Course Description

ECE 5364 – Electronic Circuit Design

1999 Catalog Data: ECE 5364: Electronic Circuit Design Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: ECE 3456 and
credit for or concurrent enrollment in ECE 5112.

Design of linear integrated circuits. Op-amp design and modeling, op-amp

parameters and their effects on designs. Electronic noise sources and their
control. Design and simulation of differential amplifiers, active filters,
oscillators, and other linear and non-linear circuits using linear intergrated
circuits.

Course Goals: This course is intended to take students from an understanding of electronics
concepts into applications in electronic circuit design. The primary emphasis is
on circuits that use operational amplifiers (op-amps) to achieve design goals.
The limitations of practical op-amps, and their use in active filter design are
emphasized in this course. A limited introduction to noise and noise sources is
also included. The students usually have two major design projects, which are
completed in teams, and involve formal presentations. This course is closely
aligned with the laboratory course ECE 5112, which must be taken in the same
semester.

Credit: 3 semester hours.

Textbook: Design with Operational Amplifiers and Analog Integrated Circuits, 2nd Ed.,
Sergio Franco, WCB McGraw-Hill., 1998.

Course Coordinator: D.P. Shattuck, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Prerequisites by Topic:
1. Operational Amplifiers
2. Transistor amplifiers
3. Thevenin’s and Norton’s theorems
4. Bode Plots.
5. Familiarity with computer tools such as electronic mail, word processing, and
circuit analysis programs

Course Topics:
1. Op-amp circuit review, feedback review (6 hours)
2. Op amp applications (6 hours)
3. Nonideal op-amp parameters and their effects on design (6 hours)
4. Stability in feedback amplifiers (6 hours)
5. Active Filter design (3 hours)
6. Noise properties and noise sources (6 hours)
7. Oral presentation skills (3 hours)
8. Student project presentations (3 hours)

Computer Usage: Computer workstations running various mathematical programs, circuit analysis
programs, spreadsheets and word processors are available to the students. The
use of these programs is left to the students to use as aids to understanding of the

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 concepts of the course. Electronic mail is routinely used for communication
between students and instructors.

Objectives:
1. Students should learn how to do basic op-amp based amplifier design.
2. Students should learn how the nonideal aspects of op-amps can affect
circuits, and how to design to minimize these effects.
3. Students should learn the fundamentals of how active filter design is
approached, and get some experience in such designs.
4. Students should gain experience in designing, testing, and evaluating
electronic circuits.
5. Students should gain experience in team work on electronics projects.
6. Students should gain experience presenting their work orally and in writing.

Course Requirements and Assessments:

1. There is 1 90-minute examination during the semester, and a 3-hour final
examination.
2. There are several major homework assignments given during the semester,
and occasional quizzes, with additional work assigned at the discretion of the
instructor.
3. There are two major projects. The projects are completed in teams, with
results presented orally and with a written report.
4. The course grade is assigned using weightings which are set by the
instructors. Typical weights are:
Quizzes and Homework grades 10%
Mid-term Exam 20%
Laboratory and Projects 35%
Final Exam: 35%

ABET Categories: Engineering Science: 0.8 semester hour; Engineering Design: 1.8 semester
hours; General Education: 0.4 semester hour.

Prepared by: David P. Shattuck, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
May 27, 1999

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Program Course Objectives:

The ECE Program course objectives may be found on the ECE Department web page. The manner in
which the applicable objectives are addressed by ECE 5364 are listed below. If this course does not
address a particular objective, the abbreviation NA is shown.

1) To give each student a solid knowledge-base in the fundamentals of mathematics and basic science.
NA

2) To give each student a solid knowledge-base in the fundamentals of electrical and computer
engineering. This course reinforces some major concepts, such as frequency analysis, feedback and
amplification. This reinforcement is especially effective since it involves the students using these
concepts in their own design projects.

3) To develop in each student the basic skills of problem solving and critical thinking. Students must
solve problems involved in electronic circuit design. One of the major premises of the course is that
this works best when students have a solid understanding of the concepts involved. Students are
required to show this understanding on exams and on projects.

4) To give each student a significant modern laboratory experience, including performing measurements
as well as the analysis and interpretation of data. The two major projects are circuits that must be
built, and tested, and demonstrated.

5) To develop in each student the team-working skills necessary to perform effectively as an engineer.
Both of the major projects are assigned to groups. Students must be able to function effectively in
their groups to complete these projects successfully.

6) To develop in each student good writing skills so that they are able to communicate technical
material effectively and clearly. A written report on the project must be submitted by each group.

7) To develop in each student good oral communication skills so that they are able to communicate
effectively with others. A presentation must be given by each group for each of the two major design
projects. One or two lectures are set aside for teaching the fundamentals of technical presentations.

8) To impart to each student a sense of ethical and professional responsibility. NA

9) To give each student the type of real-world design experien ce that is crucial to the education of an
engineer, including an appreciation for technical, economic, and social issues. NA

10) To give each student knowledge of contemporary issues that relate to engineering. NA

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