ELEC ENG 2011 - Circuit Analysis

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

Circuit fundamentals: revision of circuit elements and analysis methods including symbols, passive/active conventions, dependent and independent sources, KVL, KCL, mesh/nodal. Operational amplifiers: analysis of ideal amplifier for inverting, non-inverting, voltage follower configurations; Non-ideal effects : finite gain, bandwidth, slew rate and DC offsets. Time-domain techniques: capacitors and inductors- energy storage, integration/differentiation of voltage and current, differential equations, superposition, nodal and mesh analysis. First-order RC and RL circuits : transient response, time-constant, calculation of response using initial/final values and time-constant; Second-order RLC circuits : overview of analytical solution, effect of damping and natural frequency on time response. Frequency-domain techniques: phasors: phasor quantities, complex impedance, AC steady-state circuit analysis (lagging and leading); Laplace transforms: uni- and bi-lateral transform, transfer functions, partial fractions for simple/repeated poles, initial/final value theorem; Bode plots: transfer functions, poles and zeros, drawing first and second-order functions; RLC filter types: low, high, band-pass.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ELEC ENG 2011
    Course Circuit Analysis
    Coordinating Unit School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Prerequisites ELEC ENG 1009 & ELEC ENG 1010
    Restrictions Available to BE (El&SustEn), BE(Computer Sys), BE(El &El), BE(Telecom) & associated double degree students only
    Course Description Circuit fundamentals: revision of circuit elements and analysis methods including symbols, passive/active conventions, dependent and independent sources, KVL, KCL, mesh/nodal.
    Operational amplifiers: analysis of ideal amplifier for inverting, non-inverting, voltage follower configurations; Non-ideal effects : finite gain, bandwidth, slew rate and DC offsets.
    Time-domain techniques: capacitors and inductors- energy storage, integration/differentiation of voltage and current, differential equations, superposition, nodal and mesh analysis. First-order RC and RL circuits : transient response, time-constant, calculation of response using initial/final values and time-constant; Second-order RLC circuits : overview of analytical solution, effect of damping and natural frequency on time response.
    Frequency-domain techniques: phasors: phasor quantities, complex impedance, AC steady-state circuit analysis (lagging and leading); Laplace transforms: uni- and bi-lateral transform, transfer functions, partial fractions for simple/repeated poles, initial/final value theorem; Bode plots: transfer functions, poles and zeros, drawing first and second-order functions; RLC filter types: low, high, band-pass.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Emeritus Professor Michael Liebelt

    Course Coordinator and Lecturer: Assoc Prof Michael Liebelt 
    Email: michael.liebelt@adelaide.edu.au
    Office: Ingkarni Wardli 3.36

    Lecturer: Dr Andrew Allison
    Email: andrew.allison@adelaide.edu.au
    Office: Ingkarni Wardli 3.51
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Use systematic methods to analyse the behaviour of direct current and alternating current circuits.
    2 Formulate and solve differential equations to describe the behaviour of zero, first and second order time dependent circuits.
    3 Determine, analyse and describe initial conditions in time dependent circuits.
    4 Understand the key characteristics and limitations of operational amplifiers and be able to analyse and design simple circuits based on operational amplifiers
    5 Use phasors to describe and analyse the behaviour of circuits with sinusoidal excitation.
    6 Understand the role of complex exponential functions in linear systems and to use them to derive magnitude and phase responses.
    7 Draw magnitude and phase Bode plots for cascaded systems comprising of zero, first and second order sub-systems.
    8 Use Laplace transforms to analyse linear circuits in the Laplace domain and to solve zero, first and second order circuits with prescribed initial conditions.
    9 Simulate circuit behaviour using the Altium CAD tools.
    10 Apply these techniques to analyse circuits describing the behaviour of electrical and electronic devices and systems.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-10
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 10
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 9
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1,2,10
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    A set of course notes, practice problems and other supporting materials will also be available for downloading from the course web site.
    Recommended Resources
    Text Book: William, H. Hayt, Jr., Steven, M. Durbin, Jack E. Kemmerly, “Engineering Circuit Analysis”, 8th Edition (McGraw-Hill, 2012) ISBN: 978-0-07-352957-8
    Online Learning
    Extensive use will be made of the MyUni web site for this course, https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login. Course notes, tutorial problems and solutions, laboratory exercises and practice problems will all be available for downloading from the web site.  Where the lecture theatre facilities permit, audio or video recordings of lectures will also be available for downloading.

    There will be two online quizzes to be completed.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course relies on lectures as the primary delivery mechanism for the material. Tutorials supplement the lectures by providing exercises and example problems to enhance the understanding obtained through lectures. Practicals are used to provide hands-on experience for students to reinforce the theoretical concepts encountered in lectures.

