To introduce students to fundamental understanding of electronic devices (diodes and transistors).
To show how diodes and transistors are used in amplifier and switching circuits.

(LO1) Students will be able to show knowledge and understanding of the behaviour, important properties and applications of diodes and transistors.

(LO2) Students will have the ability to understand and apply equivalent circuit representations of diodes and transistors.

(LO3) Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of circuit biasing, the role of decoupling capacitors and the performance of some commonly used configurations and their practical significance.

(S1) On successful completion of the module, students should be able to show experience and enhancement of the following key transferable skills: independent learning; circuit analysis; problem solving and design skills.

(S2) After successful completion of the module, the student should have the following practical skills: an ability to determine device properties from characteristics; an ability to calculate the output voltage and regulation of simple rectifier and stabiliser circuits; an ability to perform simple analysis of circuits containing bipolar and MOS transistors; an ability to construct and test simple transistor circuits.

(S3) On successful completion of the module, the student should have the following intellectual abilities: ability to analyse simple transistor circuit; ability to determine components to meet a specification; ability to design an AC common emitter amplifier

(S4) On successful completion of the module, the student should have: an understanding of: the behaviour, important properties and applications of diodes and transistors; an understanding of: equivalent circuit representations of diodes and transistors; an understanding of circuit biasing, the role of decoupling capacitors and the performance of some commonly used circuit configurations and their practical significance.

Semester 1
Section 1 Electronic Devices:
P N Junction Diode: Basics: electrons, holes, semiconductor junction, depletion layer; current voltage characteristics, equivalent circuit representation; temperature effects, material type - silicon and other diodes; small signal behaviour (dynamic resistance).

Transistor theory: Basic characteristics of Bipolar and MOSFET Transistors; Darlington transistor; Large signal (DC) characteristics; transistors as switches; Logic circuits.

Diode applications: Clipping, clamping, diode switching and amplitude modulation circuits.

Rectification: Perfect diode as a rectifier, rectifier circuits, RC smoothing; Zener diode properties/behaviour; Ideal Zener as a voltage stabiliser; Regulation.

LED’s and Photodiodes: Opto electronic materials, light emitting diodes, photo diodes, solar cells.

Semester 2
Section 2 Amplifier Circuits:
Generic Amplifier: Amplifier as a system, matching.

Transi stor as an amplifier: Small signal equivalent circuit representation of transistor; Transistor as amplifiers.

Common emitter amplifier: Amplifier biasing, d.c. operating point; a.c. behaviour, equivalent circuit; circuit resistances and gain.

Emitter follower: Operating point; a.c. behaviour, equivalent circuit; circuit properties.

MOS amplifier: Common source amplifier, biasing, operating point; a.c. behaviour, equivalent circuit, circuit resistances and gain.

Frequency response of amplifier circuits: Frequency limits of common emitter and common source amplifiers; a.c. response.

Due to Covid-19, one or more of the following delivery methods will be implemented based on the current local conditions.
(a) Hybrid delivery, with social distancing on Campus
Teaching Method 1 - On-line asynchronous lectures
Description: Lectures to explain the material
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: On average one per week

Teaching Method 2 - On-line synchronous tutorials
Description: Tutorials on the Assignments and Problem Sheets
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average one per fortnight

Teaching Method 3 - Campus based Laboratory Work
Description: Laboratory Session to undertake the Diode Experiment
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: 7 hours of supervised lab

(b) Fully online delivery and assessment
Teaching Method 1 - On-line asynchronous lectures
Description: Lectures to explain the material
Attendance Recorded: No
Note s: On average one per week

Teaching Method 2 - On-line synchronous tutorials
Description: Tutorials on the Assignments and Problem Sheets
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average one per fortnight

Teaching Method 3 - on-line Laboratory Work
Description: on-line Laboratory Session
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: 7 hours of on-line supervised lab to undertake the Diode Experiment

(c) Standard on-campus delivery with minimal social distancing
Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lectures to explain the material
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average one per week

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description: Tutorials on the Assignments and Problem Sheets
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average one per fortnight

Teaching Method 3 - Laboratory Work
Description: Laboratory Session to undertake the Diode Experiment Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: 7 hours of supervised lab