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Circuit Theory and Electronics

Code: 102709
Credits: 9
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Electronic Engineering for Telecommunications FB 1
Telecommunication Systems Engineering FB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Joan Garcia Garcia
Email :
joan.garcia@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Arantxa Uranga del Monte

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites

 

Objectives

The subject aims to familiarize students with the theory, techniques and basic devices used in the analysis of electronic circuits for telecommunications.

 

Learning outcomes

Electronic Engineering for Telecommunications
  • KU103 (Define the basic concepts of electrical circuit theory and electronic circuits.) Define the basic concepts of electrical circuit theory and electronic circuits.
  • KU104 (Identify the physical principles of semiconductors and logic families, electronic and photonic devices, materials technology and how they are applied to solve engineering problems.) Identify the physical principles of semiconductors and logic families, electronic and photonic devices, materials technology and how they are applied to solve engineering problems.
  • KU105 (List the different energy sources and the basics of power electronics.) List the different energy sources and the basics of power electronics.
  • SU112 (Theoretically analyse continuous, transient and steady-state first- and second-order electrical circuits with the help of computer-aided simulation.) Theoretically analyse continuous, transient and steady-state first- and second-order electrical circuits with the help of computer-aided simulation.
Telecommunication Systems Engineering
  • KU103 (Define the basic concepts of electrical circuit theory and electronic circuits.) Define the basic concepts of electrical circuit theory and electronic circuits.
  • KU104 (Identify the physical principles of semiconductors and logic families, electronic and photonic devices, materials technology and how they are applied to solve engineering problems.) Identify the physical principles of semiconductors and logic families, electronic and photonic devices, materials technology and how they are applied to solve engineering problems.
  • KU105 (List the different energy sources and the basics of power electronics.) List the different energy sources and the basics of power electronics.
  • SU112 (Theoretically analyse continuous, transient and steady-state first- and second-order electrical circuits with the help of computer-aided simulation.) Theoretically analyse continuous, transient and steady-state first- and second-order electrical circuits with the help of computer-aided simulation.

Contents

Topic 1. Elements, Variables, and Equations of Electrical Circuits

1.1. Electrical or Electronic Circuit: Introduction

1.2. Electrical Variables of a Circuit: Fundamental and Derived Variables

1.3. Circuit Elements and Sign Criteria

1.4. Resistors and Voltage and Current Sources

1.5. Power Dissipated and Supplied by an Element

1.6. Kirchhoff's Laws: KCL and KVL

1.7. Dependent Sources. Kirchhoff's Laws with Dependent Sources

1.8. Equivalent Circuits: Series and Parallel Associations, Source Transformations, Voltage and Current Dividers

Topic 2. Basic Laws and Methods for Solving Resistive Circuits

2.1 Generating Variables and the Knot Method

2.2 Some Theorems of Circuit Theory

2.2.1 Superposition

2.2.2 Thevenin's and Norton's Theorems

Topic 3. Circuits in Transient Time Regime: First-Order Dynamic Circuits

3.1 Capacitors and Inductors: Definition, Properties

3.2 Capacitors and Inductors in Series and Parallel

3.3 Equation of a First-Order Dynamic Circuit

3.4 Analytical Solutions for

3.4.1 Constant Excitation

3.4.2 Constant Piecewise Excitation

Topic 4. Sinusoidal Steady-State Mode

4.1 Introduction and Sinusoidal Steady-State Circuits

4.2 Phasors

4.3 Phasor Formulation of Circuit Equations

4.3 Impedance and Admittance

4.4 Sinusoidal Steady-State Power and Definition of Power Factor

Topic 5. Introduction to Semiconductor and Device Physics

5.1 PN Junction Diode

5.2 Simple DC Models of PN Diodes and Polarization. Load Line

5.3 Diode CircuitsTopic 6. Operational Amplifier

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Linear and Nonlinear Modes of Operation

