EEC110A - Electronic Circuits I

4 units - Winter and Spring Quarters

Lecture: 3 hours

Discussion: 1 hour

Prerequisites: Courses 100 and 140A 

Grading: Letter

Catalog Description: Use and modeling of nonlinear solid-state electronic devices in basic analog and digital circuits. Introduction to the design of transistor amplifiers and logic gates.

Relationship to Outcomes:
Students who have successfully completed this course should have achieved:

Course Outcomes ABET Outcomes
An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering A
An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems E
An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. K

Expanded Course Description:
  1. Introduction to electronic systems and design
    1. Analog and digital systems
    2. Classification of signals
    3. Explain difference between analysis and design (e.g., the form of the result is important, it must be simple enough to relate performance to individual devices)
  2. Electronic Devices Recap
    1. PN juntions and diodes
    2. Bipolar junction transistor operation
    3. MOS transistor operation
  3. Analog electronic systems and design
    1. Introduction to small-signal linearity and modeling
    2. Analysis methodology - separate large-signal DC bias analysis and small-signal AC signal analysis
    3. Amplifier models (unilateral two ports), DC- and AC- coupled response
    4. DC analysis of single-stage transistor amplifiters: common-emitter, common-emitter with degeneration, emitter follower and common base
    5. Small-signal midband analysis of single-stage transistor amplifiers 
    6. Frequency response of single transistor amplifiers (Miller's theorem and approximation, open circuit time constants). Emphasis on common emitter
    7. Feedback: conceptual, theoretical and practical circuit level to feedback around multistage cascade amplifiers 
    8. Stability and Compensation
  4. Digital circuits
    1. Introduction to logic: binary logic gates, truth tables, Boolean algebra
    2. Static inverter specifications
    3. Dynamic inverter specifications
    4. CMOS logic

Textbook: R. Spencer and M. Ghausi, Introduction to Electronic Circuit Design, Prentice Hall.

Computer Use: Students may use SPICE on several of the homework assignments (at the discretion of the instructor).

Engineering Design Statement:
Much of this course is devoted to the modeling and analysis of electronic circuits. Because the analysis of any reasonably complex circuit is analytically intractable, the model selection, analysis techniques, and assumptions made are a major part of the design process. The students are shown how to recognize from an analysis those elements that are critical in determining the system's performance so that they can be exploited in the design phase. Open-ended problems are used on the homework.

Professional Component: Engineering Breadth
Engineering Science: 3 units
Engineering Design: 1 unit