OVERVIEW

This course aims to provide basic elements of electrical circuit theory (resistive elements and networks, transient and steady-state analysis of elementary first-order and second-order linear circuits, analysis of some circuit properties in periodical steady-state conditions) and to apply them to examples. To this end, concepts coming from Mathematics, Physics and Geometry are applied to circuits, thus consolidating their knowledge. This course bridges basic scientific topics and pillars of ICT engineering such as system theory, signal processing, and electronics.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The unit provides fundamentals of circuit theory. The main goal is to make the student able to analyze a linear time-invariant circuit: transient analysis, DC regime, AC regime, and periodic (non-AC) regime. The module topics build a bridge between Mathematics/Physics and more technical disciplines and help the student to familiarize with the scientific fundamentals of Engineering.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims

•  to build a common language suitable to talk about circuits

•  to provide basic knowledge about the analysis of linear circuits

•  consolidate knowledges of Mathematics, Physics and Geometry by applying them to physical systems (circuits)

•  to illustrate through examples how to apply the theory

•  to stimulate the student's communication skills by encouraging an active participation to the classrooms

•  to help the student to develop independent study skills

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of this course, the student should be able to:

•  understand and correctly use the technical language for the description of circuits

•  understand the basic principles of circuit analysis, suitably applying background knowledge of Mathematics, Physics, and Geometry (e.g., to write correctly the topological and descriptive equations of a circuit)

•  apply these principles to analyse linear circuits in different situations and working conditions (resistive circuits, dynamical linear time-invariant circuits in transient conditions and at stationary/DC, sinusoidal/AC, and periodic non-sinusoidal steady state)

•  for a given problem, decide which theoretical tools can (or must) be used to solve it. The capacity of solving non-trivial problems is one of the main elements of the scientific cultural baggage of an engineer.

•  demonstrate his/her own knowledge and comprehension of the course topics by solving assigned problems and discussing them with the teacher

•  justify his/her choices of models and methods (mainly during the written part of the exam)

•  be able to study autonomously on the recommended reading/bibliography

PREREQUISITES

Basic concepts of mathematics and physics: derivatives and integrals of real functions; elementary linear differential equations; vectors, matrices, systems of algebraic equations; complex numbers; power and energy.

TEACHING METHODS

About 60 classroom hours, consisting of teacher-led demonstrations and presentation of examples at the blackboard. Attending the classrooms is strongly recommended, as well as an active participation. Some lessons will include demos with circuit prototypes aimed to compare theory and practice. During the course many exercises are proposed for self-evaluation. During other practice lessons (with elective participation), these and other exercises and examples are solved by a tutor.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the teacher and the School's contact person for disability at the beginning of teaching to agree on possible teaching arrangements that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning patterns. Contacts of the School's disability contact person can be found at the following link Comitato di Ateneo per l’inclusione delle studentesse e degli studenti con disabilità o con DSA | UniGe | Università di Genova

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Fundamentals of circuit theory (circuit elements; models; elementary electrical variables; graphs and circuits; Kirchhoff's laws; Tellegen's theorem).

Two-terminal resistive elements and elementary circuits (significant two-terminal elements; Thévenin-Norton models; concept of electrical power; series and parallel connections).

Linear resistive two-ports and elementary circuits (six representations and properties; significant two-port elements; cascade, series and parallel connections).

General resistive circuits (Tableau analysis; superposition and substitution theorems; Thévenin-Norton theorems).

Elementary dynamical circuits (significant circuit elements; concept of state; transient and stationary steady-state solutions of first-order circuits with various sources: constant, piecewise-constant, impulsive; stability; generalizations to second- and higher-order circuits).

Sinusoidal steady-state analysis (phasors and sinusoidal solutions; phasor formulations of circuit equations; impedance and admittance of two-terminal elements; sinusoidal steady-state solutions; active, reactive and complex powers).

Periodical steady-state analysis (analysis of circuits with many sinusoidal inputs; periodical signals and Fourier series; mean value; RMS value theorem).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Course textbooks:

- M. Parodi, M. Storace, Linear and Nonlinear Circuits: Basic & Advanced Concepts, Vol. 1, Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, Springer, 2017, ISBN: 978-3-319-61234-8 (ebook) or 978-3-319-61233-1 (hardcover), doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-61234-8.

- M. Parodi, M. Storace, Linear and Nonlinear Circuits: Basic & Advanced Concepts, Vol. 2, Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, Springer, 2020, ISBN: 978-3-030-35044-4 (ebook) or 978-3-030-35043-7 (hardcover), doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-35044-4.

Other references:

- L.O. Chua, C.A. Desoer, E.S. Kuh, Circuiti lineari e non lineari, Jackson, Milano, 1991.

- C.K. Alexander, M.N.O. Sadiku, Circuiti elettrici (3A edizione), MacGraw-Hill, Milano, 2008.

- M. de Magistris, G. Miano, Circuiti, Springer, Milano, 2007.

- G. Biorci, Fondamenti di elettrotecnica: circuiti, UTET, Torino, 1984.

- V. Daniele, A. Liberatore, S. Manetti, D. Graglia, Elettrotecnica, Monduzzi, Bologna, 1994.

- M. Repetto, S. Leva, Elettrotecnica, CittàStudi, Torino, 2014.

The above textbooks should be suitable also for students with valid certifications for SLDs, disabilities or other educational needs. Otherwise, these students are invited to contact the teacher.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See

https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/index.php?view=easycourse&_lang=it&include=corso

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written + oral. The exam dates can be found on the Online Services of UniGe, in the Students section, under Exam Bookings. Additional oral exam dates are set at the beginning of the official oral exams, by agreeing them with the attending students.

The exam consists of a written test and an oral test. The written test is worth a maximum of 28 points. To be admitted to the oral test, a minimum score of 12 points is required, including at least 3 points in a subset of exercises that assess knowledge of essential topics.

The oral test involves a reasoned discussion of the written test, during which the student must demonstrate a mastery of the subject matter, excluding proofs. The final grade is determined by both tests, and the oral discussion may lead to an increase or decrease (up to a maximum of 4 points, in either direction) in the score obtained in the written test.

If the score of the oral test is negative or the overall grade is insufficient (< 18), a second oral test must be taken. This test covers the entire syllabus, including proofs, and its score (maximum 30) is averaged with the grade obtained in the previous tests. This second oral test is optional in all other cases.

Students with SLDs will be allowed to use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The learning outcomes are graded based on the student's capacity of:

•  properly communicating his/her own thoughts, by evidencing an at least sufficient knowledge of the course topics and using a suitable language (communication skills, which are evaluated in particular during the oral part of the exam)

•  choosing and properly using the models and the methods introduced during the course to analyse different kinds of circuits in different working conditions (see "Aims and learning outcomes"), by justifying the choices made and using knowledge in partially new situations (autonomy and independence of judgment and capacity of synthesis, which are evaluated in particular during the written part of the exam)

•  demonstrating his/her knowledge and comprehension of the course topics by solving exercises and discussing them with the examination board (in the case of a single oral exam)

•  demonstrating his/her knowledge and comprehension of the course topics by correctly reproducing theorems, methods, models shown by the teacher during the course, discussing them with the examination board, and drawing connections among ideas (in the case of the second oral exam).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, are invited to read in advance the University regulation for the inclusion and right to study of students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (DSA).