    Continuous assessment activities provide the formative assessment opportunities for students to gauge their progress and understanding.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Activity Contact hours Workload hours
    Lecture 33 lectures 33 66
    Tutorials 6 tutorials 6 12
    Practicals Altium Designer 9 18
    Tone Control 9 18
    Homeworks 2 0 12
    Online quizzes 2 0 12
    In-class tests 2 2 12
    TOTALS 59 150
    Learning Activities Summary

    Activity

    Sessions

    Week

    Topic

    Lecture

    1-2

    1

    Revision

     

    3-5

    1,2

    Systematic methods; node and mesh analysis

     

    6-7

    2,3

    Operational Amplifiers

     

    8-11

    3,4

    Time domain Analysis; RL and RC circuits

     

    12-16

    4,5,6

    Time domain Analysis; RLC circuits

     

    17

    6

    Sinusoidal Signals

     

    18

    6

    Phasors

     

    19

    6

    Phasors in circuits

     

    20

    7

    Circuit analysis with phasors

     

    21

    7

    Frequency responses

     

    22

    7

    Common responses

     

    23

    8

    Laplace transforms

     

    24

    8

    Laplace circuit analysis

     

    25

    8

    Worked Laplace examples

     

    26

    9

    Initial conditions

     

    27

    9

    Bode plots

     

    28

    9

    Worked examples

     

    29

    10

    Passive and buffered filters

     

    30

    10

    Active filters

     

    31

    10

    The Sallen-Key circuit

     

    32

    11

    Design examples

     

    33

    11

    Design examples

     

     

     

     

    Tutorial

    1

    3

    Systematic methods

     

    2

    4

    Operational Amplifiers

     

    3

    6

    Time domain analysis

     

    4

    8

    Frequency domain analysis

     

    5

    10

    Frequency domain analysis

     

    6

    12

    Frequency domain analysis

    In-class quiz

    1

    5

    Systematic methods and time domain analysis

     

    2

    9

    Frequency domain analysis

    On-line quiz

    1

    6

    Systematic methods

     

    2

    9

    Frequency domain analysis

    Homework

    1

    6

    Systematic methods and time domain analysis

     

    2

    12

    Frequency domain analysis

    Practical

    1

    1,2,3

    Introduction to Altium designer

     

    2

    4,5,6

    Tone Control

    Practicals
    Note that practical classes begin in week 1 of the semester. Students must attend their allocated practical class in week 1, when further instructions on the operation of the laboratory session will be provided. Occupational Health and Safety inductions will be conducted at these times.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment activity Type Weighting Due date Learning objective addressed
    On-line quizzes Formative 5% Weeks 4, 10 1-8, 10
    In-class quizzes Summative 10% Weeks 6, 9 1-8, 10
    Homeworks Formative 10% Weeks 6, 12 1-10
    Practicals Summative – Hurdle 20% Weeks 1-6 1-10
    Exam Summative – Hurdle 55% End of semester 1-8, 10
    Assessment Related Requirements
    The examination and the practicals are hurdle requirements. It is necessary to achieve at least 40% in the exam and at least 40% in the practical assessment. If this is not achieved, the total course mark will be limited to a maximum of 49.

    A hurdle requirement is defined by the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs policy as "...an assessment task mandating a minimum level of performance as a condition of passing the course.

    If a student fails to meet a hurdle requirement (normally no less than 40%),and is assigned a total mark for the course in the range of 45-49, then the student is entitled to an offer of additional assessment of some type. The type of assessment is to be decided by the School Assessment Review Committee when determining final results. The student’s final total mark will be entered at no more than 49% and the offer of an additional assessment will be specified eg. US01. Once the additional assessment has been completed, this mark will be included in the calculation of the total mark for the course and the better of the two results will apply. Note however that the maximum final result for a course in which a student has sat an additional assessment will be a “50 Pass” .

    If a student is unable to meet a hurdle requirement related to an assessment piece (may be throughout semester or at semester’s end) due to medical or compassionate circumstances beyond their control, then the student is entitled to an offer of replacement assessment of some type. An interim result of RP will be entered for the student, and the student will be notified of the offer of a replacement assessment. Once the replacement assessment has been completed, the result of that assessment will be included in the calculation of the total mark for the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Details of individual assessment tasks will be provided during the semester.
    Submission
    All written submissions to formative assessment activities are to be submitted electronically by 3:00pm on the specified date.

    No late submissions will be accepted. All formative assessments will have a two week turn-around time for provision of feedback to students.

    Full details can be found at the School policies website:
    http://eleceng.adelaide.edu.au/current-students/undergraduate/
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    This course was offered for the first time in 2009.  SELT feedback for the course suggested:
     - The inclusion of more worked examples in lectures
     - The availability of more example problems for self-paced practice.
     - Better organisation of the practical work (which was shared between Circuit Analysis and    Electronics II)

    In 2010: 
     - Lecture material was revised to include more worked examples and to adjust the amount of time spent on each topic.
     - A suite of practice problems was made available.Practical work for Circuit Analysis and Electronics II was decoupled so that the two courses are fully independent.

    SELT feedback in 2010 suggested:
    - The inclusion of more worked examples in lectures and more challenging examples in tutorials and lectures, while exam results revealed some student weakness in understanding fundamental principles.

    In 2011: 
     - Some more complex examples were covered in lectures and tutorials
    - Lecture notes were expanded to include proofs of fundamental principles such as superposition
    and Thevenin’s theorem. These will be discussed in lectures.
    - The set of practice problems was expanded.
    - There were major revisions to the practical work

    SELT feedback in 2012 suggested:
    - The need for still more examples
    - More feedback from the on-line quiz system.

    In 2013:
    - The number of practice problems will be increased.
    - On-line quizzes will be revised to provide finer-grain feedback.
    - Assessment processes for the practicals are being revised.


  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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