94272 - Electronic Systems

Learning outcomes

The course aims at giving students those tools needed to know and understand the fundamental elements by which electronic systems operate in the framework of automotive systems. The goal is not to educate electronic designers, rather to offer a broad and basic competence on the working of electronic systems, that is developing the ability to work as a part of interdisciplinary teams also including electronic designers and experts in information technologies.

Course contents

Introduction: sensing, signal conditioning, information processing, actuation. Structure of electronic systems interfaced with mechanical parts. Fundamentals of circuit theory.

The ingredients: basics of electronic devices. Use of transistors as switches and as continuous regulators. Basic elements of the technologies used to develop sensors and trans
ducers.

Digital systems: logic gates; digital signals; combinational and sequential networks; logic families; representation of numbers; fundamental function blocks; ALUs and microcont
rollers; PLAs and FPGAs.

Analog systems: the operational amplifier, basic filters, techniques for signal conditioning.

Data acquisition and information representation: D/A and A/D conversion.

Time encoding: V/F and F/V conversion; pulse-width and pulse-density modulation.

Hints on actuation and power conversion: more on continuous regulation and switched-mode regulation.

Slight modifications to the course content are possible in relation to students' prior knowledge, unexpected situations, and feedback from students.

Readings/Bibliography

- A. Smaili and F. Mrad, “Applied Mechatronics,” Oxford University Press, 2008.
- R. Spence, “Introductory Circuits,” Wiley, 2008.
- N. Storey, “Electronics: A Systems Approach,” Pearson, 6th ed., 2017.
- W. Ribbens, “Understanding Automotive Electronics: An Engineering Perspective,” Elsevier, 8th ed., 2017.
- U. Kiencke and L. Nielsen, “Automotive Control Systems: For Engine, Driveline, and Vehicle,” Springer, 2nd ed., 2010.

The last two books contain, in addition to the topics covered in the course, further material for in-depth study.

Teaching methods

The course includes theoretical lectures delivered both at the blackboard and with the support of slides. Some lectures will be dedicated to exercises, examples, and case studies, presented either at the blackboard or through demonstrations that may involve the use of numerical computing tools (e.g., Matlab), graphical environments for programming and simulating multidomain dynamic systems (e.g., Simulink), or circuit simulators (e.g., SPICE, Digital Logic Designer). The lecture slides will be made available to students, as will any code associated with the examples, demonstrations, and case studies.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning consists of a written test followed by an oral assessment.
Typically, the oral assessment takes place a few days after the written test, but within the same examination sitting.

Written test: includes exercises designed to assess both the understanding of the course content—with particular focus on its practical aspects—and the practical skills in using analysis and design tools. It is usually divided into two sections: one focused on digital systems and the other on analog circuits for signal conditioning.

Oral assessment: complements the written test by exploring the theoretical aspects of the course in greater depth.

The oral assessment may be taken only after passing the written test. Both assessments must be completed during the same examination sitting.

Teaching tools

The course makes use of the following tools:

- Video projector and slides
- Blackboard
- Demonstrations by the instructor using numerical computing environments and system- and circuit-level simulation tools

All materials used are made available to students through the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Moodle platform. On request, it is also delivered directly to those students that for administrative reasons may not have the credentials for accessing that site.

Links to further information

https://unimore.coursecatalogue.cineca.it/corsi/2026/10987/insegnamenti/2026/29234/2026/5?annoOrdinamento=2026&coorte=2026

Office hours

See the website of Sergio Callegari