This page is continually
reinventing itself. Expect some
evolution even as you watch.
Coverage: Electronics is the fundamental technology which defines the art of Electrical and Computer Engineering. It is essentially (1) an exposition of devices for which current is not linear with voltage and (2) investment of these components in circuit applications. Electronic components are as varied as their applications. They can range from items the size of a coffee can for the control of power grids and diesel locomotives, to components so tiny that several hundred can be comfortably fitted on the cross-section of a human hair, although we have not found any necessity to do so as of yet.
In contrast to linear components, which need only one parameter to describe their behavior, non-linear components need a comprehensive set of equations and parameters. When they are employed as elements in a circuit network these mathematical models must be iterated in order to emulate the electrical behavior of the circuit. In the usage art of electronics, much of this mathematical grit can be assessed by approximations, and that is the approach that we use as a user/designer of electronics.
Electronic devices are usually made of semiconductors by means of processes not unlike those inside a volcano. The ones that are coughed up are of two basic types: (1) 'diodes' and (2) 'transistors'. The physics that describe these components is fairly simple, provided you don’t get too interested. The mathematical models are non-linear and a simulation utility is in order to handle the more gritty analyses of circuits using diodes and transistors.
The SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) utility will be used as a means to achieve reasonable analysis of circuits. The simulator package of choice is pSPICE, and a good acquaintance with the pSPICE utility is essential to your command of the art of electronics If you are unsure of your skills or if you need to be refreshed, you should take a look at the tutorials linked to this site.
The operational aspects of this course are represented by the following documents. On the first day of class you will receive them as hardcopies, but they are otherwise accessible at the following links:
Changes, extra instructions, additions and deletions will be passed to you via email and this site. Expect them. Bookmark this URL. Keep a weather out on your email.
Mississippi
State University Honor Code
Personal
Communication Devices
You would not bring a live communication device
into a board meeting and expect to keep your job. And you should not do so in this
classroom either.
Be advised that much of the homework is in transition. Homework exercises from past editions of the course are not likely to be valid. If (incorrect) solutions from old homework exercises should appear, it will imply that the question of academic dishonesty will need to be revisited. Please do not jeopardize your career over something as stupid as an alphabetic certification letter.
1. RLC tuned circuits and amplifiers
2. AM/FM modulation
· If you are unsure or need a refresher on the use of pSPICE you might walk through the following tutorials.They are slow and patient, and will help to get you started and into the more important aspects of pSPICE as needed for expert circuit simulations:
Reset the background for pSPICE for screen capture of outputs. Change the default black background to a default white background for cleaner display of results.
If you do not have a copy of the student version of pSPICE, go to OrCAD pspice .
An older and simpler version of pspice is available at pspice(olde). May be more friendly.
Another URL with information about SPICE is located at Online SPICE resources
1. Professor’s notes: RLC resonant circuits. Gives a mild summary and identifies the relationships between characteristic frequency f0, characteristic resistance R0, and the resonance response characteristics and damping effects.
2. Professor's notes: BJT circuit analysis. Extends and/or replaces the coverage given by the textbook and emphasizes fast rough methods of analysis (analysis by inspection). Needs update.
3. Professor's
notes: CMOS logic circuit analysis. Replaces the coverage
given by the textbook.
Epiphanies:
Analytical HW solutions Handwritten
Old quizzes No solutions are provided and don’t ask for any.
Past quizzes. Posted afterwards
2. Parts
kit
Note: Lab #1 uses the parts
carried over from ECE 1002. Find
them, or repurchase at Radio shack
3. Workstation
4. Parameter
extraction using Excel
(Example: Experiment 2)
5. Parameter
extraction using Excel
(Example: Experiment 3)
Electronically submitted lab reports: (1) Go to ECE Home and click on
‘Intranet’. (2) Login under Intranet. Look under the ‘Tools/Service’
menu. Find an entry for ‘Lab
report submittal’. (3) Click
on Lab report submittal and follow the instructions. Submit as .pdf
file
Rules of Engagement Housekeeping is essential and necessary for this lab to work efficiently and effectively. Everything needs to be ready and robust for the next user. This document identifies the rules and protocols for good housekeeping. It is also emplaced under transparent cover at each workstation.
Oscilloscope Learn about its assets and capabilities. Comprehensive knowledge and command is expected.
