Description

The main purpose of this course is to provide students the basis for understanding and mastery of the principles of operation of devices and electronic circuits. It begins with a brief introduction to electronics in order to provide students with a global vision. Afterwards, basic concepts about devices and electronic circuits are taught:
· Diodes and circuits with diodes, including concepts such as load line, ideal diodes, rectifiers, shaping circuits, logic circuits, voltage regulators and devices physics.
· Characteristics of bipolar transistors, analysis of load line, large-signal models, polarization, amplification and small-signal equivalent circuits.
· Study of the FET similar to the previous highlighting the MOSFET.
· Check the circuit designs studied using SPICE. Mounting and verification using laboratory electronic instrumentation.
· Basic concepts about logic digital circuits.

On the other hand, in the framework of the course it takes place the first contact of students with the electronics labs. Therefore, the main objective of the practical part of the course is for students to acquire the bases for a correct management of the most common instruments in the laboratories of electronics. At the end of the course the student must know how to handle the laboratory instruments, distinguish and characterize the different components, and have practical skills in assembly and measurement. Students will also start with simulation of circuits, in order to introduce them to computer-aided design.
English Friendly subject. International students may request from the teachers: a) materials and bibliographic references in English, b) tutoring sessions in English, c) exams and assessments in English.

Requirements

Recommended prerequisite: Physics: Analysis of Linear Circuits — V05G301V01108

Instructors

Domínguez Gómez, Miguel Ángel

Rodríguez Pardo, María Loreto

Contents

• Subject 1: Introduction — Electronic systems; design process; integrated circuits.
• Subject 2: Diodes and circuits with diodes — Diode characteristics; Zener diodes; load-line analysis; ideal diode model; rectifiers, clipping and voltage regulator circuits; small-signal equivalent linear circuits; basic semiconductor concepts; diode physics; capacitance effects; LED and laser diodes; photodiodes.
• Subject 3: Principles of amplification — Voltage, current and power gains; ideal amplifier; amplifier models; limits; introduction to amplifier frequency response.
• Subject 4: Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT) — Operation of the npn BJT; load-line analysis of a common-emitter amplifier; pnp BJT; circuit models; analysis of BJT circuits; phototransistors and optocouplers.
• Subject 5: Analysis of amplifiers with Bipolar Junction Transistors — Small-signal equivalent circuits; medium-frequency analysis: common-emitter, emitter-follower, common-collector and common-base amplifiers.
• Subject 6: Field Effect Transistors (FET) — NMOS transistor; load-line analysis of a simplified NMOS amplifier; polarization circuits; JFET and depletion MOSFET transistors; p-channel devices.
• Subject 7: Analysis of amplifiers with Field Effect Transistors — Small-signal equivalent circuits; medium-frequency analysis: common-source amplifier and source-follower amplifiers.
• Subject 8: Digital logic circuits — Basic concepts; electrical specifications of logic gates; CMOS inverter; CMOS NOR and NAND gates.

Practices / Laboratory Work

• Practice 1: Introduction to simulation — Simulation of electronic circuits with OrCAD.
• Practice 2: Instrumentation I — Use of the voltage source, function generator and multimeter.
• Practice 3: Instrumentation II — Use of a digital oscilloscope.
• Practice 4: Simulation of circuits with diodes — Simulation using OrCAD.
• Practice 5: Implementation of circuits with diodes — Protoboard implementation and verification using laboratory instrumentation.
• Practice 6: Simulation of circuits with bipolar transistors — Simulation using OrCAD.
• Practice 7: Implementation of circuits with bipolar transistors — Protoboard implementation and verification using laboratory instrumentation.
• Practice 8: Simulation of circuits with field effect transistors — Simulation using OrCAD.
• Practice 9: Implementation of circuits with field effect transistors — Protoboard implementation and verification using laboratory instrumentation.

Learning Outcomes

• B13 — CG13: The ability to use software tools that support problem solving in engineering.
• C4 — CE4/FB4: Comprehension and command of basic concepts in linear systems and their related functions and transforms; electric circuits theory; electronic circuits; physical principles of semiconductors and logical families; electronic and photonic devices; materials technology and their application to solve engineering problems.

Planned Activities

• Introductory activities — Presentation of the subject; presentation of laboratory practices; introduction to the instrumentation and software to be used. Competencies developed: B13 and C4.
• Lecturing — Explanation of course contents followed by individual student work reviewing classroom concepts and preparing topics using the recommended bibliography. Students identify doubts to be addressed during personal tutoring sessions. Competency developed: C4.
• Problem solving — Activities focused on formulating and solving problems and/or exercises related to the subject. Complements theoretical sessions through individual student work solving problems proposed in class and from the bibliography, with doubts clarified in tutoring sessions. Competency developed: C4.
• Laboratory practicals — Application of theoretical knowledge through laboratory work. Students learn to use standard electronic laboratory instrumentation, implement basic electronic circuits studied in theory sessions, and develop skills using simulation tools. Includes preparation using documentation, review of theoretical concepts, results analysis, and discussion of doubts in tutoring sessions. Competency developed: B13. Software used — OrCAD (student version).

