Electronics

It does not require experience in electronics.

1 – Theoretical classes: Presentation of fundamental concepts and techniques of analysis and design, essential for practical classes. Analog electronic circuits and simple embedded systems will be studied, with support from the PSpice, LTspice, and Tinkercad platforms. Topics such as energy literacy, decarbonization, IoT, and IIoT will also be introduced.

2 – Practical classes: Solving exercises and developing practical projects focused on the analysis, design, and simulation of low-complexity analog circuits using PSpice and Python. This also includes implementing two final projects with an Arduino Nano: a traffic light control system and an electronic lock.

The course aims to help students understand electronics at various levels of abstraction, from physical fundamentals to analog and digital electronics, and to explain the role of the analog computer in connecting the digital computer to the environment. It also aims to raise awareness of energy literacy and decarbonization issues, promoting greater awareness of the need to change behaviors and lifestyles.

In the theoretical component, students study electrical quantities, elementary circuit analysis, and semiconductor physics to understand how devices such as diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers operate. They should also understand forms of information processing in analog electronics, including discrete components and integrated circuits, as well as the architecture and requirements of embedded systems and basic notions of IoT and IIoT.

In the laboratory component, the aim is to develop practical skills in handling electronic components, analyzing analog electronic systems, and using circuit simulation tools such as PSpice, LTspice, and Tinkercad. Students should also gain knowledge of simulating dynamic systems in Python and of using embedded systems design tools.

· 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, sustainability and the circular economy, highlighting the contribution of information technology to the sustainable management of resources.

· 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.

· Semiconductors:

• The atom;

• Materials used in Electronics;

• Electron and hole;

• Extrinsic and intrinsic semiconductors;

• N-Type semiconductor;

• P-Type semiconductor;

• PN junction – Diode.

· 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.

· 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.

· Bipolar junction transistor:

• Structure;

• Basic operation;

• Characteristics and operation;

• BJT as an amplifier;

• BJT AC models;

• Common-emitter amplifier.

• Analysis of BJT circuits (DC and AC).

· 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.

· Digital to Analog Converters (CAD):

• Sample and hold circuit;

• Nyquist’s theorem;

• Aliasing;

• Quantization block;

• Characteristics;

• CAD architectures.

· 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.

· 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).

The final grade depends on two components:

The written component (midterm test or exam) accounts for 75% of the final grade, and a minimum score of 35% is required.

• Students who take the first midterm test are not allowed to take the first final exam but may take the second.
• If a student submits the first midterm test, they opt for continuous assessment, regardless of whether they take the second midterm test.
• If a student misses the second midterm test (SMT), the final grade will be calculated with a score of 0 for that test (SMT).

The practical component includes six assignments and makes up 25% of the final grade.

NAO