6.3 Linear Applications:

6.3.1 Non-inverting Amplifier

6.3.2 Voltage Follower (Buffer)

6.3.3 Inverting Amplifier

6.3.4 Adder

6.3.5 Integrator

6.3.6 Differentiator

6.4 Nonlinear Applications: Comparators

Topic 7. Two-Gate Circuits. Matrix Representation of Circuits


Lab Practices

Practice 1: PSPICE 1

Practice 2: PSPICE 2

Practice 3: Electronic Laboratory Instruments

Practice 4: Basic Passive Components

Practice 5: Basic Circuits and Passive Components: Transient and Steady-State Behavior

Practice 6: Bode Diagram of RC Circuits

Practice 7: Basic Active Components: The Diode. Basic Circuits

Practice 8: The Operational Amplifier. Basic Circuits

Practice 9: Individual Practice Exam

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Study and lab session Preparation Hours 94 3.76 KU103, KU104, KU105, SU112
problem classes 24 0.96 KU103, KU104, KU105, SU112
theori sesions 48 1.92 KU103, KU104, KU105, SU112
Lab Sessions 28 1.12 KU103, KU104, KU105, SU112

The theoretical concepts necessary for the rest of the course activities will be presented in the lecture sessions. Problem-solving classes are designed to put into practice the theoretical concepts presented in the lecture sessions. They will be conducted in small groups to encourage interaction between faculty and students.During the practical sessions, students come into contact with electronic devices and instruments by implementing electronic assemblies.Note: 15 minutes of a class will be reserved within the schedule established by the center or program for students to complete the surveys evaluating faculty performance and the evaluation of the subject or module.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Practice questionnaires completed during the practice session 70% of the grade for each practical session 4 0.16 KU103, KU104, KU105, SU112
Lab exam 50% of the lab grade 2 0.08 KU104, KU105, SU112
two partial exams Each partial exam corresponds to 35% of the final grade for the subject. 4 0.16 KU103, KU104, KU105, SU112
Previous lab session reports 30% of the grade for each practical session 18 0.72 KU103, KU104, KU105, SU112
Synthesis exam (recovery process) Up to 100% of the theory grade (70% of the subject grade) 3 0.12 KU103, KU104, KU105, SU112

This course does not allow single evaluation.

The evaluation of the subject will be carried out through three clearly differentiated types of activities: practicals, two midterm exams, and a synthesis exam.

Practicals.

The practical part consists of eight mandatory practicals and a final exam. The laboratory practicals will be evaluated with a preliminary report and a practical report. The preliminary report is worth 30% of the grade for each practical, and the practical report is worth 70%.

All practicals must be completed.

Up to 2 practicals may be done outside their scheduled time, provided that the absence from the practical is justified. In this case, the grade for these two practicals will be replaced by the grade resulting from the evaluation of specific tasks and/or activities proposed by the teaching staff.

Unjustified absence from any of the scheduled practicals will result in failing the practicals (and consequently the subject).

At the end of the 5 practicals, a practical exam will be held, which will be graded with a score representing 50% of the final practical grade, if the score obtained is higher than 5. Otherwise, the practical grade will be the score obtained in the practical exam.

Midterm Exams.

Two midterm exams will be held, each covering approximately half of the subject's syllabus (part A and B, respectively).

These exams will last 2 hours. They will result in the midterm grades NPA and NPB, ranging from 0 to 10 points.

Final Synthesis Exam.

It will be held at the end of the semester.

To participate in the synthesis test (make-up exam), it is necessary to have passed the practicals and have an average score higher than 2 out of 10 in the two midterm exams.

It will consist of two parts corresponding to the material included in parts A and B.

The part ofthe exam that is failed (NPA and/or NPB <5) must be taken. Students who have passed both parts do notneed to take the exam unless they want to improve their grade. In these cases, students waive their previous grades and will use the grade obtained in the exam to determine the final grade for the subject.

