In this course the student will mature his/her background in Electronics and Measurements already initiated in the course "Electronic Systems and Technologies". The student will get ability in the analysis and design of electronic systems (including both analog and digital circuits) of medium complexity. The course also includes basic notions of Electronic Measurements with emphasis on measurements techniques, instruments and sensors.

During the course the student will develop the following skills:
- Analysis of analog and digital circuits ; A/D and D/A converters
- Read and use the data-sheets of basic circuits and devices
- Understand and provide the specifications of functional electronic blocks
- Design of simple electronic systems using commercial components
- Knowledge on interfacing techniques and methods for communication among electronic modules
- Knowledge on simple protocols and interface design
- Knowledge on electronic measurement techniques of medium complexity
- Use of measuring instruments and automatic measurement techniques
Lab experiences are also an important part of the course; the lab exercises have been designed to improve student’s skill in the mounting, characterization and testing of simple electronic systems as well as to develop student’s ability in writing technical reports and working in team.

Basic knowledge and concepts expected in the student’s background:
- Analysis of electrical networks in time and frequency domain
- Models and electrical characteristics of electronic devices: diodes and transistors
- Models, parameters and electrical characteristics of ideal operational amplifiers and their realistic limitations
- Analysis and lab characterization of electronic circuits with operational amplifiers
- Analysis, electrical parameters and lab characterization of simple digital circuits (inverter and logic families)
- Basics of electronic measurements of current, voltage and use of oscilloscope and signal generators

1. Digital circuits and sequential circuits (15 hours)
Interfacing among logic families
Sequential circuits: latches and flip-flops; registers and counters
Timing diagrams and speed of FSMs
Programmable logic devices (PAL, PLD, CPLD, FPGA)
Function generators: triangular and square waves; Clock generation

2. Data acquisition systems, D/A and A/D circuits (17 hours)
Data acquisition systems: principles
D/A and A/D converters: principles, non-ideal behavior and examples of circuits
Signal conditioning: amplifiers, anti-aliasing filters, MUX, sample and hold


3. Bus and interconnections (11 hours)
Introduction to interconnection among digital circuits
Principles of transmission lines; analysis and design techniques
Synchronous and asynchronous read and write cycles
Parallel and serial protocols
Signal integrity: crosstalk, ground bounce and switching noise



4. Power supply systems (8 hours)
AC/DC conversion
Voltage regulators
Switching voltage regulators
Design of a PSU

5. Advanced instruments (16.5 h)
a. Counters (3h)
b. Digital storage oscilloscopes (4.5 h)
c. Spectrum analyzers (4.5 h)
d. Virtual instruments
i. Digital acquisition boards (3 h)
ii. LabView (1.5 h)

6. Sensors (13.5 h)
a. Sensor characteristics (3 h)
b. Temperature sensors
i. Resistive Temperature Detectors(3 h)
ii. Thermocouples (1.5)
c. Mechanical sensors
i. Strain/force (1.5)
ii. Acceleration (1.5)
d. Other sensors (3 h)

7. Applied Electronics Labs (9 h)
a. Design, mounting and characterization of a simple igital electronic system
b. Design, mounting and characterization of D/A and A/D circuits
c. Measurements on transmission lines and line driving with logic gates


7. Measurement Labs (12 h)
a. Digital storage oscilloscope
b. Labview basics
c. Virtual Thermometer
d. Virtual Spectrum analyzer

A part of class lessons, the course includes 6-7 lab experiences (3 hours each) where students will test their skill on the mounting and characterization of electronic circuits and the use of electronic measuring instruments (digital oscilloscopes, current and voltage measurements, signal generators, etc...). The students will work in groups and it is requested to return lab reports. Lab reports are evaluated and contribute to the final exam mark.

All the slides presented by professors during the lessons will be available on the course web-site.
Additional material available on course web-site:
- Solutions of exercises corrected also in class and additional exercises
- General lab guide and detailed guides for each lab experience
- Additional notes on some lessons and/or particular topics

Recommended books:
- N. Storey, "Electronics: a system approach", Pearson, Fourth Edition.
- R.C. Jaeger, T.N. Blalock, "Microelectronic circuit design-PART II", Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill
- T.L. Floyd, "Digital Fundamentals", 10th Edition, Pearson, Prentice Hall
- S. Franco, "Design with operational amplifiers and analog integrated circuits", Third Edition, McGraw-Hill

The exam will assess the ability of solving simple design problems or analysing simple electronic systems or measurements set-up and writing comprehensive, clear and well-organized lab reports.. The student will be evaluated on their ability of rigorous analysis, correctness of the method used and use of the appropriate technical language.
The exam consists in a written test including solutions of
3 exercises concerning the analysis of analog and digital electronic systems , the design of simple electronic systems and the analysis design of measuring set-ups. The written part will also include 2 open questions on theoretical aspects of the course. The duration of the written exam is 2 hours. After the correction, the students will have an oral discussion on what they have done. Lab reports are also evaluated and contribute to the final exam score.