OVERVIEW

This module provides the theoretical and experimental basis for understanding, analyzing and designing electronic circuits and electronic systems that make use of bipolar, field-effect transistors, and operational amplifiers. Moreover, experimental aspects will be addressed by lab sessions in which simple circuits will be simulated, assembled and tested.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Providing the necessary elements to tackle the problems related with the design and testing of electronic devices and circuits Comprehend the different issues related to the development of electronic circuits including circuit design, implementation methodologies and lab testing, Develop simple projects starting from given specifications.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to analyze, design, implement, and experimentally validate analog electronic circuits. Particular emphasis is placed on operational amplifier circuits, analog building blocks, laboratory measurements, and experimental verification. At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• analyze and design analog electronic circuits based on operational amplifiers and transistor building blocks;
• develop hardware solutions from given specifications and verify their functionality and performance through laboratory measurements;
• critically evaluate experimental results by comparing theoretical predictions, simulations, and laboratory measurements;
• compare alternative design solutions and justify the adopted design choices;
• prepare clear and complete technical documentation describing the design process and experimental results.

PREREQUISITES

It is advisable to have taken the exams in Circuit Theory and Electronics.

TEACHING METHODS

Classroom lectures

Laboratory sessions: creation of sample circuits in groups (preferably with two students)  drafting a summary report (to be assessed during the exam).

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), disabilities, or other educational needs are invited to contact the teacher and the School Disability Coordinator at the beginning of the teaching unit to discuss possible teaching methods that, while respecting the teaching unit objectives, take into account individual learning styles. The contact details of the School Disability Coordinator are available at the following link: University Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities or SLD | UniGe | University of Genoa.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The program is organized into the following main topics:

• Operational amplifiers: equivalent models, internal architecture, and static and dynamic characteristics.
• Fundamental analog building blocks, including current mirrors, differential pairs, common-emitter, common-base, and common-collector stages.
• Linear and non-linear applications of operational amplifiers, including amplifiers, integrators, differentiators, summing amplifiers, current-to-voltage and voltage-to-current converters, comparators, and Schmitt triggers.
• Square-wave, triangular-wave, and sinusoidal oscillators.
• Frequency response, feedback stability, and basic design considerations.
• Laboratory instrumentation and experimental characterization of analog electronic circuits.

Since Electronics constitutes the main "discipline" on which the development of information technologies (ICT) in recent decades and will be so for the future has been based, training expert electronic engineers will allow society to possess the necessary knowledge to the application of these technologies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.

As an example, we can mention the development of advanced and low-cost systems for:

• monitoring of climate, crops, breeding, food distribution chains. (Ob. 2.4)
• road monitoring, vehicular active safety systems, assisted driving systems, etc. (Ob. 3.6)
• diagnostics (MRI, US, RX, etc.), therapy (e.g. electroceutics), prosthetics and rehabilitation (Ob. 3.d)
• environmental monitoring to facilitate the mitigation of risks associated with natural phenomena (floods, fires, etc.) (Ob. 13.1)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

•  Lecture notes provided by the teacher.
• A.S. Sedra and K.C. Smith, Microlectronic circuits, Oxford University Press, 7th edition, 2014.

The teaching materials are also considered appropriate for students with learning disabilities. If different materials or methods are needed, students are encouraged to contact the instructor.

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

Assessment consists of a written examination, together with the evaluation of laboratory activities and the corresponding laboratory reports.

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

Assessment of the learning outcomes is based on:

• a written examination, aimed at assessing the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and the ability to analyze and design electronic circuits;
• laboratory activities, assessed through the observation of students' experimental work during laboratory sessions and the evaluation of the corresponding laboratory reports, in order to verify their ability to implement and test electronic circuits, critically evaluate experimental results, and prepare appropriate technical documentation.

FURTHER INFORMATION

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