To pass the synthesis exam, an overall average score of 5 is required.

After grading this final exam, all students will have a score between 0 and 10 in parts A and B, either obtained in the midterms, in this exam, or a combination of the two tests.

Mobile Phones and Electronic Devices.

During the written tests, mobile phones and electronic devices must be turned off and placed on the table. Violation of this rule will result in failing the test.

Final Grade for the Subject.

The final grade for the subject is calculated as the weighted average of the midterm or final exam grades and practicals, where practicals count for 30% and the exam part for 70%. To average with the practical grade, the synthesis exam grade must be 5 or higher.

Without prejudice to other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate, and in accordance with current academic regulations, irregularities committed by a student that may lead to a variation in the grade will be graded with a zero (0). For example, plagiarizing, copying, allowing copying, etc., an evaluation activity will result in failing that evaluation activity with a zero (0). Evaluation activities graded in this way and by this procedure will not be recoverable. If it is necessary to pass any of these evaluation activities to pass the subject, the subject will be directly failed, without the opportunity to recover it in the same course.

Special Grades

Only if no practical reports or home assignments are submitted, the grade will be Not Evaluable. Otherwise, the final grade will be calculated based on the weights of each evaluation activity. If the practicals are failed, the final grade will be calculated based on the weighting of each activity and, ifit exceeds 5, it will be recorded as a 4.

For each subject in the same study plan, Honors can be awarded globally, resulting from calculating five percent or a fraction of the students enrolled in all teaching groups of the subject. It will only be awarded to students who have obtained a final grade of 9.00 or higher, and always at the discretion of the teaching staff (based on the student's excellence).

Revisions: The regular review of the assessment activities will begin at least twenty-four hours after the grades have been published, or on the same day if this has been publicly announced in advance.

Use of AI In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted at any stage. Any work containing AI-generated content will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total penalty in the activity's grade, or more serious sanctions in severe cases.

Irregularities

At the discretion of the professors, in cases considered appropriate, any written test must be subsequently validated with an oral test. In the event of discrepancies in the results of the two tests, the oral test will prevail.

Without prejudice to other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate, and in accordance with current academic regulations, irregularities committed by the student that may lead to a variation in the grade of an assessment act will be graded with a zero. Therefore, copying or allowing copying of a practice or any other assessment activity will imply failing it with a zero, and if it is necessary to pass it to pass, the entire subject will be suspended. Assessment activities graded in this way and by this procedure will not be recoverable, and therefore the subject will be directly suspended without the opportunity to recover it in the same academic year.

Bibliography

Main Books

  • R. Boylestad y L. Nashelsky. \"Introducción al análisis de Circuitos\", Prentice Hall
  • R. Boylestad y L. Nashelsky. \"Teoría de Circuitos y dispositivos electrónicos\", Prentice Hall.

 

Other books:

  • A.Bruce Carlson. Teoría de circuitos. Thomson-Paraninfo. 2002. (IBSB: 84-9732-066-2)
  • J. David Irwin. Análisis básico de circuitos en Ingeniería. Prentice Hall Hispanoamericana.1997. (ISBN:968-880-816)
  • Allan R. Hambley, \"Electrónica\", Segunda Edición, Prentice Hall, 2001
  • C. J. Savant Jr., Martin S. Roden, Gordon L. Carpenter, \"Diseño Electrónico, Circuitos y sistemas\", Tercera Edición, Prentice Hall, 2000.
  • Norbert R. Malik, \"Circuitos Electrónicos, Análisis, simulación y diseño\", Prentice may, 2000.

Software

Software

Pspice 9.1 student edition

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 31 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 33 Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 51 Catalan first semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 311 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 311 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 312 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 312 English first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 313 Catalan first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 314 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 315 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 316 Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 317 Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 318 Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 319 Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 320 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 321 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 331 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 332 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 511 Catalan first semester afternoon