The course is taught in English.
The main objective of the course is to introduce students to the comprehension of the basic laws governing lumped electrical circuits, giving suitable and general methods for their analysis. In particular, the course provides fundamental tools to analyze high-order dynamic circuits in the time and in the frequency-domain. An introduction to automated circuit analysis via computer-based simulation is also provided. The theory is complemented by several in-class exercise sessions.

Knowledge of the basic laws governing electrical circuits.
Knowledge of general analysis techniques for high order dynamic circuits.
Ability to analyze electric circuits, choosing the most convenient techniques.
Ability to use a modern computer program for Computer-aided Circuit Analysis (Spice).

Physics: power and energy, basic electromagnetics.
Mathematics: algebra of complex numbers, linear algebra and matrix analysis, algebraic linear systems, first-order linear differential equations, Laplace transform.

- Resistive circuits (4 credits). Lumped circuits; voltage, current, power. Reference directions. Kirchhoff laws. Linear and nonlinear resistors; diodes; independent sources. Series and parallel connection of resistive one-port elements. Two-port and multi-port elements: dependent sources, ideal transformer, ideal operational amplifier. Analysis of resistive circuits: nodal analysis and its variants. Network theorems: substitution, Thevenin, Norton, superposition. Analysis of circuits with ideal diodes.
- Dynamic circuits (4 credits). Linear inductors and capacitors; series and parallel connection of inductors and capacitors. First order RC and RL circuits. Analysis by inspection under piecewise constant excitation. General dynamic circuits. Second order circuits. Transient analysis of high-order circuits using the Laplace transform. Network functions: impedance, admittance and transfer functions. Natural frequencies and stability. Connection between frequency-domain and time-domain responses. Extension of network theorems to dynamic circuits.
- Sinusoidal steady state (1 credit). Circuit equations in sinusoidal steady state, symbolic analysis, phasors. Bode plots. Power in sinusoidal steady state. Resonant circuits; power matching.
- Dynamic two-port elements (1 credit): characterization and connection of two-port elements. Coupled inductors. Loaded two-port elements. Reciprocity.

In-class exercise sessions are aimed at practicing the general circuit analysis methods presented during the lectures. Approximately 40% of each credit consists of exercise sessions requiring active participation from the students. A few hours are dedicated to a basic introduction to computer-based circuit simulation programs (Spice). A special project will be proposed (optional), to be carried out by the interested students individually (at home), and consisting in the solution of a complex circuit using computer-based methods.

Reference textbook:
C.K. Alexander, M.N.O. Sadiku, Fundamentals of Electric Circuits (third edition), Mc Graw-Hill International Edition, 2008.
Additional texts:
Charles A. Desoer and Ernest S. Kuh, Basic circuit theory. McGraw- Hill, 1969
V. Daniele, A. Liberatore, R. Graglia, S. Manetti, Elettrotecnica, III edizione, Monduzzi Editore, Bologna, 2005.
R. Perfetti, Circuiti elettrici, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2003.
M. Biey, Esercitazioni di elettrotecnica, CLUT, Torino, 1988.
M. Biey, Spice e PSpice: introduzione all'uso, CLUT, Torino, 2001.
An exercise book is available for download from the course web site, as well additional material such as templates of final tests. The exercise book is the reference material for all exercise labs. Please refer to the course web site for the most updated material and for any official communication.

The exam is structured in a written test followed by an oral test. The written part (duration 2 hours) includes 8 elementary questions (2 points each), for which the student is required to provide only the final results, and a single more complex circuit (14 points), for which the student is required to report all detailed steps of the solution. During the written test it is possible to use a scientific calculator; no texts, books and notes are admitted. The written test is passed with at least 15/30 points. The oral test starts with the correction of the written test, and continues with additional questions on the full course program. The basis for the final marks is provided by the score of the written test, which can be increased (or decreased) based on the oral test.
Successful completion of the special project with a written report (delivered by the end of the first exam session) grants up to 3 points, that will be added to the final marks of the written and oral tests.