Electronic and Computer Systems

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Using feedback in circuit design, and explain its importance.
• Processing high-level code into assembly and machine code.
• Applying key circuit analysis theory to allow the abstraction of problems.
• Use simulation to investigate a range of problems related to electronic circuits.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The properties of filters and power supplies.
• Circuit analysis for transistor and op-amp based circuits, including oscillators.
• The component parts of computer systems.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Implementing an operating system on an embedded device.
• Applying links between mathematical concepts and a range of engineering problems.
• Analysing simple circuits containing active elements such as bipolar transistors and op-amps.

Transistor Modelling and Circuits

• Introduction to transistor-level modelling: Ebers Moll Model, Hybrid pi model, and SPICE parameters
• Analysis of common amplifier configurations: common emitter, common base, common collector, and differential pair
• Frequency response analysis: Bode Diagrams, bandwidth, and high/low-frequency effects (including Miller effect)
• Overview of oscillators: Ring, relaxation, Colpitts, Hartley, and crystal oscillators
• Key system-level considerations: limitations of op-amps (slew rate, noise, etc.), applications of operational amplifiers and comparators

Computer Architecture

• Overview of processor architectures, instruction sets, and datapath
• Pipelining techniques, hazards, forwarding, and performance optimization
• Memory hierarchy: cache, virtual memory, file systems, and I/O interfacing
• System-level design: integrating processors with peripherals, handling interrupts, and memory-mapped I/O

Computer Systems and Software

• Assembly language, machine code, and their relationship with high-level languages (C, Python, etc.)
• Development toolchains: compiling, debugging, and optimization
• Operating systems fundamentals: memory management, processes, real-time systems, and OS vs. freestanding C
• Performance analysis: benchmarking, power consumption, energy efficiency, and power management modes

System Aspects and Applications

• System-level considerations: decoupling, ground loops, and basics of EMC and shielding
• Analog filter design and their role in signal processing systems
• Linear and switching regulators: properties, design considerations, and applications

The content of this module is delivered through lectures, module website, directed reading and tutorials.

Students work on their understanding through a combination of independent study, preparation for timetabled activities, tutorials, and problem classes, along with formative assessments in the form of problem sheets.

Students work on their practical skills in laboratories.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.