Programme And Module Handbook
 
Course Details in 2023/24 Session


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Module Title LI Electronics
SchoolPhysics and Astronomy
Department Physics & Astronomy
Module Code 03 17489
Module Lead Dr Laura Gonella
Level Intermediate Level
Credits 10
Semester Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions BSc/MSci Physics (option), Physics & Space Research (compulsory), Physics with Particle Physics & Cosmology (option), Theoretical Physics (option). Also available to Natural Science students.
Contact Hours Lecture-24 hours
Guided independent study-76 hours
Total: 100 hours
Exclusions
Description

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.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module the student should:

  • Understand the concept of complex impedance.
  • Be able to derive the transfer function of simple circuits.
  • Be able to draw and derive information from Bode plots.
  • Know the basic characteristics of an operational amplifier.
  • Appreciate the advantages and potential problems of negative feedback.
  • Be able to study the behaviour of some common op-amp circuits.
  • Be able to use Bode plots to determine the stability of amplifier circuits.
  • Be able to design an oscillator using the concept of positive feedback.
  • Know the physical origin of different types of noise and the techniques used to remove them.
  • Understand the problems associated with digitising an analogue signal.
  • Recognise the need for anti-aliasing and anti-imaging filters in DSP applications.
  • Be able to write any number in binary or hexadecimal form.
  • Be aware of error handling and correction.
  • Have a firm grounding of basic logic gates and their applications.
  • Be able to perform and manipulate basic Boolean algebra.
  • Be able to design logic to perform simple functions.
  • Be able to use Karnaugh maps to simplify Boolean functions.
  • Be aware of different types of flip-flops and their applications.
Assessment 17489-01 : Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (80%)
17489-02 : Assessed problems : Coursework (20%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions Coursework (20%); 1.5 hour Examination (80%)
Other
Reading List