ELEC ENG 1101 - Electronic Systems

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2017

This course develops a basic understanding of the fundamentals and principles of analog circuits, electronic devices and digital electronics in electrical and electronic engineering. It covers the key electrical variables and the application of fundamental circuit laws and theorems to DC/AC resistive circuits; the analysis of RLC circuits including resonance; the principles, construction, analysis and modelling of basic semi-conductor devices; fundamental principles of digital electronics including binary arithmetic, combinational and sequential circuits, and short assembly language programs; and experimental work involving diodes, transistor amplifiers and FPGAs/microcontrollers.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ELEC ENG 1101
    Course Electronic Systems
    Coordinating Unit School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact up to 7 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible ELEC ENG 1009, ELEC ENG 1100
    Course Description This course develops a basic understanding of the fundamentals and principles of analog circuits, electronic devices and digital electronics in electrical and electronic engineering. It covers the key electrical variables and the application of fundamental circuit laws and theorems to DC/AC resistive circuits; the analysis of RLC circuits including resonance; the principles, construction, analysis and modelling of basic semi-conductor devices; fundamental principles of digital electronics including binary arithmetic, combinational and sequential circuits, and short assembly language programs; and experimental work involving diodes, transistor amplifiers and FPGAs/microcontrollers.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Emeritus Professor Michael Liebelt

    Circuits and Electronics Lectures / Course Coordinator
    Name: Prof Michael Liebelt
    Email: michael.liebelt@adelaide.edu.au
    Room: Ingkarni Wardli 3.36

    Circuits and Electronics Lectures
    Name: Dr Matthew Sorell
    Email: matthew.sorell@adelaide.edu.au 
    Room: Ingkarni Wardli 3.37

    Digital Electronics Lectures
    Name: Dr Braden Phillips
    Email: braden.phillips@adelaide.edu.au
    Room: Ingkarni Wardli 3.38

    Practical Coordinator
    Name: Dr Hong-Gunn Chew
    Email: honggunn.chew@adelaide.edu.au
    Room: Ingkarni Wardli 3.52
    Course Timetable

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

    This course consists of the following components:

    1. Circuits, Electronics and Digital
    Three lectures a week starting in Week 1.  This will be accompanied by weekly tutorials starting in Week 2.

    2. Practicals
    One three-hour practical session per week, starting in Week 4, until the end of semester.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 Describe the meaning of the key electrical variables (charge, voltage, current and power).
    2 Apply fundamental circuit laws (Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws) and basic electrical circuit theorems (series and parallel elements, voltage/current divider, Thevenin's theorem) to predict the behaviour of DC and AC resistive circuits.
    3 Analyse simple circuits using diodes, including half- and full-wave rectifier circuits.
    4 Apply simple models of bipolar and field effect transistors, and operational amplifiers, to predict the behaviour of simple amplifier circuits.
    5 Explain and model the frequency-dependent behaviour of circuits containing a single capacitor or inductor.
    6 Explain the principles of operation and key performance characteristics of AC and DC motors
    7 Explain the operation of circuits using transistors in switching mode to achieve speed control of a DC motor.
    8 Analyse and synthesise simple digital systems based on combinational logic, state machine and programmed microcontroller approaches.
    9 Choose appropriate hardware and software for the implementation of simple digital systems.
    10 Demonstrate practical skills in the construction and testing of simple electrical and electronic circuits.

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
    The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1   1.2   1.3   1.4   1.5   1.6   2.1   2.2   2.3   2.4   3.1   3.2   3.3   3.4   3.5   3.6   

    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-10
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    9, 10
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    1) The following required resources are available on the course website:

    • Lecture notes: you can print these yourself, or purchase them from EEESAU (the local student branch of an electrical and electronic engineering technical society) at the beginning of the semester at reasonable cost, see signs around the Engineering North and IW building.

    • Online tests: these are both available and submitted on the course website.

    • Tutorial questions: these are available on the course website in the week leading up to the tutorial.


    2) A toolkit containing prototyping boards and basic tools is required  for the practical sessions.  Please purchase the kit through the University online shop. The toolkits wil cost $80 but represent $150 in  retail value.   The online shop link will be available during the Orientation Week lecture and through MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    1) Practice problems are available on the course website for most of the course segments. Some of these will be used in the online tests and tutorial questions.

    2) Reference Books
    The course lecture notes should provide sufficient information for most students, however you may find the following reference book useful if you are have difficulty with the material or are interested in learning more about any of the topics in this course.  Copies of the book are available in the Barr Smith library.
    • A.R. Hambley: Electrical Engineering - Principles and Applications, 6th Edition, Pearson.
    • D. Harris and S. Harris: Digital Design and Computer Architecture, 1st or 2nd Edition, Morgan Kaufmann

    Online Learning
    This course will use a variety of online resources to support the  learning process.  Recorded presentations on key concepts, theory and  methods will be made available for viewing prior to scheduled lectures, at which the content of the presentations will be discussed in more  detail, in the context of applications and problem-solving exercises. It is essential that student view these presentations before attending lectures.

