ECE Undergraduate Laboratory
ECE 371 - Electronic Circuits Design

ECE 371 - Electronic Circuits Design

ECE 371 Class Project

INTRODUCTION

Even though the world of electronics is dominated by the versatility of programming microcontrollers and microprocessors to solve very complex problems through very powerful algorithms, the analog world is still an integral part of most designs. This project, with at least fifty percent analog circuitry, will motivate the students to respect, master and learn invaluable lessons from that part of the electronics field.


MOTIVATION

The decision to focus on analog circuitry for the junior class project stems from several important reasons. Analog circuits, with their continuous signals and intricate designs, are at the basis of countless electronic systems, from audio amplifiers to medical devices to power supplies. Real world applications are a hybrid combination of digital and analog components and circuits, making both implementations and knowledge fundamental to both future engineers and technologists. In addition, analog circuitry will prepare the students for being concerned and utilizing the underlying physics, which will allow engineers to deal with noise, distortion, nonlinearities, delays, transmission line problems, and power dissipation that plague the digital world.


OBJECTIVES

Regardless of the specific application, the project emphasizes the following key learning goals:

  1. Mastery of Analog Circuit Fundamentals
  2. Design and Analysis Skills
  3. Problem-solving and Troubleshooting
  4. Communication and Collaboration

The students will appreciate the ability to bridge the gap between the digital and the analog domains. The students should learn to cultivate and strengthen the attributes of creativity and resilience. Throughout the laboratory experiments and this project, the students should be grateful for the contributions of different members of the team. They learn to lead and follow. They should be able to focus on the project rather than their individual prowess.


PROJECT STEPS and REQUIREMENTS

After researching a topic, or a circuit that excites you, leading to a useful application, build a block diagram that determines the functions needed to generate the required responses or tasks. Find the appropriate circuits that will implement the desired functions. Simulate as much of the circuit as you can and prepare for the implementation based on available components. It would be judicious to tweak an available circuit to fit a different application or have your own design to meet the necessary requirements. A hardware implementation is mandatory.


References

Lecture Notes, Course textbook, other texts or world wide web resources.


REPORT

Five tasks are required:

  1. Simulation of as much of the circuit as possible
  2. A power point
  3. Presentation of the power point in front of the class
  4. A report that has as many details as required for a third party to duplicate the project or to send it to a higher level of quality or application.
  5. A working realization.

Very limited List of Possible Topics


  1. Design and Optimization of Low-Noise Analog Amplifiers
  2. Analysis and Implementation of Active Filters for Signal Processing
  3. Exploring Nonlinear Effects in Analog Circuits: Distortion and Harmonic Generation
  4. High-Frequency Analog Circuit Design Techniques for RF Applications
  5. Understanding the Role of Feedback in Analog Systems: Stability and Compensation
  6. Analog-to-Digital Conversion Techniques: Comparing SAR, Delta-Sigma, and Flash ADCs
  7. Power Supply Design: Linear vs. Switching Regulators for Efficiency and Performance
  8. Sensor Interface Circuitry: Conditioning and Amplification of Weak Signals
  9. Audio Electronics: Building High-Fidelity Preamplifiers and Equalization Networks
  10. Oscillator Circuits and Frequency Synthesis: Generating Stable Clock Signals for Digital Systems
  11. Analog Multiplexing Techniques for Data Acquisition Systems
  12. Op-Amp Applications: Comparators, Integrators, and Differentiators
  13. Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs) and Frequency Synthesis in Communication Systems
  14. Understanding and Mitigating Crosstalk in Analog Circuits
  15. Temperature Compensation Techniques in Analog Sensor Design
  16. Analog Front-End Design for Biomedical Signal Processing
  17. Low-Power Design Considerations for Portable Analog Devices
  18. Noise Reduction Techniques in Analog Circuits: Filtering and Shielding Strategies
  19. Analog Voltage and Current References: Precision and Stability Considerations
  20. Advanced Analog IC Design: Modeling and Simulation of Complex Circuits

This list did not include the usage of sensors, transducers, microcontrollers, and it is surely not exhaustive. Refer to the instructor to confirm the approval of your topic.