Electronics

It does not require experience in electronics.

1 – Theoretical classes: Description of fundamental concepts and techniques of analysis and design, which enables students to acquire essential skills for practical classes. Several analog electronics circuits used in digital systems will be analyzed. Some simple embedded systems implemented on the Tinkercad (online simulation platform) will also be examined. Some concepts about energy literacy will be presented. An introduction to the core principles of IoT (Internet of Things) and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) will be provided.

2 – Practical classes: Resolution of exercises, namely analysis and design of low complexity analog circuits and their implementation in a breadboard. Implementation of the two final projects using the Arduino nano development board (traffic light control system and electric lock control system).

In the theoretical part, the main electrical quantities will be introduced, as well as some circuit analysis techniques. The concepts of inductance and capacitance will also be explained. Afterwards, semiconductors will be discussed, enabling students to understand the working principles of diodes, Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs), and operational amplifiers (amp-ops).

Students should understand how some commonly used electronic systems work, especially regarding the Digital / Analog interface.

Embedded systems (ES) will also be introduced. In this context, students should understand the architecture and characteristics of an embedded system, as well as identify its functional requirements and the primary tools used in its design.

Finally, students will learn the core principles of IoT (Internet of Things) and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), with energy literacy concepts integrated throughout the semester.

Regarding the laboratory component, students are expected to develop competencies through manipulating electrical and electronic components in practical applications. Likewise, they should gain skills in using electrical circuit simulation tools. Students should also learn the basic skills needed for using tools in the design of ES.

1. Introduction:

• Definitions of basic electrical quantities;

• Fundamental elements of a circuit;

• Electrical resistance, Ohm’s law, Joule effect and superconductors;

• Renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, energy sustainability and circular economy.

2. Circuit analysis techniques:

• Laws of Kirchhoff;

• Analysis of elementary circuits;

• Analysis Methods: Mesh analysis and Nodal analysis;

• Thevenin’s theorem;

• Simulation of electrical and electronic circuits using simulation tools: Pspice, LTspice and Tinkercad.

3. Semiconductors:

• The atom;

• Materials used in Electronics;

• Electron and hole;

• Extrinsic and intrinsic semiconductors;

• N-Type semiconductor;

• P-Type semiconductor;

• PN junction – Diode.

4. Diode:

• Diode operation;

• V-I characteristic;

• Diode model;

• Circuit analysis;

• Analysis and simulation of circuits with diodes using the Python programming language;

• Most relevant applications in the field of computer engineering.

5. Electricity and the human body:

• Voltage characteristics of grid electricity;

• Root mean square value;

• Severity of electrical current in the human body;

• Main physiological effects of electric current on the human body.

6. Bipolar junction transistor:

• Structure;

• Basic operation;

• Characteristic and operation;

• BJT as an amplifier;

• BJT AC models;

• Common-emitter amplifier.

• Analysis of BJT circuits (DC and AC).

7. Operational amplifier:

• Differential amplifier;

• Integrated circuits;

• Characteristics of amp-ops and schematic symbol;

• Circuit model;

• Characteristics of an Ideal amp-op;

• Ideal amp-op analysis;

• Different types of feedback;

• Mathematical operations;

• Amp-op versus analog computer.

8. Digital to Analog Converters (CAD):

• Sample and hold circuit;

• Nyquist’s theorem;

• Aliasing;

• Quantization block;

• Characteristics;

• CAD architectures.

9. Embedded Systems (ES):

• Fundamental concepts;

• Structure;

• Microcontrollers;

• Processor types: GPP, ASIP e ASIC;

• Instruction Set Architecture: CISC versus RISC;

• Von Neumann versus Harvard architectures

• Memories in ES: RAM, ROM e FLASH;

• Arduino nano development board;

• Integrated development environment;

• Design of embedded systems using the Tinkercad simulation tool;

• Sensors;

• Actuators;

• User interface.

10. Internet of Things versus Industrial Internet of Things

• Applications, challenges, definitions and advantages

• History (M2M and IoT) and evolution;

• Architectures and main components;

• Sensor technologies used in IoT systems and their applications;

• Communication protocols: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet and MQQT;

• Control systems (Feedback control and Feedforward control) and real-time control;

• Components of an industrial automation system: PLC, SCADA, HMI and MES;

• Synergy between Industrial Automation and IoT (IIoT).

NAO