University of Southern California
Department of Electrical Engineering - Electrophysics
EE 348L - Electronic Circuits
Course Syllabus, Fall 2003
Abstract
EE 348L is an introductory electronics course that explores the behavior of circuits
featuring diodes, transistors, and other non-linear devices. Much of the course concerns
analysis and design with discrete components. Nevertheless, the ultimate objective is to
understand the internal behavior of otherwise “black box” elements such as op-amps.
The course is almost exclusively analog in emphasis. Modern digital circuits are mostly
CMOS and are best approached through a VLSI class such as EE 477L. More intricate
TTL digital circuits (featuring bipolar transistors) are becoming obsolete.
EE 348L is a gateway course. Students who are interested in modern electronic circuits
will want to consider EE 402, EE 448, EE 479L, EE 536, and EE 533(a,b) as courses
leading to a strong background in mixed-signal integrated circuit design. Such engineers
are in strong demand.
Course Administration
EE 348L has a two-hour “studio” format on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in which
lecture, discussion, computer, and laboratory activities are combined in the same setting.
All classes meet in OHE 230 from 3:00 - 4:50. The co-requisite is EE 338.
The last day to drop the class without a W grade is 12 September, and the last day to drop
the class with a W grade is 14 November. Incomplete grades (IN) are rarely assigned.
The IN grade may be justified only in exceptional cases such as student illness or a
personally tragic event that occurs after the twelfth week on the semester.
The EE 348L grade is based on the following components:
First Midterm
(3 October)
Second Midterm
(7 November)
Homework
In-class exercises
Comprehensive Design Project
Final Exam
20%
20%
15%
5%
5%
35%
Historically, the average grade for EE 348L is B- following the application of a “curve.”
Notwithstanding, the instructor is prepared to accept a higher average if the class does
exceptionally well --- for example, a total class average score of 99/100 is clearly an A.
Apart from numerical grades for the comprehensive design project and the final exam,
all other grades will be posted by 28 November. It is the student’s responsibility to verify
(and possibly contest) these grades before the final exam. Once assigned, a letter grade
will not be changed except for grossly erroneous circumstances.
Try not to miss class! Students who are regularly absent invariably receive poor grades.
The instructor has no reservations about compiling homework assignments and exams
that are predicated, in part, on material discussed in class but not addressed in assigned
readings.
Make-up exams are not available. If you are absent during an examination, you will
receive a grade of zero unless you have a valid reason for your absence, and you have
discussed it with the instructor prior to the exam. In the event of an excuse from a
midterm, a weighted final exam score will replace the missing score.
If you cheat
during an exam, you will receive a grade of F in the course and you will be reported to
the Office of Student Conduct for further disciplinary action.
The comprehensive design project will be assigned on 24 November, and a related report
will be due on the last class of the semester (5 December). If you choose not to complete
the project, you will receive a zero grade for it.
Students are encouraged to work in teams of two on the final design project, and team
members will receive the same numerical grade. Collaboration on in-class exercises is
especially encouraged.
Homework is crucial in EE 348L, since it provides much needed practice in analytical
techniques, it is a good measure of whether you understand fundamental concepts, and it
is a prerequisite for good performance on course exams. If your weighted course average
places you on the borderline between two letter grades, a poor homework average will
significantly increase the probability of the lower grade.
You are encouraged to use computer analysis tools such as PSpice to check homework.
Be sure not to use the computer as a “crutch.” You will not have access during exams.
Textbook
None. Class notes are available at the course website.
Other handouts will be posted, as needed.
Instructor Information:
Edward Maby PHE 626 0-4706 maby@usc.edu
Office hours: WF 1:00 – 1:50
Clinton Colby
Daniel Parks
Tyler Rather
ccolby@usc.edu
dparks@usc.edu
rather@usc.edu
The EE 348L web site is: http://www-classes.usc.edu/engr/ee-ep/348.
Tentative EE 348L Class Schedule - Fall 2003
Week 1
M
25 August
ideal op-amp review, op-amp integrator
W
27 August
non-ideal op-amp models
F
29 August
semiconductor basics
Week 2
M
1 September
Labor Day
W
3 September
zero-order diode circuit analysis, breakpoint method
F
5 September
higher-order diode models, PSpice analysis
Week 3
M
8 September
rectification and filtering
W
10 September
voltage regulation, voltage references
F
12 September
clipping and clamping circuits
Week 4
M
15 September
MOSFET characteristics
W
17 September
MOSFET applications: analog switch
F
19 September
BJT characteristics
Week 5
M
22 September
BJT applications: power amplifiers
W
24 September
JFETs and MESFETs
F
26 September
buck dc-dc converters
Week 6
M
29 September
boost dc-dc converters
W
1 October
review, circuit-board design
F
3 October
Midterm #1
M
6 October
small-signal amplifier overview
W
8 October
elementary FET and BJT biasing techniques
F
10 October
Week 7
small-signal transistor models
Week 8
M
13 October
common-collector (drain) and common base (gate) amplifiers
W
15 October
common emitter (source) amplifiers
F
17 October
multistage amplifier analysis (some design)
Week 9
M
20 October
low-frequency analysis and design
W
22 October
high-frequency transistor models
F
24 October
high-frequency analysis and design
Week 10
M
27 October
cascode amplifier
W
29 October
differential amplifier 1
F
31 October
differential amplifier 2
Week 11
M
3 November
IC biasing techniques
W
5 November
review, IC fabrication issues
F
7 November
Midterm #2
Week 12
M
10 November
CMOS op-amps
W
12 November
LM 741 (dc analysis)
F
14 November
LM 741 (ac analysis)
Week 13
M
17 November
feedback 1
W
19 November
feedback 2
F
21 November
compensation 1
Week 14
M
24 November
compensation 2
W
26 November
no class
F
28 November
(Thanksgiving)
Week 15
M
1 December
Project
W
3 December
Project
F
5 December
Project