Electronics Laboratory
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with theoretical and practical skills in general Electronics. Starting from the operating principles of semiconductor junctions we will study, implement and characterize analog electronic circuits containing diodes and bipolar transistors, such as peak detectors, voltage multipliers, stabilized power supplies, transistor amplifiers.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to
1. Discuss the working principles of diodes and bipolar transistors.
2. Compute the quiescent point, the small-signal gain, and the bandwidth of single-stage transistor amplifiers.
3. Design and realize transistor amplifiers in common-emitter, common-collector, common-base, cascode, and differential configurations.
4. Analyze, realize, and experimentally characterize a basic three-stage operational amplifier in terms of gain, bandwidth, slew-rate, output voltage swing.
5. Discuss and design current mirrors.
6. Design a stabilized power supply.
7. Design clipping, clamping, peak-detector, charge pump circuits.
8. Discuss the Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem and the basics of Sample-and-Hold circuits and Analog-to-Digital converters.
1. Discuss the working principles of diodes and bipolar transistors.
2. Compute the quiescent point, the small-signal gain, and the bandwidth of single-stage transistor amplifiers.
3. Design and realize transistor amplifiers in common-emitter, common-collector, common-base, cascode, and differential configurations.
4. Analyze, realize, and experimentally characterize a basic three-stage operational amplifier in terms of gain, bandwidth, slew-rate, output voltage swing.
5. Discuss and design current mirrors.
6. Design a stabilized power supply.
7. Design clipping, clamping, peak-detector, charge pump circuits.
8. Discuss the Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem and the basics of Sample-and-Hold circuits and Analog-to-Digital converters.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course introduces advanced concepts of analog electronics through an intense laboratory activity. Many electronic devices are studied and used including transistors, diodes, trasformers, operational amplifiers. The course is focused on the design techniques of analog circuits, including multi-stage transistor amplifiers and some classes of non-linear circuits. Applications of the studied circuits are shown in the fields of telecommunications, hi-fi audio reproduction, physical and biological signal transduction. The considered topics are:
- Active Devices: Diodes and Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT)
Highlight on the working principles of semiconductors. P-N junction (diode). Diode as a temperature sensor. N-P-N structure (bipolar transistor). Minority carrier transport in the base. Transistor effect and Ebers-Moll equation. Transistor as a current or voltage amplifier. Small and large signal circuits. Transistor as a switch.
- Non-linear Circuits with Diodes and Transistors
Peak detector. Clamping and DC restorer. Clipping. Voltage multiplier (Cockroft Walton). Diode bridge rectifier. Stabilized power supply. Active rectifiers. Absolute value circuit.
- Transistor Amplifiers
Common emitter configuration. Common collector configuration (emitter follower). Common base configuration. Cascode configuration. Differential amplifier. Current mirrors. A transistor operational amplifier. Miller's theorem and bandwidth of operational amplifiers. Negative-feedback transistor amplifiers. Audio amplifiers.
- Positive-Feedback Transistor Circuits
Schmitt trigger. Astable circuit. Multivibrator. Waveform generators.
- Signal Properties
Delay and rise time (Elmore's theorems).
- A/D and D/A signal conversion (highlights)
- Active Devices: Diodes and Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT)
Highlight on the working principles of semiconductors. P-N junction (diode). Diode as a temperature sensor. N-P-N structure (bipolar transistor). Minority carrier transport in the base. Transistor effect and Ebers-Moll equation. Transistor as a current or voltage amplifier. Small and large signal circuits. Transistor as a switch.
- Non-linear Circuits with Diodes and Transistors
Peak detector. Clamping and DC restorer. Clipping. Voltage multiplier (Cockroft Walton). Diode bridge rectifier. Stabilized power supply. Active rectifiers. Absolute value circuit.
- Transistor Amplifiers
Common emitter configuration. Common collector configuration (emitter follower). Common base configuration. Cascode configuration. Differential amplifier. Current mirrors. A transistor operational amplifier. Miller's theorem and bandwidth of operational amplifiers. Negative-feedback transistor amplifiers. Audio amplifiers.
- Positive-Feedback Transistor Circuits
Schmitt trigger. Astable circuit. Multivibrator. Waveform generators.
- Signal Properties
Delay and rise time (Elmore's theorems).
- A/D and D/A signal conversion (highlights)
Prerequisites for admission
1. Use of laboratory instrumentation (power supply, arbitrary waveform generator, digital multimeter, digital oscilloscope, RCL meter)
2. Linear circuit analysis methods
3. Concept of negative/positive feedback
4. Use of operational amplifiers
5. Frequency response theorem
6. Transfer functions and physical meaning of the poles
7. Impedance concept
8. Use and properties of coaxial cables
2. Linear circuit analysis methods
3. Concept of negative/positive feedback
4. Use of operational amplifiers
5. Frequency response theorem
6. Transfer functions and physical meaning of the poles
7. Impedance concept
8. Use and properties of coaxial cables
Teaching methods
On a lecture by lecture basis, a brief theoretical explanation on a program item is given as followed by a laboratory exercise in which the theory can be experimentally verified.
Teaching Resources
R. C. Jaeger, "Microelectronics", Mc Graw Hill
A. Pullia, "Dispense di laboratorio elettronico", CD-ROM
A. Pullia, "Dispense di laboratorio elettronico", CD-ROM
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of the preparation and presentation of a lab report on one of the subjects elaborated in the course, and of an interview. The interview is focused both on the lab report and on the course program. Every student must prepare his own lab report. In the exam the competences as well as the ability to discuss unknown problems will be evaluated.
FIS/01 - EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS
ING-INF/01 - ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
ING-INF/01 - ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
Laboratories: 54 hours
Lessons: 12 hours
Lessons: 12 hours
Professor:
Pullia Alberto
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment