72738 - Laboratory of electrical and electronic engineering

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student is able to use circuit simulation tools and apply them to the analysis and design of simple electrical and electronic circuits.

Course contents

• Introduction to microcontroller systems and the Arduino platform. Analog-to-digital converter, PWM output, digital inputs.
• Structure of a program on a microcontroller. Analog inputs, digital inputs, global and local variables, scaling of measured quantities
• Main laboratory instrumentation for prototyping and verification: breadboard, discrete components, multimeter, oscilloscope, function generator, DC power supplies
• Resistor color coding
• Experimental verification of Thévenin equivalence and the principle of superposition of effects
• Voltage divider and measurement of currents by measuring voltages, shunt resistors
• Experimental verification of the principle of maximum power transfer in resistive networks
• Study of RC transient by experimental means
• Use of LTspice circuit simulator. Ideal and real models of components. Modes of analysis
• Analysis of frequency behavior: low-pass, high-pass and band-pass filters
• The diode and its applications in AC/DC converters
• Ideal operational amplifier and main configurations: inverting and non-inverting, summing, differential amplifier, integrator

Readings/Bibliography

The course will make use of accessible online resources whose links will be made available at the end of each lecture.

Teaching methods

The course will be conducted through short theoretical introductions using material accessible online and through the learning-by-doing approach in which students will have to tackle practical problems from the notional base provided during the lectures.

Assessment methods

Verification of learning is done through the evaluation of activities performed by students who will be divided into groups. Students will be asked to make an experimental or simulated setup accompanied by a short report and summary presentation. During the exam, they will be asked to demonstrate the functionality of the realized setup and present its main aspects.

Students who demonstrate theoretical and operational ability in relation to the key concepts illustrated in the teaching will be guaranteed to pass the exam. In particular, students' ability to deal with the practical implementation of a prototype circuit and to develop new ideas from the basic applications addressed in the classroom will be assessed.

Teaching tools

In addition to the LTspice circuit simulator, the course will also make use of the Arduino UNO prototyping platform, which will be provided to each group by the instructor along with the materials needed to build prototype circuits.

Office hours

See the website of Vincenzo Cirimele