Studying at York
Semiconductor Devices & Circuits - ELE00035I
- Department: Electronic Engineering
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: I
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module summary
The Semiconductor Devices and Circuits module introduces the most heavily used semiconductor devices (diode, bipolar junction transistor and field effect transistor) in electronic engineering with an emphasis on the analysis and design of common building blocks in analogue and digital electronics. The laboratory programme associated with the module reinforces theoretical concepts through designing, simulation, construction and measurement of such building blocks.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
Subject content aims:
- To introduce students to basic semiconductor devices (Diode, Bipolar Junction Transistor, and Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) and their applications in analogue electronics
- To introduce the underlying circuit principles of device models and circuits applicable to the internal design of operational amplifiers and power amplifiers
- To introduce large signal and power circuits
- To introduce frequency dependent effects and other limitations of semiconductor devices
-
To introduce the use of PSpice in the circuit design flow
Graduate skills aims:
- To develop skills in the application of applied numeracy and analytical techniques
Module learning outcomes
Subject content learning outcomes
After successful completion of this module, students will:
- Understand the basic principles of operation of semiconductor devices
- Understand the factors contributing to distortion in large signal and power amplifiers
- Be able to analyse and design transistor bias circuits and small signal transistor circuits
- Be able to determine small signal parameters and low frequency small signal equivalent circuits
- Be able to design, at a circuit level, the internal blocks of an operational amplifier and audio amplifiers
- Be able to analyse analogue power stages to determine their efficiency
- Be able to use PSpice tools to analyse the behaviour of semiconductor devices based circuits
Graduate skills learning outcomes
After successful completion of this module, students will:
- Be able to explain commonly encountered technical concepts concisely and accurately
- Be able to select and apply a range of mathematical techniques to solve problems
- Have developed skills in problem solving, critical analysis and applied mathematics
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 70 |
| Essay/coursework | 30 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 70 |
| Essay/coursework | 30 |
Module feedback
'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments.
A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback. This can be found at https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/assessment-and-examination/guide-to-assessment/
The Department of Electronic Engineering aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. Students are provided with their examination results within 20 working days of the end of any given examination period. The Department will also endeavour to return all coursework feedback within 20 working days of the submission deadline. The Department would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The Department will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.
Indicative reading
Razavi, B, ‘Fundamentals of Microelectronics’, John Wiley and Sons 2008, ISBN 978 0 471 47846 1
Floyd, TL, ‘Electronic Devices’, Macmillan Publishing 1991. ISBN 0 02 946362 9
Paul Grey, Paul Hurst, Stephen Lewis, Robert Meyer, ‘Analysis & Design of Analogue Integrated Circuits’, Wiley, 2003. ISBN0 471 37752 X