Description
This unit introduces students to the use of electronics manufacturers’ data to analyse the performance of circuits and devices, the operational characteristics of amplifier circuits, the types and effects of feedback on a circuit performance, and the operation and application of oscillators. They will also be introduced to the application of testing procedures to electronic devices and circuits, and use the findings of the tests to evaluate their operation.
Among the topics included in this unit are: power amplifiers, class A, B and AB; operational amplifiers, inverting, non-inverting, differential, summing, integrator, differentiator; types such as open, closed, positive and negative feedback; frequency, stability, frequency drift, distortion, amplitude, wave shapes and testing procedures.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to determine the operational characteristics of amplifier circuits, investigate the types and effects of feedback on an amplifier’s performance, examine the operation and application of oscillators and apply testing procedures to electronic devices and circuits.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Determine the operational characteristics of amplifier circuits.
Operational characteristics:
Power amplifiers: class A, B and AB
Operational amplifiers: inverting, non-inverting, differential, summing, integrator, differentiator, comparator, instrumentation, Schmitt trigger, active filters Gain, bandwidth, frequency response, input and output impedance
Distortion and noise
2. Investigate the types and effects of feedback on an amplifier’s performance.
Types and effects:
Types including open, closed, positive and negative feedback
Effect of feedback on gain, bandwidth, distortion, noise, stability, input and output impedance
3. Examine the operation and application of oscillators.
Operation and application:
Types of oscillators such as Wien bridge, Twin-T, R-C ladder, L-C coupled, transistor, operational amplifier, crystal
Frequency, stability, frequency drift, distortion, amplitude and wave shapes
4. Apply testing procedures to electronic devices and circuits.
Testing procedures:
Measuring performance, using practical results and computer simulations
Voltage gain, current, bandwidth, frequency response, output power, input and output impedance
Distortion and noise
Devices to test:
Semiconductors
Integrated circuits
Amplifiers
Oscillators
Filters
Power supplies
Integrated circuit (IC) voltage regulators
Combined analogue and digital IC’s
Component manufacturer’s data:
Specifications, manuals and circuit diagrams
Use of testing equipment:
Meters, probes and oscilloscopes
Signal generators and signal analysers, logic analysers
Virtual test equipment