The main objective of the course is to introduce students to 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 practical classes.

Knowledge of the basic laws governing electrical circuits.
Knowledge of analysis method for electrical circuits.
Knowledge of the properties of the responses of linear time-invariant circuits.
Ability to compute and explain the responses of electrical circuits.
Ability to relate the responses of circuit models to the behavior of real systems.
Ability to use a modern computer program for Computer-aided Circuit Analysis (SPICE).

Physics: power and energy, basic electromagnetics.
Mathematics: linear algebra and matrix analysis, algebraic linear systems, first-order linear differential equations, algebra of complex numbers, partial fraction decomposition of rational functions.

The course is structured in a "core" part (8 credits) and an "advanced/applications" part (2 credits). The "core" part is common to all the students attending the course. The "advanced/applications" part is only for students enrolled in the Electronic and Communications Engineering and Physics Engineering (not required for Computer Engineering students).

1. Core part (8 credits)

Kirchhoff equations, nodal analysis, general properties of linear resistive circuits, linear resistive 2-port elements, linear dynamic circuits, Laplace analysis, ac circuits and frequency response

2. Advanced/Applications part (2 credits)

Automated circuit analysis (SPICE), state-space equations, dynamic multiport elements, fundamentals on nonlinear circuits and switching power converters

The course is organized into lectures and practical classes. Practical classes (approximately 40% of each credit) are aimed at applying the general circuit analysis methods presented during the lectures. During practical classes, active participation from the students is required. A few hours are dedicated to a basic introduction to computer-based circuit simulation programs (SPICE).

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
R. Perfetti, Circuiti elettrici, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2003.
M. Biey, Spice e PSpice: introduzione all'uso, CLUT, Torino, 2001.

Lecture handout and problem files for the practical classes, as well as additional material such as examples of final tests, are available for download from the course web site. Please refer to the course web site for the most updated material and for any official communication.

The knowledge, and the ability to apply it, will be verified during the final examination, which is structured in a written test followed by a validation session, possibly including an oral test (the written test and the validation/oral session very likely not on the same day).

The written test has a "closed book" format (no books, notes, calculators allowed), it lasts two hours and is composed of multiple choice questions (up to 22 points) and a circuit analysis problem with open questions (up to 8 points). The written test is passed with at least 18/30 points. The basis for the final marks is provided by the score of the written test, which can be increased (or decreased) based on the possible oral test.

The grading criteria take into account:
• the correctness of the answer provided to the written problems and oral questions
• the ability to appropriately use the technical terms
• the autonomy and promptness of the student in providing the answers