OVERVIEW

The teaching unit provides the basic tools for the analysis of electronic circuits and systems. It represents a crucial moment in the student's formation, as it constitutes the upgrade from linear circuit theory to semiconductor devices and circuitry, having highly nonlinear features. The teaching unit introduces relevant concepts such as smal-signal analysis.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This teaching unit sets, in the learner's progression, the upgrade from linear to non-linear components; the latter ones actually support every modern electronic system. The Course covers basic applications of analogue electronics, and introduces devices and circuits including diodes, bipolar transistors (BJTs) and field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). The central techning objective lies in providing the learner with knowledge about the various device models, together with the abilities to analyze the related circuits.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Providing the student with the basic methods and tools to be able to analyze and design circuits and electronic systems made with discrete components.

Providing specific technical contents:

- Operation of the main electronic components (eg diodes, bipolar transistors, FET transistors, Operational Amplifiers)

- Methods and tools for theoretical analysis, design, and simulation of basic electronic circuits.

Learning results

- Understanding of the operation of the main electronic components (diodes, bipolar transistors, FET transistors, Operational Amplifiers), and their potentialities and limitations in discrete components electronic circuits.

- Ability to analyze and study the behavior of basic electronic circuits also by using a circuit simulator.

- Ability to design basic electronic circuits starting from project specifications.

PREREQUISITES

- Basic knowledge of Mathematics and Physics

- Foundations of Circuit Theory

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching is provided through lectures of a theoretical nature and others in which the resolution of exercises is presented i.e. it illustrates how to apply the teaching contents to analysis and design problems. The use of the circuit simulator (i.e. SPICE) for the analysis of the operation of transistor circuits will be illustrated.
The teaching material can be found on the teaching site on Aulaweb.
Students are strongly encouraged to actively use the teaching discussion forum to ask for explanations and clarifications, both on topics of a theoretical nature of teaching and on carrying out exercises.
Attendance at the lessons is strongly recommended.
Self-assessment tests are offered.

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 teacher and 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

- Introduction to semiconductor physics.

- Structure and operation of electronic components: diodes, bipolar transistors, FET transistors, Operational Amplifiers.

- General techniques of analysis and design of electronic circuits in static and dynamic conditions.

- Electronic circuit operation, analysis and design, e.g. e.g. signal amplifiers, differential amplifiers.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reference material

- Slides and course material in pdf electronic format.

Bibliography (exhaustive, not necesary for the Course learning but useful as future reference)

- Horowitz, Hill - L'Arte dell'Elettronica, Zanichelli

- Sedra, Smith,  Circuiti per la  Microelettronica, ed. Edises.

- Jaeger, Blalock, Microelettronica, ed. McGraw Hill.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/9273/studenti-orario 

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written test .

Students with specific learning disabilities (DSA) will be allowed to adopt specific methods and supports that will be established on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the Delegate of the Engineering courses in the Commission for the inclusion of students with disabilities.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written test is organized in two parts. Part A consists of questions that concern all the subjects of the teaching and allow to evaluate the theoretical knowledge acquired. Part B consists of circuit analysis/design problems of reduced complexity, to be solved on the basis of the specifications provided, and has the purpose of evaluating the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solving circuit problems.

The following are evaluated: the acquisition of the concepts presented in the teaching, the ability to apply these concepts to the resolution of circuit analysis/design exercises and the student's reasoning ability.

The exam is not passed when the training objectives have not been achieved; in this case the student is invited to deepen the study.