    Video recordings of lectures will normally be made available on the course website after each lecture.

    In addition, the following material will be provided on the course website at the start or during the course of the semester:
    • lecture notes and tutorial questions
    • some past assessment examples (quizzes and exams)
    • additional exercise problems

    All course announcements will be made via the course website. In addition,  important announcements will also be emailed to all course participants.

    The use of the course discussion boards is strongly encouraged for questions relating to course material, but also for more general
    discussion on electrical and electronic engineering and technology. Anonymous posts will be permitted, offensive posts will not. Lecturers will make a best effort to respond promptly to questions raised on the discussion boards.

    The course gradebook will be used to return continuous assessment marks. Students should check the gradebook regularly and confirm their marks have been correctly entered.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course uses on-line content, lectures, tutorials and practicals to achieve its learning objectives. Students will be expected to prepare for lectures by viewing and in some cases interacting with online  presentations explaining the theory and concepts that are the foundation of learning in this course. Lectures will be largely devoted to explaining the context and application of the theory and concepts, and to undertake problem-solving exercises. Tutorials will be used for assisted problem-solving by students, working individually or in groups.
    Workload

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

    Activity Detail Contact Hours Workload Hours
    Lectures 36 lectures 36 54
    Tutorials 12 tutorials 12 24
    Practicals 8 3-hr sessions 24 32
    On-line tests 12 tests 0 12
    Mid-semester tests 2 tests 2 6
    Exam 1 exam 3 24
    Total 77 152
    Learning Activities Summary
    A. Circuits
    Electrical variables (charge, electric field, voltage,current, magnetic field, energy, power), electrical components (voltage and current sources, resistors, open and short circuits, inductors, capacitors) and fundamental circuit laws (Ohm’s law, KVL and KCL). Application to DC and AC resistive circuits.

    Key electrical circuit theorems (series and parallel elements, voltage/current divider, Thevenin's theorems).  Application to DC and AC resistive circuits.

    B. Electronics
    Basic electronic devices and building blocks (diodes, bipolar and field-effect transistors, op-amps).  Principles, construction and modelling using simplified equivalent circuits.  Analysis of circuits containing these devices.

    C. Electrical Machines and Power Electronics
    Principles of operation of DC and AC motors; equivalent circuits. Relationships between current, torque, voltage and speed in DC motors. Performance parameters and efficiency. Speed control of DC machines using switched transistors.

    D. Digital
    Analog and digital representation, implementation platforms (discrete logic, embedded computers and reconfigurable logic), digital logic circuits (combinational logic, finite state machines, number representation), introduction to microcontrollers, introduction to FPGAs, I/O devices.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Laboratory clothing restrictions apply to the practical sessions: closed-toe shoes; covered shoulders; long hair must be tied back.

    Small Group Discovery Experience
    This course does not include a Small Group Discovery Experience.
  • 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 Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes
    Exam 60 Individual Summative Week 14 Min 40% 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
    Mid-semester tests 10 Individual Formative TBA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
    Online tests 10 Individual Formative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
    Practicals 20 Group Formative Weeks 3-12 Min 40% 10.
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This assessment breakdown is registered as an exemption to the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy. The exemption is related to the Procedures clause(s): 1. b. 3.   
     
    This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    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.

    In the Electronic Systems course the examination and practical components are hurdle requirements. It is necessary to achieve at least 40% in all these components. If the exam hurdle requirement is not achieved, the total course mark will be limited to a maximum of 49. If the practical requirement is not met, the total course mark will be limited to a maximum of 44.

    It is important to note there is NO supplementary assessment offered for the practical after the end of Week 12. By arrangement with the Practical coordinator, it will be possible throughout the semester for students who are falling significantly behind to have supplementary opportunities. However if students persistently neglect the practical component throughout semester they are likely to not meet the hurdle requirement and hence fail the course without further opportunity for redemption. Exceptions will be made in the case of verifiable medical or compassionate circumstances beyond the student’s control.

    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 e.g. 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

    No information currently available.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    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 semester 1, 2016.  Student feedback at the end of the course indicated that students had some difficulty understanding the context and the significance of the theory presented, and were dissatisfied with the mode of delivery of some sections of the course.  In response, for 2017 the content of the course has been revised to focus on application areas, of energy, sources and loads, electrical machines and amplifiers. The delivery mode has been changed, with a large part of the course to be delivered in flipped mode, with new concepts and theories covered in online presentations, and lecture slots devoted to explanation of the theory and how it relates to practical applications, and problem-solving techniques.
  • 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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