This module presents the learner with the knowledge and understanding of the theory, design criteria, test and typical applications, of diodes, bipolar devices and op-amps. This information will enable the student to design, analyse and troubleshoot the analogue circuits using these devices including DC power supplies.
Review of Basic Electrical Quantities, Network Theorems, AC Signals and Ethics
Ohm’s law, series circuits, and parallel circuits. Kirchoff’s voltage and current laws. Basic AC signal analysis including: cycle, period, frequency and amplitude. Ethical considerations.
Introduction to Semiconductors
Structure of an atom. Types of semiconductor materials. Covalent bonding. Electron current and hole current. N-Type and P-Type semiconductors. Characteristics of a forward and reverse biased PN Junction.
Diode Theory
Characteristics of bias, analysis of operation, diode approximations, typical circuits, and applications of rectifier diodes. Characteristics of bias, analysis of operation, typical circuits, and applications of special purpose diodes including: zener diodes, light emitting diodes (LED’s), and photodiodes. Troubleshooting of diodes.
Rectification
Introduction to the transformer operation and use in DC power supplies. Half wave rectifier.Full wave bridge rectifier. Filtering the output from either a half wave or full wave bridge rectifier using a capacitor filter. Voltage regulation using a zener diode. Fault finding and diagnosis of rectifier circuits.
Bipolar Devices
Structure of Bipolar Junction Transistors BJT’s: NPN and PNP junctions. Relationships between transistor voltages and currents, DC current gain DC. The BJT as a switch. Fault finding and diagnosis of a BJT device and BJT switch circuits.
Amplification Using Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT’s)
DC biasing of a BJT for operation as an amplifier. Voltage divider bias. BJT Class A amplifier: Transistor characteristics curves, cutoff and saturation, DC load line and Q point. Signal (ac) operation of an amplifier and signal voltage gain of an amplifier. The common-emitter amplifier.
Op-Amps
Introduction to the op-amp, including simple applications i.e voltage follower, summing amplifiers, scaling amplifiers, averaging amplifiers etc. Fault finding and diagnosis op-amps.
The module is delivered through a series of lectures, laboratory activities as well as student self-directed learning including assessment activities.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 50 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 50 |