31080 - Laboratory Of Physics 3

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has a basic knowledge of : the physics of the main electronic devices based on semiconductors and their applications,  the implementation of circuits with discrete and integrated components in the framework of  analogue and digital electronics, the related methods of measurement and analysis of experimental data.  In particular the student will be able to : implement electronic circuits and measure their functional characteristics,  estimate the errors, including the systematic ones, on the laboratory measurements, analyze with a computer the experimental data taken in the Physics laboratory by writing C++ programs and by using statistical and graphical tools and compare the results with theory.

Course contents

Basic principles of semiconductordevice physics. The junction diode : characteristics and applications. The bipolar transistor (BJT): characteristics in the three configurations (CB, CE, CC) and applications. The field-effect transistors (JFET, MOSFET, MESFET) : characteristics and applications. The basics of Boolean algebra. Logical functions and digital circuits. Fundamental logic families (TTL, ECL, MOS, CMOS). Basic combinational digital circuits : adders, subtractors, ALU, multipliers, comparators, parity generators and checkers, decoders, demultiplexers, multiplexers, encoders, ROM-PROM, EPROM-EEPROM, PAL, PLA. Basic sequential digital circuits : flip-flops (S-R, J-K, D, T), shift registers, counters. Classification of the integrated circuits : from the standard products to the custom logic. Classification of the PLDs : from the sPLD to the CPLD (FPGA).

Readings/Bibliography

 

Teaching methods

Class lectures (Module 1) and exercises (Module 2). Practical experience in the electronics laboratory (Modules 1 and 2) of  (analog and digital) electronic circuits assembly with measurement of their characteristics, using also as an example a data acquisition system based on NI ELVIS and LabVIEW. Analysis of experimental data with a computer. Laboratory test of basic ideas and methods learned during the class lectures and exercises.

Assessment methods

After each laboratory experiment students must present a detailed written report on the aim of the experiment, the used instrumentation, the scheme of the electronic circuits, the measurement procedures and all the measurement results (with the associated errors, including the systematic ones). A graphic presentation of results is also required for some experiment. The lab report is evaluated on a three-level scale. The final exam is based on a 2-hour written paper (no books, notes or electronic supports are allowed) and an oral exam. The written paper is about solving exercises aiming to assess the skill in solving problems as learned especially during the class exercises. Admission to the oral exam is allowed for a minimum mark of 16-18 on the written paper. The time validity of the written paper is limited to each exam session ("appello"). The oral examination is about  the course's contents and laboratory experience. Th final mark takes into account the marks obtained both in the written paper and the oral examination (and on the lab-reports evaluation).

Teaching tools

Transparency and PC projectors. Laboratory with 12 working tables for electronic circuits assembly and measurement equipment. Laboratory for experimental data analysis with PCs.

Office hours

See the website of Maurizio Basile

See the website of Gilda Scioli