- Crystalline and microcrystalline materials, lattices, glasses
- Energy levels, bandgaps, electrons and holes
- Direct and indirect semiconductors (energy-momentum diagrams)
- Carrier concentrations, Fermi Levels and Density of States
- Fields and potentials
- Drift and diffusion currents
PN JUNCTIONS
- Band diagrams
- Poisson’s equation
- The Diode equation
- Junction and depletion capacitance
BIPOLAR JUNCTION TRANSISTORS
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The content of this module is delivered through lectures, module website, directed reading and tutorials.
Students work on their understanding through a combination of independent study, preparation for timetabled activities, tutorials and problem classes, along with formative assessments in the form of coursework assignments.
Students work on their practical skills, professional skills and technical understanding in technical and assessed laboratories.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 12 |
Specialist Laboratory | 12 |
Completion of assessment task | 9 |
Lecture | 36 |
Tutorial | 12 |
Revision | 14 |
Wider reading or practice | 37 |
Follow-up work | 18 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Internet Resources
Introduction to Analog and Digital Communications - Simon Haykin, Michael Moher.
Textbooks
Dorf R C, Svoboda J A (2006). Introduction to Electric Circuits. Wiley.
Price, T. E (1997). Analog Electronics - An Integrated PSpice Approach. Prentice Hall.
I.Otung (2001). Communication Engineering Principles. Palgrave.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
This module is assessed by a combination of coursework, assessed laboratories and a final assessment in the form of a written examination.
The Laboratory assessment which covers practical Learning Outcomes is assessed in the Laboratory Programme Module which includes in-semester opportunities for redeeming failure. These marks are carried forward to the Supplementary Assessment period or External Repeat.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework assignment(s) | 10% |
Examination | 70% |
Laboratory | 20% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Lab Marks carried forward | 20% |
Examination | 80% |
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.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Lab Marks carried forward | 20% |
Examination | 80% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External