48520 Electronics and Circuits
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2020 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 48510 Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering AND 33130 Mathematical Modelling 1
Recommended studies:
basic physics and single-variable calculus are essential for this subject, as well as a basic understanding of electrical circuits and their analysis
Description
The main objective of this subject is to familiarise students with basic electronic circuits, mainly with op-amps as active elements, and their applications. By the end of the subject, students should have acquired reasonable proficiency in the analysis of basic electronic circuits and be able to build and test circuits in the laboratory. Particular emphasis is placed on the practical, hands-on aspect of electronics to provide a solid foundation of working knowledge for basic analog electronic circuits using op-amps. Laboratory work is a significant proportion of in-class delivery so as to make students proficient in circuit construction, testing, troubleshooting and to give them a sound knowledge of the use of test instruments. Another objective is to show that practical electronic applications are relevant to other engineering and technical disciplines and may often be placed within a wider social or commercial context.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Perform the DC, AC and transient analyses of simple passive and active linear circuits. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Analyse and design basic electronic circuits with operational amplifiers (op-amps) as active elements. |
| 3. | Identify various op-amp circuit topologies and their applications. |
| 4. | Build, test and troubleshoot basic analogue passive circuits and electronic circuits containing op-amps using appropriate laboratory equipment. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their performance to improve themselves, their teams, and the broader community and society. (F.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Students are required to undertake independent learning before attending timetabled activities.
Independent Learning
UTSOnline
Students are required to study UTSOnline material. This includes:
- reading the Topic Notes and undertaking the associated problems
- watching videos that develop key ideas slowly with illustrated examples that emphasise the practical applications of the theory
- engaging with other Open Educational Resources via hyperlinks
Textbooks
Students are required to read the relevant sections of the textbooks and undertake relevant exercises and problems.
WebTutor
WebTutor is custom-written software that presents students with exercises based on the subject topics. The exercises are unique, as they are randomly generated by WebTutor each time an exercise is viewed. Students are able to practice questions on a topic as many times as they like. This allows students to focus on a particular topic, to pace their learning, and to obtain immediate feedback on their efforts. Online help is available for most exercises from within WebTutor. Students are encouraged to consult the WebTutor questions each week during Tutorial sessions (see the paragraph of Tutorial for detailed arrangements).
Open Lab
The laboratory is made available to students for out-of-class learning. Students, in groups of two, are encouraged to undertake the laboratories before the timetabled activity. This allows students to:
- practice using the laboratory equipment to achieve a basic level of proficiency
- gain skill in circuit construction, testing, and troubleshooting
- learn at their own pace so they understand the circuits before being assessed
Timetabled Activities
Tutorial
There is generally one 2-hour tutorial every week (1 hour for solving tutorial questions, and 1 hour for consulting WebTutor questions).
Prior to the tutorial, students attempt the problems posted on UTSOnline for each tutorial session. At the beginning of the tutorial, the tutor will discuss with the entire group the principles underlying the problem set, and any challenges they are facing. Students then work on particular selected problems in groups of around 8-10 students. The tutor is then available to assist each group or individual and will facilitate collaborative discussions amongst the group where needed. The tutorials are meant to be only partially directed by the tutor - most of the time the tutor will be addressing the needs of individual groups and students, but occasionally the tutor may address the whole class if a particular key concept needs to be revised or elaborated on. Fully-worked solutions to a subset of the selected problems are available after the tutorials have been conducted - this allows students to form their own solutions independently of a 'model answer', and then check whether their approach to the solution was correct, or could be improved upon.
Laboratory
There is generally one 2-hour laboratory every week.
The subject places a particular emphasis on the practical, hands-on aspects of electronics and circuits. Students are required to purchase an electronics kit and work in groups of two. Each lab involves the construction and testing of several circuits that are used in real applications. Some of the circuits involve elements of design. The aim is for students to become proficient in moving from theory to practice. The recording, graphing and interpretation of practical results, and how they compare with theory, is also practised. During the lab, students can seek assistance from a lab tutor in relation to the experimental procedure, the expected results, and the use of the equipment. At the end of each lab session, a lab tutor will assess the lab work and provide immediate feedback.
Content (topics)
Definitions and Experimental Laws, Op-Amps and Basic Amplifiers, Circuit Analysis Techniques, Linear Op-Amp Applications, Reactive Components, Diodes and Basic Diode Circuits, Source-free RC and RL Circuits, Nonlinear Op-Amp Applications, First-Order Step Response, Op-Amp Imperfections, The Phasor Concept, Circuit Simulation, The Sinusoidal Steady-State Response, Amplifier Models, Frequency Response, First-Order Op-Amp Filters, Second-Order Step Response, Waveform Generation, Second-Order Frequency Response, Second-Order Op-Amp Filters, Complex Frequency, Specialty Amplifiers, Transfer Functions, Sensor Signal Conditioning, System Modelling.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: WebTutor Exercises
| Intent: | To spread the learning load evenly throughout the session; to test students' understanding of basic electronics concepts and provide timely feedback. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
Assessment task 2: Labs
| Intent: | To make students proficient in circuit construction, testing and troubleshooting, and to give them sound knowledge of the use of test instruments. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 3: Quiz
| Intent: | To assess the depth of understanding of the operation and ability to analyse the basic electronic circuits. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 5% |
| Length: | 2 hours |
Assessment task 4: Final Exam
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 2 hours plus 10 minutes reading time |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
McLean, P., 48520 Electronics and Circuits Topic Notes, UTS, 2017.
Hayt, W.H., Kemmerly, J.E. and Durbin, S.M., Engineering Circuit Analysis, 8th Ed., McGraw-Hill, 2012, ISBN 978-0-07-352957-8
Hambley, A.R., Electrical Engineering: Principles and Applications 6th Ed., Pearson Prentice Hall, 2014. ISBN 978-0-273-79325-0
Recommended texts
Sedra, A.S. and Smith, K.C., Microelectronic Circuits, 6th Ed. Oxford University Press, 2010.
Other resources
U:PASS
UTS Peer Assisted Study Success is a voluntary “study session” where you will be studying the subject with other students in a group. It is led by a student who has previously achieved a distinction or high distinction in the subject area, and who has a good WAM. Leaders will prepare activities for you to work on in groups based on the content you are learning in lectures and tutorials. It’s really relaxed, friendly, and informal. Because the leader is a student just like you, they understand what it’s like to study the subject and how to do well, and they can pass those tips along to you. Students also say it’s a great way to meet new people and a “guaranteed study hour”.
You can sign up for U:PASS sessions via U:PASS website http://tinyurl.com/upass2017 Note that sign up is not open until week 2, as it’s voluntary and only students who want to go should sign up.
If you have any questions or concerns about U:PASS, please contact Georgina at upass@uts.edu.au, or check out the website.