Overview

In this Electronics sequence, students learn how diodes and transistors work, analyze and design single- and multi-transistor amplifiers and study basic phase-locked loops.

ECE 321 introduces students to the physical properties and characteristics of the three basic solid-state electronic devices: diodes, field effect transistors and bipolar junction transistors. After a brief overview of semiconductor physics, the emphasis is on the physical operation of the devices, their operating characteristics and their analysis using equivalent circuit models. We also explore applications of the devices in circuits such as amplifiers, switches, regulators and rectifiers.

In ECE 322, students build on the knowledge of electronic devices gained in ECE 321 to study transistor amplifiers. We use small-signal models to analyze and design single transistor, differential and multistage analog amplifiers, comparing the gain, impedance characteristics and frequency response of different amplifier configurations. We use this knowledge in the lab to design, simulate, build and test a basic op amp at the transistor level.

ECE 323 builds on the knowledge of electronic devices gained in ECE 321 and 322 to study interconnected circuits at the device level and design and build a working high frequency Phase Locked Loop. We use small-signal linear and non-linear models to analyze and design diode ring analog multipliers, Hartley oscillators and voltage-controlled oscillators. We study phase locked loop basics and feedback stability. We design and build a high frequency single transistor amplifier and low pass filter.

More information can be found in the individual Course Descriptions here:

https://www.pdx.edu/electrical-computer-engineering/ece-321-electronics-i

https://www.pdx.edu/electrical-computer-engineering/ece-322-electronics-ii

https://www.pdx.edu/electrical-computer-engineering/ece-323-electronics-iii

Course Structure:

• Lectures, 3 hours per week

• Homework, weekly, may be graded or ungraded

• Labs, one 3-hour lab per week, run by TA, graded lab reports

• Exams, midterm and final (ECE 323 has one exam)

• Grading criteria may vary with instructor

Required TA Skills

You need a solid background in the material covered in each course:

• For ECE 321, basic solid-state physics, diode operation and circuits, MOSFET and BJT operation and bias circuits, NMOS and CMOS logic gates.

• For ECE 322, MOSFET and BJT operation and bias circuits, small-signal models, amplifier analysis and design.

• For ECE 323, single-transistor amplifier analysis and design, oscillators, phase-locked loop basics, feedback and stability.

• Lab TAs need to be familiar with building circuits on breadboards and with the bench equipment in the circuits lab: DC power supply, multimeter, function generator and oscilloscope. You need to be able to help students troubleshoot their circuits and equipment problems.

• For ECE 323, lab TAs need to be familiar with soldering and building circuits on PCBs and with using the bench equipment in the circuits lab for higher-frequency measurements. You need to be able to help students troubleshoot their circuits and equipment problems through a more complex lab project.

• You need to be familiar with simulating circuits in LTSpice.

• You need to be comfortable talking to and working with a diverse group of students on both an individual and group basis.

TA Responsibilities

The TA position is a 0.30 FTE assignment. The job will either be two lab sections or one lab section + lecture assistant.

Lab TAs are required to:

1. Work through lab experiments before the lab.

2. Attend the lab section(s) each week. Be present and help students the entire lab period.

3. Give an introduction to the lab each week, clarifying instructions and highlighting any important information students need to know.

4. Help students during each lab session, answering questions and checking how each group is doing. There may be an undergraduate student assistant to help with large lab sections.

5. Grade their submitted lab reports in a timely manner and upload student scores and feedback to D2L.

6. Be available for an office hour outside of lab time; be responsive to student email questions.

7. Be in contact with the instructor and keep them informed of any problems in the lab.

Lecture TAs are required to:

1. Grade homework sets in a timely manner and upload student scores and feedback to D2L.

2. Hold office hours for 2 hours per week; be responsive to student email questions.

3. There may be other responsibilities depending on the instructor such as hold exam review sessions, proctor or grade exams, or other assistance to instructor if requested.

4. Be in contact with the instructor and keep them informed of any problems they observe in homework or office hours.