Assessment Methods and Criteria

Evaluation Activities

• Problem and/or exercise solving (Test 1) — Test carried out in the classroom during the course to evaluate students’ ability to solve problems and/or exercises from the first part of the subject contents. These may include multiple-choice tests, questions, and/or exercises. Qualification: 23.33. Learning result: C4.
• Problem and/or exercise solving (Test 2) — Test carried out in the classroom during the course to evaluate students’ ability to solve problems and/or exercises from the second part of the subject contents. These may include multiple-choice tests, questions, and/or exercises. Qualification: 23.33. Learning result: C4.
• Problem and/or exercise solving (Test 3) — Test carried out in the classroom during the course to evaluate students’ ability to solve problems and/or exercises from the third part of the subject contents. These may include multiple-choice tests, questions, and/or exercises. Qualification: 23.33. Learning result: C4.
• Laboratory practice (Test 1) — Test carried out in the laboratory during the course on instrumentation management, assembly of electronic circuits, and simulation. The skills acquired in laboratory practices will be evaluated. Qualification: 12.5. Learning results: B13, C4.
• Laboratory practice (Test 2) — Test carried out in the laboratory during the course on instrumentation management, assembly of electronic circuits, and simulation. The skills acquired in laboratory practices will be evaluated. Qualification: 12.5. Learning results: B13, C4.
• Self-assessment — Techniques aimed at collecting data on student participation in proposed self-assessment tests. Qualification: 5.

Other Comments on the Evaluation

1. Ordinary Exam (Continuous Assessment)

A system of continuous assessment will be offered to students following the guidelines of the bachelor’s program and the agreements of the Degree Academic Commission (CAG). Students who take any of the problem/exercise tests or laboratory practice tests are considered to have opted for continuous assessment. Those who do not take these tests may opt for the global assessment. Students who follow continuous assessment but fail the subject may take the global assessment. Students who do not follow continuous assessment and do not take the global assessment will be considered “not presented.”

1.a Self-assessment tests

Professors evaluate the execution of self-assessment tasks. Students receive a score from 0 to 10 (AE).

Final mark for self-assessment:

NAE = 0.05 × AE

1.b Theory

Students complete three exams during the course (PT1, PT2, PT3), consisting of multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and/or problem solving.

• PT1: Topics 1–2 (Block 1)
• PT2: Topics 3–5 (Block 2)
• PT3: Topics 6–8 (Block 3)

Each exam is graded from 0 to 10. The theory exam mark is:

NPT = (NPT1 + NPT2 + NPT3) / 3

Students must obtain at least 3/10 in each exam to pass.

Final theory mark:

NT = 0.7 × NPT

Exams are not recoverable. If a student misses an exam, the mark is 0.

1.c Practical

Attendance at practical sessions is not compulsory.

Students complete two practical tests during the course. Each test is graded from 0 to 10.

Final practical mark:

NP = 0.25 × [(NP1 + NP2) / 2]

Practical tests are not recoverable. If a student misses a test, the mark is 0.

1.d Final mark of the subject

Minimum requirements to pass:

• NT ≥ 2.8 (equivalent to 4/10 in theory)
• NP ≥ 1
• NPT1 ≥ 3, NPT2 ≥ 3, NPT3 ≥ 3

Final mark:

If requirements are met:
NF = NAE + NT + NP

If requirements are not met:
NF = min {4.5 ; NAE + NT + NP}

2. Ordinary Exam (Global Assessment)

Students who did not follow continuous assessment or who failed it may take a final exam.

The final exam includes:

Theoretical part

• Three sections corresponding to the three course blocks.
• Each section graded from 0 to 10.
• Theory mark:

NT = 0.7 × average of the three sections

Requirements:

• NPT1 ≥ 3, NPT2 ≥ 3, NPT3 ≥ 3
• NT ≥ 2.8

Practical part

• Laboratory practical test graded from 0 to 10.

NP = 0.3 × practical exam mark

Requirement:

• NP ≥ 1.2

Students must enroll in advance to take the final exam.

Students who previously followed continuous assessment and failed may take only the theoretical part, the practical part, or both. Marks from continuous assessment may be retained under the specified conditions.

Final mark:

If minimum requirements are met:
NF = NT + NP

Otherwise:
NF = min {4.5 ; NT + NP}

3. Extraordinary Exam

The extraordinary exam has the same format as the global assessment (theory + practical).

Students may take only the theoretical part, the practical part, or both. Marks obtained in the ordinary exam may be retained for the parts not retaken.

The final mark is calculated as described for the global assessment.

The best result between the ordinary and extraordinary exams will be kept.

Students must enroll during the period indicated by the professors.

4. End-of-Program Exam

This exam follows the same format as the extraordinary exam.

5. Validity of Marks

Marks obtained in theoretical and practical parts are valid only for the academic year in which they were obtained.

If cheating is detected, the final mark will be FAIL (0) and the case will be reported to the School Management.