Aims and Fit of Module

To understand how electronic circuits are designed. To understand fundamental electronic devices - diodes and transistors, and how transistors are used in design and analysis of amplifier and switching circuits. To understand how electronic devices can be represented by simple, linear equivalent circuits. To show how complex circuits can be sub-divided into building blocks and these blocks in turn represented by linear equivalent circuits which can be analysed using standard circuit techniques. To understand the interaction between the building blocks to allow estimation of important systems parameters such as gain, input output resistance etc. To appreciate the importance of negative feedback in improving electronic systems performance and tolerance.

Learning outcomes

A. Demonstrate understanding of the behaviour, important properties, equivalent circuit representations and applications of diodes and transistors. B. Obtain and be able to use the basic knowledge of transistor amplifier characteristics (small signal transistor amplifier circuit, current mirror, high frequency limitation, amplifier type and feedback topology, and Miller effect). C. Analyse transistor amplifier building blocks and output characteristics. D. Analyse transistor amplifier performance and its circuit-level stability. E. Integrate transistor amplifier circuit to multi stage amplifier topology. F. Construct transistor amplifier circuit.

Method of teaching and learning

This module will be delivered by a combination of formal lectures, seminars and laboratory works.