The module discusses the basic principles of analogue and digital electronics. It is important to recognise that it is analogue electronics that often provides the interface between a measuring device and the physical world. Therefore the first stage of an electronics circuit is to preserve and amplify a signal faithfully with minimal distortion. When we digitise an analogue signal we trade in our continuous physical signal for one in which only certain values are allowed. This sacrifices some information, but comes with some major advantages, such as errorless data transmission. Digital electronics is at the very heart of the telecommunications revolution that has given us the digital computer, the Internet and, more recently, digital radio and television. The analogue part of the course focuses on the frequency response of simple circuits and on the versatility of operational amplifiers. We shall investigate the advantages and potential problems of negative feedback. We will also look at the problem of noise and signal recovery and the problems associated with the process of analogue-to-digital conversion. Uses of digital electronics ranges from small-scale tasks possible with just a few logic gates up to the complexity of large computer farms. This section starts with an introduction to binary arithmetic, logic gates and the laws of Boolean algebra. Techniques for designing and improving logic are then introduced and illustrated with examples. Various types of logic families will be discussed together with how to make logic gates from semiconductors. Finally, the various types of devices and flip-flops and their applications are explored. |