Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Basic knowledge of algebra and simple differential and integral calculus

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

To develop students' abilities to analyse and understand the operation of passive electric circuit supplied by dc, switched dc or steady-state sinusoidal ac sources.

To present the operational amplifier as a circuit component and to analyse common applications using operational amplifiers

Outline Of Syllabus

DC circuits with constant voltages and currents
Conventions for voltage and current directions. Ohm's Law. Kirchhoff's Laws. Combining resistances in series and parallel. Ideal voltage and current sources. Techniques of circuit analysis, nodal voltages. Modelling of real devices with ideal elements. Network Theorems; equivalence of voltage and current sources, Thevenin's Theorem, Norton's Theorem, linearity, superposition, maximum power transfer from a source to a load, star-delta and delta-star transformations.

Transient effects in electrical dc circuits
Energy storage elements: inductance and capacitance, units. Transients in circuits with a first-order response by analytic solution of a differential equation, exponential rise and decay, time constant in R-C and R-L circuits; initial conditions, effect of initial condition on response, energy storage in capacitors and inductors. Circuits with two energy storage elements, solution of second order differential equations, the natural response of RLC circuits, driven RLC circuits.

AC circuits with steady-state sinusoidal excitation
Basic concepts of frequency, angular frequency, phase shift, amplitude, peak, peak-to-peak, and root-mean-square values. Mathematical representation of sinusoidal voltages and currents, phasor representation of alternating voltages and currents, complex number representation of voltage and current phasors, the j operator and its application in circuit analysis. Complex impedance, admittance, resistance, reactance, conductance and susceptance. Solution of simple circuits by combining impedances in series and parallel. General circuit analysis using j notation.

AC Power
AC power absorbed by a resistor, inductor and capacitor. Relationships between power, reactive power and VA, power factor, principle of conservation of power and reactive power, reactive power absorbed by capacitors and inductors, power factor correction, complex power in terms of phasor voltages and currents.

Resonance
Analysis and applications of series and parallel resonant circuits, bandwidth and Q factor.

Operational Amplifier Circuits
Ideal operational amplifier, meaning of open loop and closed loop gain. Analysis of basic circuit configuration; inverting amplifier, non-inverting amplifier, summing amplifier voltage follower, difference amplifier. Applications with capacitive feedback, integrator, differentiator considerations, filters. Effect of non-ideal gain and impedance characteristics.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

An understanding of the behaviour of passive electric circuits.
Knowledge of the various techniques used for analysing dc and ac circuits
An understanding of the meaning and significance of the frequency response of electric circuits.
Knowledge of the characteristics of ideal operational amplifiers and an understanding of some of the limitations of real operational amplifier circuits

Intended Skill Outcomes

The ability to analyse the behaviour of simple ac and dc electrical circuits using appropriate analytical techniques. The ability to analyse circuits using operational amplifiers allowing for some of the limitations of real devices. Design, construction and testing skills for simple electronic circuits.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lecturers provide core material and guidance for further reading. Problem solving practice is provided through tutorials. Practical skills are developed during laboratory work.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination provides the opportunity for the student to demonstrate their understanding of the behaviour of simple dc and ac electric circuits. The problem solving aspects of the assessment enable the student to demonstrate that they are able to apply this understanding and their analysis and synthesis skills to novel situations by employing the appropriate circuit analysis technique to study the behaviour of different electric circuits. Laboratories provide the opportunity to assess practical skills and the application of theoretical knowledge.

Semester 1 Study Abroad students will be able to sit the final examination at an earlier period.

General Notes

Original Handbook text: