ELECTRONICS Single channel

Chair (Coordinator) and Rapporteur: ANTONIO D'ALESSANDRO

Objectives

The course provides general knowledge of an electronic
system as a system for information processing. In particular, starting from
basic concepts related to linear systems, the course aims to provide
mathematical tools for signal analysis and basic knowledge of analog and
digital electronics starting from basic components to get to electronics
circuits and finally to more complex electronic systems, focusing on the
application limits due to bandwidth, power and noise for analog and digital
circuits.

Expected learning outcomes: Students will be able to
analyze analog and digital electronic circuits and to design simple electronic
systems.

Learning outcomes

The course is aimed to provide the fundamentals of an electronic system able to process information. In particular, from the basic concepts of linear systems, the course provides the mathematical tools to analyse the signals and the basic knowledge of analog and digital electronics from the fundamental components to electronic systems including the most complex ones. At the end of the course it is expected that a students will have learned the links of frequency bands, power consumptions and noise in analog circuits and digital networks for space and satellite applications in transport, energy and communication infrastructures

Prerequisites

Fundamentals of electrical circuits, electrostatics and electromagnetism from the courses of Physics of Laurea degree.

Programme

Introduction to analog and digital electronic signals. Shannon theorem. Sampling and quantization of continuous time signals. Representation of signals in the frequency domain. Frequency bands and related electronic applications. Electronic systems generalities. Bipolar components and linear two-ports networks. (1 CFU-ECTS)

Definition and characteristics of electronic amplifiers: saturation, noise, and passbands. Single time constant (STC) circuits and their time response to canonic signals (step and pulse signals). Frequency response of STC circuits. Operational amplifiers (OP-AMP) and their main applications in inverting and non-inverting configurations. OP-AMP circuits: active filters, differentiators, integrators, summer, voltage-current converter. OP-AMP limitations: slew-rate, common-mode rejection, polarization currents, offset voltage. (2 CFU-ECTS)

Electronic properties of semiconductors and charge transport mechanisms. Diffusion currents, drift current, carriers generation and recombination. Semiconductor junctions: non-biased and biased junction properties. Structure and working principle of diodes, bipolar junction transistors (BJT) and field effect transistors (MOSFET). Main diode circuits and their applications: half and full wave diode rectifiers. Zener Voltage stabilizer . Design of direct current supplier. Peak detector circuit. Analysis and comparison of single-stage BJT amplifiers: common emitter, common base, common collector. Analysis and and comparison of single-stage MOSFET amplifiers: common source, common gate, common drain. Current mirrors.. (2 CFU-ECTS)

Introduction to digital electronics. Laboratory experiences on diode and OP-AMP circuits. (1 CFU-ECTS)

Books

A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editions
M. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions
S. M. Sze, Semiconductors devices: physics and technology, JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. Any edition.
A. d’Alessandro, Lecture slides can be downloaded from the website http://elearning2.uniroma1.it (registration is required) or through registration on classroom
Lecture notes on all topics

Bibliography

M. H. Rashid, Fondamenti di Elettronica, APOGEO.
P. Horowitz, W. Hill, The art of electronics, Cambridge University Press, 2015.

Lessons mode

Frontal Lectures, classroom exercises, review of homework assignments, laboratory experiences (only frontal)

Frequency

Strongly suggested for a better understanding and grasp of the course topics.

Exam mode

The exam consists in both mandatory written and an optional oral test. Th written text consists in a numerical test of a bout two hours related to the design of simple basic electronic systems. Homework assignments are given and evaluated as 20% of the final grade. The oral test is on the theoretical concepts of the course and can contribute to a maximum of 10 % of the final evaluation.

Example exam questions

Simple Bipolar or MOSFET transistor circuit amplifiers or by using operational amplifiers.

Arguments

  • Topic 1. Introduction to analog and digital electronic signals. Shannon theorem. Sampling and quantization of continuous time signals. 
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 2. Representation of signals in the frequency domain. Frequency bands and related electronic applications. 
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 3. Electronic systems generalities. Definition and characteristics of electronic amplifiers: saturation, noise, and passbands. 
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 4. Single time constant (STC) circuits and their time response to canonic signals (step and pulse signals). Frequency response of STC circuits. 
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 5. Operational amplifiers (OP-AMP) and their main applications in inverting and non-inverting configurations. 
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 6. OP-AMP circuits: active filters, differentiators, integrators, summer, voltage-current converter. 
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 7. OP-AMP limitations: slew-rate, common-mode rejection, polarization currents, offset voltage. 
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 8. Electronic properties of semiconductors and charge transport mechanisms. Diffusion currents, drift current, carriers generation and recombination. 
    • Books: S. M. Sze, Semiconductors devices: physics and technology, JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. Any edition.

  • Topic 9. Semiconductor junctions: non-biased and biased junction properties. 
    • Books: S. M. Sze, Semiconductors devices: physics and technology, JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. Any edition.

  • Topic 10. Structure and working principle of diodes. Main diode circuits and their applications: half and full wave diode rectifiers. Peak detector circuit. Zener Voltage stabilizer . Design of direct current supplier. 
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 11. Structure and working principle of bipolar junction transistors (BJT).
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 12. Analysis and comparison of single-stage BJT amplifiers: common emitter, common base, common collector. BJT Current mirrors. 
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 13. Structure and working principle of field effect transistors MOSFET 
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 14. Analysis and and comparison of single-stage MOSFET amplifiers: common source, common gate, common drain. MOSFET based current mirrors. 
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 15. Introduction to digital electronics. CMOS inverters: working principle. Input-output transistors. Static and dynamic power consumption and dissipation.
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions

  • Topic 16. Solar cells for terrestrial and space applications: working principle, materials and photovoltaic panel characteristics.
    • Books: S. M. Sze, Semiconductors devices: physics and technology, JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. Any edition. Scientific papers given by the teacher.

  • Topic 17.  Laboratory experiences on diode and OP-AMP circuits by using stabilized DC power supply, digital oscilloscopes and waveform signal generators.
    • Books: A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Microelctronic circuits, Oxford University Press Inc, 2020 o previous editionsM. H. Rashid, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices & Applications, Global Edition 2024 or previous editions. Texas Instruments boards educational kit 

Sustainability goals

  • Goal7
  • Goal9
  • Goal11
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • Degree program to which the course belongsSpace and astronautical engineering
  • Lesson code10606118
  • Year and semester1st year - 2nd semester
  • Activity typeAttività formative affini ed integrative
  • Academic areaAttività formative affini o integrative
  • SSDING-INF/01
  • Mandatory presenceNo
  • Languageeng
  • CFU6 CFU
  • Total duration60 hours
  • Hours distribution42 classroom hours, 18 training hours