97970 - Laboratory of Electronics P-IM

Learning outcomes

The module allows the student to deepen with laboratory experiments the elements of theory acquired in the classroom in the Industrial Electronics course. In particular, the student consolidates the knowledge acquired by verifying the operation of circuits for conditioning signals from sensors both through CAD circuit simulation tools and through measurements using basic electronic instrumentation. The student also learns to make measurements on power conversion circuits similar to those used in industry for power and machine control.

Course contents

Introduction

The course also aims to provide the practical basis for the verification and laboratory testing of electronic circuits. To this end, considerable emphasis will also be placed on the acquisition and skill attained in the use of the main bench-top instruments and basic electronic components.

General topics covered in the course:

Principal figures of performance merit of analog circuits. Specifications and classification of fundamental circuits for signal conditioning and power conversion.

Recall of the main passive (resistors, capacitors, magnetics) and active (generators, switches, diodes, transistors, op-amps) components and their models

Characterization and verification of discrete components in simple circuits

The practical skills, as well as effective laboratory methodology, will be practiced through the following (planned) laboratory exercises:

1. Introduction to LTspice circuit simulator (various types of analysis): Bias-point, Transient-Analysis, DC-sweep, AC-sweep, parameter-sweep; interpretation of results and post-processing tools for synthesizing results: diagnostic files, FFTs, subcircuits and model import.
2. Verification of the static characteristic of basic electronic components (MOS, BJT) and operational amplifiers.
3. Design and verification of the operation of a common-emitter amplifier with a base bias network.
4. Design and verification of the operation of an active amplifier realized with operational amplifiers and simple RC filtering.
5. Design and verification of the operation of multivibrators

Readings/Bibliography

Handouts provided by the lecturer, lecture notes, component datasheets and manufacturers' application notes.

Teaching methods

Each lesson is structured in three successive moments:

1. Theoretical introduction (with recalls to previous content learned from previous and/or parallel courses) and explanation about the operation of the circuit to be analyzed
2. Verification at the LTspice simulator of the expected behavior
3. Practical experimental validation of the behavior and comparison with what was obtained in step 2.
   Each exercise requires a report to be written and handed in to the lecturer as a preparatory activity for admission to the exam.
   

A template will be provided by the lecturer for the development of the exercises in Step 3. to facilitate the assimilation and learning of a rigorous method of scientific writing.

Assessment methods

Verification of the theoretical content and practical skills learned during the course will be assessed on the basis of a practical/theoretical examination, during which the student is asked to replicate a circuit topology similar to that seen in class. The practical part will be accompanied by the resolution of theoretical questions (multiple-choice and/or free-response questions) mandatory for the purpose of testing the course content.

The final grade will result from the sum of 3 contributions:

• 20/30 practical part
• 5/30 exercises delivered
• 8/30 theoretical part
  

The 3/30 resulting from the delivered exercises will be functional for the achievement of any praise.

Teaching tools

• LTspice Simulator
• Bench instrumentation: oscillators, multimeters, function generators
• Electronic components

Office hours

See the website of Federica Zonzini