module specification

The module is designed to introduce the most common electronics devices and their applications in small-scale systems.  The module is divided into two broad sections of analogue and digital electronics.  The module is based on formal seminar/lecture sessions followed by comprehensive practicals/tutorials in both areas which provide an opportunity for students to gain experience in using and applying the laboratory’s test and measurement equipments/simulators.

The aims of the module are as follows:
1. To familiarise students with electronic components, standard laboratory test and measurement equipments, their usage in designing/analysing, building, and testing basic electrical/electronic circuits.
2. To introduce students to circuit simulation software and develop an awareness of its strengths and limitations
3. To introduce students to the basic electronics and measurement techniques through practical approach and provide scope for putting theory into practice and develop investigation/analysis skills that exemplify core electrical and measuring principles relevant to the course.
4. To develop the ability to write a well-structured, concise and thoughtful logbook / report / poster.
5. To develop the ability to work independently as well as in team

Analogue Electronics:
Laboratory skills: Operation and usage of Digital multimeter, Power supply, Waveform generator, Oscilloscope, Breadboard, Soldering iron, Cutters & Pliers and Health and safety.
Introduction and review of SI units, Components: resistors (R), capacitors (C) and inductors (L)and their basic operational characteristics.
Analogue filters: R, L and C based simple passive filters, Types and applications.
Semiconductors & Diodes: Conduction in semiconductors, N-type and P-type semiconductors, The PN junction diode, Biasing, Voltage-current characteristics, Diode model and operation, Diode applications: half-wave rectifier, full-wave rectifier, Zener diode for voltage regulation, basic power supply
Transistors: Bipolar junction transistor (BJT), Field-effect transistor (FET) and Metal oxide semiconductor FET (MOSFET), Basic operation, biasing, switch and amplifier.
Operational Amplifier (Op-Amp): Ideal and practical representation with typical parameters, Non-inverting and inverting modes, Frequency response & Gain bandwidth product.
Digital Electronics:
Digital vs. Analogue, Number systems and number base conversions, Signed and unsigned binary number representation, 1’s and 2’s complement methods, Binary arithmetic.
Logic gates& truth tables, Characteristics of logic gates, Minimizations of logic expressions using Boolean algebra and Karnaugh-maps, Analysis and synthesis of simple digital circuits from minimization.
Operation and design standard combinational logic devices (e.g. arithmetic functions, multiplexers, demultiplexers, comparators, decoders and encoders, code converters)
High level introduction to sequential logic components (latched, flip-flips, registers, counters)
Astable and monostable multivibrators and IC 555.

The module is usually delivered once a weekly in 3-hours session.  The material is delivered through a series of introductory formal lectures. The module is heavily supported with formal laboratory sessions in line with module aims and learning objectives. Students work individually (logbook) and in groups (Group Design) during the laboratory sessions. Students are encouraged to keep a logbook for reflective learning. All module material including teaching plan, lecture notes, laboratory handouts, progress / sample tests and up to date reading lists are made available through University’s VLE - Weblearn. Formal lectures provide the theoretical base for the subject. Laboratories enable students to develop their practical and team working skills. Office hours are made available for one to one problem solving and some directed independent learning. 

On successful completion of this module, students should be able:
LO1.To understand the Ohms law and its applications in finding voltage, current, resistance and power  in simple circuits using theoretical calculations and laboratory equipment;
LO2:To understand the operational behaviour of passive components R, C and L and their uses in simple analogue filters;
LO3:To explain the fundamentals of semiconductors and their use in diodes and transistors;
LO4.To design simple amplifiers using transistors and/or operational amplifiers;
LO5.To design and analyse combinational logic circuits using logic gates
LO6.To gain practical experience of designing, building, testing and debugging of simple circuits using common laboratory equipments and circuit simulation softwares;
LO7.To develop study skills such as reflective learning, logbook keeping, word processing, accessing learning resources including library facilities, effective communication and critical thinking.
LO8: To work independently and in groups and appreciate key aspects of engineering design cycle including health and safety, environment and sustainability.

The module is assessed coursework and tests/exams:

Learning Reflection Essay and Progress Test(s) (20%):  As part of PISO Action 2017-18, students will submit a “Learning Reflection Essay” in week 6 based on the feedback received from all Level - 4 modules. A series of progress tests over the year is mainly formative in nature and contributes to a small percentage of module marks as continuous assessment. This reflective assessment will only be taken into consideration if student has attempted other two end-of-the-year assessments. (LO7 in part).

Group Case-study & Logbook (50%): In first semester, students undertake a series of core laboratory activities that are recorded individually by all students in their logbooks. The laboratory work provides a sound base for second semester’s Group Case-study where a group of 4 or 5 students are encouraged to go through the engineering design cycle for a given problem. Students are offered catch up sessions and are also encouraged to use Wednesday’s open access laboratory in order to complete the missing laboratory work before final submission deadline (LO6 to 8)

Final Exam (30%) This final comprehensive exam assesses the depth and breadth of the theoretical grasp of various building blocks of analogue and digital circuits (LO1 to 5).

 Tom Duncan (2008), Electronics for today and tomorrow, BPB Publications. [CORE]
 Mitchel E. Schultz (2015), Grob's Basic Electronics (12 th ed), McGraw-Hill Education. [CORE]
 Keith Brindley (2011), Starting Electronics, Newnes.
 Cathleen Shamieh (2015), Electronics for Dummies (3rd ed), John Wiley & Sons.
 Neil Storey (2017), Electronics: A Systems Approach (6 th ed), Pearson.
 Albert Paul Malvino and David J. Bates (2015), Electronic Principles (8th ed),McGraw-Hill Education.
 Thomas L. Floyd (2013), Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Pearson Education Limited.
 Thomas L Floyd (2015), Digital fundamentals (11 th ed), Pearson.
 Owen Bishop (2011), Electronics - Circuits and Systems (4 th ed), Newnes.
 David Crecraft (2003), David Gorham, Electronics (2 nd ed), CRC Press.