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

Aims: the teaching unit provides students with the basic methods and tools to analyze and design circuits and electronic systems made with discrete components. The aims of the teaching unit include:

- the 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;

- the ability to analyse the behavior of basic electronic circuits;

- the ability to apply methods and tools for the theoretical analysis, the design, and the simulation of analogue electronic circuits.

Learning results: at the end of the teaching unit the student will be able:

- to design basic electronic circuits starting from project specifications;

- to formulate a critical evaluation of the possible design solutions;

- to justify circuit design choices;

- to interpret simulation outcomes.

PREREQUISITES

- Basic knowledge of Mathematics and Physics

- Foundations of Circuit Theory

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching unit includes 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 a circuit simulator (i.e. LTSpice) for the analysis of the operation of transistor circuits will be illustrated.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend lectures, to contact the teacher for any explanation and clarification. 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/11911/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 valid certifications for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), disabilities, or other educational needs may request compensatory and/or exemption measures for the exam. The procedures will be defined on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the University Regulations, in consultation with the instructor and the School's Disability and SLD Coordinator.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written test is organized in two sections. Section A includes questions covering all the subjects of the teaching, and allows to evaluate the theoretical knowledge acquired. Section B consists of circuit analysis/design problems of reduced complexity, to be solved on the basis of the specifications provided, and aims to evaluate the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solving circuit problems.

The following aspects 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.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The teaching support of this unit relies on the AulaWeb platform to make available teaching material and lesson handouts.

Please contact the teacher for any additional information not covered by the unit documentation.