Electronic and Computer Systems

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• Circuit analysis for transistor and op-amp based circuits, including oscillators.
• The properties of filters and power supplies.
• The component parts of computer systems.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Processing high-level code into assembly and machine code.
• Use simulation to investigate a range of problems related to electronic circuits.
• Applying key circuit analysis theory to allow the abstraction of problems.
• Using feedback in circuit design, and explain its importance.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Analysing simple circuits containing active elements such as bipolar transistors and op-amps.
• Implementing an operating system on an embedded device.
• Applying links between mathematical concepts and a range of engineering problems.

Computer Architecture

• Processor architectures, instruction sets, and the datapath
• Pipelining, hazards and forwarding
• Memory systems, cache, file systems
• Interfacing and I/O

Computer Systems and Software

• Assembly language, its relationship to machine code and higher-level languages (such as C)
• Development toolchains, compilation and optimisation
• Operating systems (inc. real-time) vs freestanding C
• Performance and benchmarking, power consumption, power modes

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, differential pair.
• Bode Diagram, Bandwidth, low and high frequency effects, Miller effect

Oscillators and Timing

• Ring and relaxation oscillators
• Colpitts and Hartley oscillators
• Crystal oscillators

System aspects

• Limitations of real op-amps (e.g. slew rate, input/output range, offset voltage and current, noise sources)
• Applications of operational amplifiers and comparators
• Properties and applications of analogue filters
• Properties of linear and switching regulators
• System-level stability: decoupling, ground loops, basics of EMC and screening

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 problem sheets.

Students work on their practical skills in laboratories.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

W. Stallings, (2015). Computer Organization and Architecture,. Prentice Hall,.

Patterson D. A. and Hennessy J. L, (2014). Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface, 5th edition,. Morgan Kaufmann.

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

Assessment strategy

This module is assessed by a combination of problem sheets, assessed laboratories and a final assessment in the form of a written examination.

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