This course provides the general characteristics of an analog, digital or hybrid electronic system. The main analysis methods, implementation choices and fabrication technologies are presented. The course in particular is devoted to the study of some fundamental electronic modules like amplifiers realized with operational amplifiers in feedback configuration, interface stages and basic logic circuits, and analyzes the operation of the most important electronic devices.
Laboratory activities are supported by an introduction to the correct exploitation of the basic instrumentation available in an electronic measurement laboratory.

The course provides the basic knowledge allowing the student to comprehend the operation of electronic systems, identifying its main components and estimating its fundamental characteristics. Knowledge of semiconductor device models is acquired, together with the competence to design simple analog and digital circuits. The course contents make reference to three specific areas:
1) Structure of a complex electronic system, its characteristics, interfaces and realization techniques.
2) Electronic technologies, behavior and models for the main semiconductor devices, in relation with their use in a complex electronic system.
3) Basic analog (based on operational amplifiers) electronic circuits.
The student acquires the competences to cope with experimental issues on simple circuits, with reference to the use of the most important instruments available in an electronic measurement laboratory.

Basic knowledge of mathematics (integral and differential calculus), physics (electrostatics, DC current, wave phenomena), and circuit theory (fundamental laws, models and analysis methodologies) is required. Knowledge of Boolean algebra and numerical representation is also useful.

Experimental formation (20h)
- Prevention of accidents and laboratory behaviour
- Measure and measurements: errors and corrections; reading and instrumental errors.
- Use of the main laboratory: oscilloscope, tester and numerical, waveform generator.
- Experimental laboratories.
Electronic Measurements (20h)
- Uncertainty models, direct measurements / indirect
- Instrumentation: digital oscilloscope, digital voltmeters, AC voltmeters
- Measures time and frequency
- Signal generators, synthesizers
- RF Measurements
Introduction to electronic systems (20h)
- Functional module decomposition of a complex electronic system, time- and frequency-domain signal representation, analog and digital signals.
- Circuit theory review.
- Amplifier classification and main parameters.
- Negative feedback operational amplifiers. Inverting and non inverting amplifiers, also with reactive elements and with several inputs.
- Experimental laboratories
3 Real operational amplifiers (8h)
- Open loop amplification, input differential resi stance, output resistance.
- Input currents and input offset voltage.
- Transcharacteristics and limitations.
- Frequency response, slew-rate and stability.
Threshold comparators: circuits and applications (7 ore)
- Histeresis voltage compartors.
- Squarewave and triangular waveform generators.
Semiconductors and pn junction (10h)
- Semiconductors.
- Pn junction: static and dynamic characteristics, small and large signal models.
- Semiconductor technology.
MOS and bipolar transistors (15h)
- MOS capacitor.
- MOS transistor.
- Bipolar transistor.
- Overview on the internal structure of operational amplifiers.

The goal of laboratories is to check the lessons’ contents, pointing out the model limitations. The organization will be aimed to favour team working and will require the preparation of reports. Use will be made of pre-assembled testing circuits.

Practice classes (in total 18h) will follow the lessons’ contents. In the first part, emphasis will be given to the numerical estimation of the most important equilibrium and off-equilibrium semiconductor quantities. Later on, the main applications of the devices will be discussed. Practice classes, besides clarifying the working principles, will quantitatively analyze some applications. Laboratories will be devoted to the experimental characterization of some pre-assembled circuits to check their operation.

• Carullo, U.Pisani, A. Vallan, Fondamenti di misure e strumentazione elettronica , CLUT 2006 (ISBN: 978-88-7992-209-2)
• N. Storey, Electronics: A system approach (4th Ed.), Pearson 2009 (ISBN: 978-0-273-71918-2)
Testi di complemento
• F. Bonani, S. Donati Guerrieri, G. Masera, G. Piccinini, Dispositivi e tecnologie elettroniche, CLUT 2007 (ISBN: 978-88-7992-252-4)
• M. Zamboni, M.G. Graziano, Introduzione all’analisi dei Sistemi Elettronici, CLUT 2006 (ISBN: 88-7992-222-X)

The final assessment is based on a written test and a optional oral examination. The written test includes numerical exercises related to the most important topics. The time slot for the written examination is 2 hours. The colloquium is 15-20 min long, and deals with all the topics treated during lessons and laboratories. The final score is given by a weighted average of the evaluations for the written and oral examinations plus the evaluation of the laboratory reports (between: -4 and +4).