CE163-4-AP-NW:
Foundations of Electronics I
2020/21
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Northwest University
Autumn & Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 08 October 2020
Friday 26 March 2021
15
30 October 2020
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
CE216, CE266
BSC H60E Electronic System Engineering,
BSC H60ECO Electronic System Engineering
This module is one of two concerned with scientific and engineering foundations on which electronics is based. From basic ideas, the main principles of electronics are built up so that they can be used in the wider study of electronics to solve problems.
The aim of this module is to introduce electronic components based on physical principles that relate voltage, current flow and the storage or loss of energy. All the theory we need to learn about how circuits behave is based on the fact that electric charge cannot be created or destroyed, and that the energy of each electron just depends on where it is, and how fast it is moving. How charges move in materials depends on their crystal structures. From basic ideas, the main principles of electronics are built up so that they can be used in the wider study of electronics to solve problems.
After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:
1. Apply dimensional analysis to electrical units and formulae
2. Apply analysis of electric fields to explain capacitance
3. Explain the basic properties of conductors, insulators and semiconductors
4. Apply concepts such as Thévenin and Norton sources to resistor networks
5. Apply a systematic method such as mesh or nodal analysis
6. Apply the force laws in electric and magnetic fields
Outline Syllabus
• Use of physical units; the MKSA system of units
• Charges and Fields; Electric fields due to charges; conservation of charge. Potential and electrical energy.
• Principles of conservation and Kirchhoff laws as basis for electrical theory; Networks with sources: Thevenin and Norton theorems. Matrix description of a network
• Series and parallel circuit paths;
• Charge mobility in materials, electrical current as collective charge motion. Concept of resistance, and Ohms law for linear materials; conductance; series and parallel combinations. Basic electrical measurements
• Introduction to semiconductor devices; diodes and bipolar transistors and basic transistor amplifiers
Lectures and Laboratories
- Meade, Russell L; Diffenderfer, Robert. (c2007) Foundations of electronics: circuits and devices, Conventional flow version, Clifton Park, NJ: Thomson Delmar Learning.
- Floyd, Thomas L.; Buchla, David. (2014) Electronics fundamentals: circuits, devices, and applications, Harlow, Essex: Pearson.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Progress Test |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Lab Report 1 |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Lab Report 2 |
|
30% |
| Coursework |
Lab Report 3 |
|
30% |
| Exam |
Main exam: 140 minutes during Autumn Special
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Xinruo Zhang, email: xinruo.zhang@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Xinruo Zhang
School Office, email: csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770
No
No
No
Dr Xu Wang
Heriot-Watt University
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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