Electronic Circuit & Systems Design (H7076)
Electronic Circuit & Systems Design
Module H7076
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Pre-Requisite
Electrical Circuits and Devices,
Electromechanics,
Electronic Devices and Circuit Prototyping
Module Outline
Electronic Circuit & Systems Design builds on the first-year modules in electronics and provides you with an introduction into the design and analysis of the most common analog circuits. Such circuits are of increasing importance to enable computers and other digital systems to communicate with our purely analog world.
It will be discussed how single components e.g. diodes, resistors or transistors can be biased and connected to form functional blocks. This forms the foundation to realise circuits such as amplifiers, filters, and converters for different application including wireless communication, signal processing, and audio drivers. Additionally, you will learn how to simulate, build and characterise various circuits using state of the art equipment and simulation software in our practical sessions. Finally, techniques to design more complex systems will be presented.
In the end, this module will enable you to design and fabricate a complex electronic system based on the specifications provided by a customer or the technical requirement of a research /development project.
Module Topics
An overview how to realize analog circuits and systems, with subjects including:
· Semiconductor devices: Diodes, field effect transistors, bipolar transistors
· Biasing and small signal analysis: Transistors, circuits
· Basic amplifiers: Gain, phase
· Impedance, matching and transmission lines
· Operational amplifiers: Circuit configurations, digital to analog converters
· Power amplifiers and devices: Efficiency, and distortion
· Thermal analysis: Heat sinks and stability
· Oscillators and other communication circuits
· Active filters: Frequency domain analysis, gain, and phase
· Non-idealities: Gain-bandwidth product, and common mode rejection
· Systems design: Bottom-up, top-down, computer aided design
· Coursework: Design project of a small analogue circuit, building and testing
The syllabus thus addresses the AHEP4 Learning outcomes: [M1, M2, M5, M11, M12, M13, M16]
[C1, C2, C5, C11, C12, C13, C16]
Library
Boylestad & Nashelsky - Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 9th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2005
Robert Mauro - Engineering Electronics, 1st Edition, Prentice Hall, 1989
Horowitz & Hill - The Art of Electronics, 2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press, 1989
Module learning outcomes
Apply knowledge of mathematics and engineering principles to critically compare practical results from active electronic circuits, with theory and simulations
Design and analyse active circuits using engineering priciples to account and evaluate the non-ideal behaviour of electronic devices, considering datasheets and industry standard practices
Use practical laboratory skills to critically evaluate a circuit design against a specification working as a member of an inclusive team
Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment to design, build and test active electronic circuits
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Examination | Semester 1 Assessment | 60.00% |
| Coursework | 40.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Report | T1 Week 6 | 50.00% |
| Report | T1 Week 11 | 50.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Laboratory | 2 hours | 00101010110 |
| Autumn Semester | Practical | 2 hours | 01010101000 |
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 33333333333 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Rodrigo Aviles-Espinosa
Assess convenor
/profiles/439645
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.