ELEC ENG 1101 - Electronic Systems

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2019

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
    Assessment Final exam, mid-semester quiz, online tests and practical work
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Braden Phillips

    Lectures / Course Coordinator
    Name: Dr Braden Phillips
    Email: braden.phillips@adelaide.edu.au
    Room: Ingkarni Wardli 3.38

    Lectures
    Name: Dr Wendy Lee
    Email: wendy.lee@adelaide.edu.au 
    Room: Ingkarni Wardli 3.27

    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.

    The course is presented as 6 topics. For each topic there are the following scheduled activities::

    1. Lectures
    Three lectures a week throughout semester. For each topic there are typically 5 lectures.

    2. Tutorials
    Tutorials occur weekly thoughout semester from week 2. For each topic there are typically 2 tutorials.

    3. Tests
    Tests occur during a lecture timeslot. There is a test for each of the first 4 topics.

    4. Practicals
    There is a three-hour practical session per week, starting in Week 3. There are typically 2 practicals sessions for each of the first 5 topics.
  • 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 diode circuits and power supplies, including half- and full-wave rectifier circuits, voltage doublers, and buck converters.
    4 Simulate simple analog circuits to verify their behaviour.
    5 Explain the principles of operation and key performance characteristics of AC and DC motors.
    6 Explain the operation of circuits using transistors in switching mode to achieve speed control of a DC motor.
    7 Apply simple models of bipolar and field effect transistors, and operational amplifiers, to predict the behaviour of simple amplifier circuits.
    8 Analyse and design simple digital systems based on combinational logic, state machine and programmed microcontroller approaches.
    9 Demonstrate practical skills in the simulation, 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   1.6   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, 7, 8, 9
    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
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    1) The following resources are available on the course website:

    • Slides: a complete ste of lectures slides is available on MyUni.

    • Slide Presentations: these pre-recorded slide presentations cover key concepts in the course. Students are expect to be familiar with this material in preparation for lectures.

    • 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.

    • Practical instructions: these are available on the course website ahead of the practicals.

    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.

    2) Theory Presentations: these pre-recorded presentations provide supplementary coverage of important concepts in the course.

    3) 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, 2014. ISBN13: 9780133116649
    • 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 slide presentations on key concepts, theory and methods will be made available 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 the slide presentations or read the slides 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:
    • slides, slide presentations, and tutorial questions
    • some past assessment examples (tests and exams)
    • additional practice questions

    All course announcements will be made via the course website..

    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 were possible, 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 online slide presentations explaining the theory and concepts that are the foundation of learning in this course. Lectures will be largely devoted to demonstrations and active learning activites that explain the context and application of the theory, develop a deeper undersatnding of the key concepts, and provide an opporuntity to practice solving problems. Tutorials will be used for assisted problem-solving by students, working individually or in groups. Students are expected to prepare before tutorials and this preparation will be assessed.
    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 30 lectures 30 60
    Tutorials 11 tutorials 11 22
    Practicals 9 3-hr sessions 27 32
    On-line tests 11 tests 0 6
    Mid-semester tests 4 tests 4 12
    Exam 1 exam 3 24
    Total 75 156
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topic 1: Circuits, Sources and Loads
    Electrical concepts: charge, current, voltage Sources and Loads: power, resistors, sources
    DC circuit analysis: Kirchhoff’s laws, series and parallel resistors, voltage divider, current divider, Thevenin’s theorem, analysis strategies
    Energy and power: batteries, efficiency, maximum power transfer AC concepts: DC and AC, sinusoidal functions, AC voltage and current, RMS

    Topic 2: Power Supplies
    Diodes: ideal diodes, diode construction and operation, IV characteristic, ideal and first order models
    Half wave rectifiers: peak output voltage, capacitors, voltage ripple
    Full wave rectifiers: voltage ripple, transformers
    Voltage regulators: regulators, voltage doublers, inductors
    DC-DC converters: transistors as switches, RL circuits, switched regulators

    Topic 3: Machines and Power Electronics
    Machine concepts: force on a conductor, motor and generator action, commutation, DC motors, Faraday’s law, DC generators, AC motors
    DC machines: equivalent circuit model, torque/current and voltage/speed relationships, performance parameters, efficiency
    AC machines: rotating magnetic fields, synchronous machines, inductor motors, comparison of electric machines
    Power electronics: speed control of DC motors, pulse width modulation, H bridges, H-bridge drive of DC motors

    Topic 4: Linear Amplifiers
    Amplifier concepts: input resistance and output resistance, gain, offset, maximum output voltage and current, differential amplifiers
    Op-amps: concept, equivalent circuit model, inverting, non-inverting and summing amplifiers, power op-amps
    Transistors: principles of BJTs and MOSFETs, simple models, linear amplifier configurations
    Frequency dependent gain: frequency response, RC transfer function, cross-over frequency, low pass and high pass filters

    Topic 5: Combinational Logic
    Analog and digital electronics: analog and digital representation, applications of digital electronics
    Managing complexity: abstraction, modularity, abstraction, design communication
    Logic gates: Boolean logic, logic gates
    Digital logic technologies: discrete logic, FPGAs, microcontrollers, PLCs
    Boolean logic and algebra: Boolean equations, truth tables, algebraic simplification, Karnaugh maps
    Number systems: positional number systems, unsigned binary, signed number representation, hexadecimal, other binary codes
    Adders: binary addition, binary subtraction, adders, busses and bus notation

    Topic 6: Sequential Logic and Devices
    FPGAs: multiplexers, logic with memories, benefits of FPGAs, applications of FPGAs, how FPGAs work
    Sequential logic: combinational and sequential, synchronous and asynchronous, storage elements
    Moore finite state machines: synthesising finite state machines
    Microcontrollers: embedded computers, applications and benefits of microcontrollers, how microcontrollers work, program development Analog and digital signals: digital to analog converters, pulse width modulation, analog to digital converters, successive approximation conversion, sampled data systems
    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 40-60 Individual Summative Week 14 Min 40% 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8.
    Mid-semester tests (4) 0-20 Individual Summative Weeks 5, 7, 9, 11 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8.
    Weekly online tests including tutorial preparation 10 Individual Formative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8.
    Practicals 20 Group Formative Weeks 3-12 Min 40% 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
    Tutorial participation 5 Individual Formative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8.
    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. urdle 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.

    The following changes have been made in response to sutudent feedback from 2018

    • Tutorial preparation will be assessed as part of the weekly online test
    • The format of the tutorials has been adjusted to be more inline with the mathematics "whiteboard tutorials" and to encourage students to collaborate in small groups.
    • There will be a small component of the assessment awarded for tutorial preparation.
    • The course resources including lecture notes and slide presentations for Topics 5 and 6 have been updated.
  • 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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