Module Specification

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Electronics for Instrumentation & Communications
Code ELEC317
Coordinator Dr H Van Zalinge
Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Vzalinge@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2021-22 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims

To gain knowledge of a wide range of analogue components and electronics for instrumentation and communications.

To gain a better understanding of the theory, analysis and design of analogue electronic circuits used in instrumentation and communications systems.

To learn and use an industrial standard simulation tool (Agilent ADS) for the design of electronic systems.


Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

ELEC271 ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS; ELEC207 Instrumentation & Control 

Co-requisite modules:

 

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) After successful completion of the module, the student should have A good understanding of a wide range of analogue components, including filters, amplifiers, oscillators, mixers, and phase locked loops. An understanding of the limitations of these components and how these can be overcome by design or the appropriate choice of device. An understanding of how to design these components. An understanding of computer aided design of electronic systems

(LO2) After successful completion of the module, the students should be able to demonstrate ability in applying knowledge of the module topics to: Analyse problems associated with electronic circuits for instrumentation and communication systems. Select correct components for electronic system design. Design an electronic system using an industrial standard CAD tool.

(S1) After successful completion of the module, she student should have: The ability to select the correct components to design an electronic system. Sufficient confidence to be able to analyse the behaviour of complex circuits. The ability to design practical circuits to meet a given specification with aid of the CAD tool.

(S2) On successful completion of the module, students should be able to show experience and enhancement of the following key skills: Independent learning. Problem solving and design skills.


Syllabus

 

Introduction to instrumentation and communication systems
Basic instrumentation and communication systems.
Major components and design considerations - transducers, filters, amplifiers, mixers, oscillators and ADC, maximum number of useful bits in the ADC.

Filters Introduction and review of filters (passive, active and digital) and their specifications (such as the transfer function, bandwidth, impedance).
Filter designs (Butterworth, Chebyshev and elliptic designs), lumped and distributed element implementation, and applications.

Amplifiers Introduction of amplifiers (such as the op-amp, low noise amp, broadband amp  ) and their specifications (gain, bandwidth, noise figure, efficiency, linearity, input and output impedance).
The frequency response, stability analysis, amplifier design and applications.

Oscillators General theory, the feedback method of oscillator design.
Design examples using the feedback method.
The negative-re sistance design method.
Design examples using the negative resistance method.
Properties of the quartz-crystal resonator. Oscillator design using quartz-crystal resonators.

Phase Locked Loops
Introduction and applications of phase locked loops.
Properties of the in-lock PLL.
Acquisition of lock. Transient analysis of the PLL.
Applications: FM discrimination, FSK demodulation, frequency synthesis.

Mixers Introduction to mixers and their specifications: conversion loss, isolation, LO drive level, inter-modulation, gain compression and dynamic range. Mixer design and examples.

Computer aided design (CAD) for electronic systems
Introduction to Agilent Advanced Design System (ADS), and use it to design a selected electronic system.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Due to Covid-19, one or more of the following delivery methods will be implemented based on the current local conditions and the situation of registered students. I
(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 two per week

Teaching Method 2 - Synchronous face to face tutorials
Description: Tutorials on the Assignments and Problem Sheets
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average one per week

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

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

(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 two per week

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


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 36

        3

39
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 111
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
(317) Assessment 1 Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 2 examination period    75       
10 one hour in class tests at 2.5% of module mark each. Each will be an open book problem to engage the students with the relevant topic of that weeks lectures.    25       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             

Reading List

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.