Engineering and design

Electronic Circuit & Systems Design

Module code: H7076
Level 5
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Laboratory, Practical, Lecture
Assessment modes: Unseen examination, Coursework

Electronic Circuit & Systems Design builds on the first-year modules in electronics and provides you with an introduction into the design and analysis of the most common analog circuits. These circuits are of increasing importance to enable computers and other digital systems to communicate with our purely analog world.

You’ll explore how single components (such as diodes, resistors or transistors) can be biased and connected to form functional blocks. This forms the foundation to realise circuits such as amplifiers, filters and converters for different application, including wireless communication, signal processing and audio drivers.

Additionally, you will learn how to simulate, build and characterise various circuits using state of the art equipment and simulation software in our practical sessions. You’ll also look at techniques to design more complex systems.

This module will enable you to design and fabricate a complex electronic system based on the specifications provided by a customer or the technical requirement of a research/development project.

Topics include:

  • semiconductor devices: Diodes, field effect transistors, bipolar transistors
  • biasing and small signal analysis: Transistors, circuits
  • basic amplifiers: Gain, phase
  • impedance, matching and transmission lines
  • operational amplifiers: Circuit configurations, digital to analog converters
  • power amplifiers and devices: Efficiency, and distortion
  • thermal analysis: Heat sinks and stability
  • oscillators and other communication circuits
  • active filters: Frequency domain analysis, gain, and phase
  • non-idealities: Gain-bandwidth product, and common mode rejection
  • systems design: Bottom-up, top-down, computer aided design
  • coursework: Design project of a small analogue circuit, building and testing.

Pre-requisite

Electrical Circuits and Devices,
Electromechanics,
Electronic Devices and Circuit Prototyping

Module learning outcomes

  • Apply knowledge of mathematics and engineering principles to critically compare practical results from active electronic circuits, with theory and simulations
  • Design and analyse active circuits using engineering priciples to account and evaluate the non-ideal behaviour of electronic devices, considering datasheets and industry standard practices
  • Use practical laboratory skills to critically evaluate a circuit design against a specification working as a member of an inclusive team
  • Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment to design, build and test active electronic circuits