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PHY308

Electronics I

  • Sciences
  • 300 level
  • 2 credit units
  • 312 pages
  • 15 units

This course introduces Amplifiers, Oscillators, Power supply and Linear Integrated Circuits. It covers their parameters, characteristics and physical limitations. The course also acquaints students with mathematical calculations and practical approximations of idealized theorems, enabling them to establish their practicable applications and indispensability in the real world. Students will learn about amplifier classifications, feedback mechanisms in oscillators, power supply design, and the applications of operational amplifiers.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
150 hours
Maths
Intermediate
Content
Theoretical, problem solving
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assignments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

PHY308 · UNIT 1 CLASSIFICATION OF AMPLIFIERS

Module 4 LINEAR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS represents the catalyst of contemporary electronics revolution through miniaturisation which has been largely responsible for the Communication revolution, the Information revolution and the Social revolution brought about by such technologies as the GSM, Computers and Satellite technologies.

What you should be able to do

  1. Define and classify different types of amplifiers.
  2. Analyze transistor equivalent circuits and configurations.
  3. Design and analyze oscillator circuits using feedback principles.
  4. Understand the principles of power supply design and voltage regulation.
  5. Apply operational amplifiers in various applications.
  6. Troubleshoot basic electronic circuits.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Electronics Technician
  • Circuit Designer
  • Instrumentation Engineer
  • Control Systems Engineer
  • Telecommunications Engineer
Where it is applied
  • Telecommunications
  • Instrumentation
  • Control Systems
  • Power Electronics
  • Audio Engineering
Tools
  • Multisim
  • PSpice
  • LTspice

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Amplifiers

    Unit 3: Hybrid Equivalent Model

    Hybrid equivalent model requires strong understanding of transistor characteristics and parameter conversions.

  • Module 3 Power Supply

    Unit 4: Filter Circuits

    Filter circuits involve complex calculations and understanding of frequency response.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 42 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Amplifiers
    • Unit 1: Classification of Amplifiers · 2 hours

      Define amplifier and its basic components.. Understand amplifier gain, voltage gain, current gain and power gain.. Solve problems related to amplifier gain calculations..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Amplifiers
    • Unit 1: Classification of Amplifiers · 2 hours

      Understand Class A amplifier operation and its characteristics.. Analyze series-fed Class A amplifier circuits.. Calculate power considerations and efficiency for Class A amplifiers..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Amplifiers
    • Unit 1: Classification of Amplifiers · 2 hours

      Understand Class B amplifier operation and push-pull configuration.. Calculate input power, output power, and efficiency for Class B amplifiers.. Analyze Class B amplifier circuits and crossover distortion..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Amplifiers
    • Unit 1: Classification of Amplifiers · 2 hours

      Understand Class AB amplifier operation and its advantages.. Analyze transformer less Class AB push-pull amplifier circuits.. Explain the concept and mitigation of crossover distortion..

    • Unit 1: Classification of Amplifiers · 1 hour

      Understand Class C and Class D amplifier operations.. Solve problems related to amplifier classes.. Review amplifier classifications and key concepts..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Amplifiers
    • Unit 2: Equivalent Circuits of Transistors · 3 hours

      Understand the operation of Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs).. Analyze BJT models and various configurations.. Solve problems related to transistor configurations..

  6. Week 6Module 1: Amplifiers
    • Unit 2: Equivalent Circuits of Transistors · 3 hours

      Familiarize with hybrid parameters and equivalent circuits.. Understand the NPN and PNP transistor models.. Analyze the Common Emitter Configuration..

  7. Week 7Module 1: Amplifiers
    • Unit 3: The Hybrid Equivalent Model · 3 hours

      Define h-parameters and their significance.. Enumerate various transistor hybrid equivalent models.. Solve problems related to hybrid equivalent models..

  8. Week 8Module 1: Amplifiers
    • Unit 4: Operating Point · 3 hours

      Identify operation points of a BJT and associated characteristics.. Know the four possible bias combinations of a BJT.. Understand the concept of bias stability and its importance..

  9. Week 9Module 1: Amplifiers
    • Unit 5: Bias Stability · 3 hours

      Familiarize with various bias circuits.. Analyze fixed-bias, emitter-stabilized bias, and voltage divider bias circuits.. Solve problems related to bias stability..

  10. Week 10Module 2: Oscillators
    • Unit 1: Negative Feedback · 3 hours

      Understand the concept of feedback and types of feedbacks.. Establish the implications of Negative feedback.. Know the forms, advantages, disadvantages and applications of negative feedback..

  11. Week 11Module 2: Oscillators
    • Unit 2: Positive Feedback · 3 hours

      Understand the concept of feedback.. Establish the fact that positive feedback is a criterion for oscillation.. Understand the Nyquist criterion..

  12. Week 12Module 2: Oscillators
    • Unit 3: LC Oscillators · 3 hours

      Understand the basic operations of an LC oscillator.. Familiarize with the various types of oscillators that use the LC oscillatory circuit.. Solve problems related to LC oscillators..

    • Unit 4: RC Oscillators · 3 hours

      Understand the basic operations of an RC oscillator.. Familiarize with the various types of RC oscillators.. Know the applications of RC network.. Confirm that RC circuits are useful in the audio-frequency range.

  13. Week 13Module 3: Power Supply
    • Unit 1: Power Source · 3 hours

      Know what is meant by power supply.. Know the major sources of power.. Understand the environmental considerations of the sources of power.. Know the various types of power supply.. Distinguish between regulated power supply and unregulated power supply..

    • Unit 2: DC Power Units · 3 hours

      Enumerate the 5 stages of a dc power supply unit.. Understand and describe the rectifier circuits.. Describe the output of each rectifier circuits. Solve problems related to rectification of ac signal.

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review all module summaries to reinforce key concepts.
  • Practice solving circuit analysis problems from each unit.
  • Create flashcards for important formulas and definitions.
  • Focus on understanding the characteristics and applications of different amplifier classes.
  • Study the Nyquist criterion and Barkhausen criterion for oscillator design.
  • Practice designing basic power supply circuits and calculating ripple factors.
  • Review operational amplifier configurations and their applications.
  • Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 transistor equivalent circuits.
  • Practice SQL queries from Units 7-9 weekly.
  • Allocate specific study hours for each module based on its weight in the final exam.

Questions students ask about this course

What is PHY308 about?

This course introduces Amplifiers, Oscillators, Power supply and Linear Integrated Circuits. It covers their parameters, characteristics and physical limitations. The course also acquaints students with mathematical calculations and practical approximations of idealized theorems, enabling them to establish their practicable applications and indispensability in the real world. Students will learn about amplifier classifications, feedback mechanisms in oscillators, power supply design, and the applications of operational amplifiers.

How many units does PHY308 have?

PHY308, Electronics I, has 15 units across 4 modules, over 312 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is PHY308?

PHY308 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.

Is PHY308 hard?

PHY308 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and problem solving work.

How long does PHY308 take to study?

About 150 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.

How is PHY308 assessed?

PHY308 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.

What can I do with PHY308?

Electronics Technician, Circuit Designer, Instrumentation Engineer, Control Systems Engineer and Telecommunications Engineer.

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