EECE 2408: Introduction to Circuits and Signals
Course Outline/Charter

Course description:

A combined lecture/laboratory course in which students learn elements of circuit theory, signal processing, and MATLAB programming, and apply their knowledge to build an EKG system that acquires and processes signals from the heart.  In the circuits area, the course introduces the basic device and signal models and the basic circuit laws used in the study of linear circuits.  The course proceeds to the analysis of resistive and complex impedance networks including the Thevenin and Norton theorems.  Op-amp circuits are studied using the ideal operational amplifier model with a particular emphasis on differential amplifiers and active filter circuits.  In the signal processing area, the course introduces the basic concepts of linearity and time-invariance for both continuous and discrete-time systems.  Discrete-time linear filter design and application is demonstrated on the acquired signals in the MATLAB environment.

Credit hours: 4 SH

Prerequisites: GE 1111 or Equivalent

Textbooks: 
Possibly custom text from Wiley or NTS or …  Maybe E-Book.  Looking at options.
Ulaby and Maharbiz, NTS Press
CHOOSE BOOKS THAT STUDENTS CAN USE IN SUBSEQUENT CIRCUITS AND SIGNALS COURSES TO REDUCE COSTS FOR THEM.

Topics Covered: 

  1. R, L, C, sources, Kirchoff’s Laws
  2. Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits
  3. Complex impedance
  4. System properties including linearity, time invariance, and causality
  5. Linear time-invariant filters, convolution and impulse response concepts
  6. Fourier Transform, frequency domain analysis of signals and systems
  7. Transfer function, magnitude/phase response, low/band/high-pass filters, filter design
  8. Sampling and interpolation to transition between continuous and discrete time
  9. Quantization effects in analog-to-digital conversion
  10. Basic neuron physiology, biopotentials, nervous system organization, cardiac cycle. 
  11. Analysis of ECG signals. Normal and abnormal frequency content of ECG signals.
  12. Design, build, characterize and test a differential amplifier, in the particular context of ECG
  13. Design signal processing algorithms to identify ECG signal features

 

 

Topics to be covered in 38 classes:

Circuits Component (18 classes)

Signals & Systems Component (18 classes)

I.  Circuit Fundamentals (3)

I. LTI Systems (3)

A. Circuit Variables (v, i, p, w)

A. System Properties

B. Circuit Elements (R, L, C)

B. Convolution and impulse response

C. Sources (circles and diamonds)

II. Fourier Transform (5)

D. Topology (loop, node, branch)

A. CT and DT Fourier Transform

II  Kirchhoffs Laws (5)

B. Frequency Domain Analysis of Circuits

A. KVL, KCL

III. Transfer Functions and Filters (5)

B. Series/Parallel Equivalents

A. Magnitude & Phase Response

C. Source Transformation

B. Ideal Filters (Low/Band/High-pass)

D. Thevenin and Norton Equivalents

C. Filter Design

III. Operational Amplifiers (4)

IV. Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) (4)

A. Definition and Ideal

A. Sampling and interpolation

B. Basic Stages

B. Quantization effects in ADC

IV. AC Analysis (6)

V. Matched filters for ECG beat detection (1)

A. Exponential Representation of Sinusoids

Biological Component (2 classes)

B. Impedance and Admittance

I.  Sources of biopotentials (1)

C. Complex Number Arithmetic

A. Basic neuron physiology

D. Phasor Analysis

B. Nervous system organization

E. Average Power

C. The cardiac cycle

 

II. Analysis of ECG signals. (1)

 

Course Outcomes:

Students should

  1. Be able to find the Thevenin or Norton equivalents of resistive circuits with sources.
  2. Be able to analyze and build op-amp amplifier circuits
  3. Be able to determine the transfer function of simple and active filter circuits.
  4. Be able to determine system properties like linearity and time invariance.
  5. Be able to design and analyze linear filters
  6. Be able to design and construct a system to acquire and process EKG signals
  7. Be able to apply knowledge of MATLAB to solving circuit problems,
  8. Be able to analyze circuits using PSPICE.

Mapping of course outcomes to program outcomes, assessment mechanisms and performance criteria:

 

Course outcomes

Program outcomes

Assessment mechanism

Performance criteria

1

P1

Quiz

 

2

P2, P3, P4, P23, P24

 Lab Notebook

 

3

P6, P7

 Quiz

 

4

P1, P4, P8, P17

 

 

5

P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P8, P9, P20

 

 

6

P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P18, P20

 

 

7

P2, P4, P20

 

 

8

P2, P4, P20

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revision history

Prepared by     Nicol McGruer
Deniz Erdogmus
Steve McKnight
April 15, 2012

 

EE/CE Program Outcomes

 

Students will demonstrate the ability to:

 

 

P1

Apply knowledge of electrical and computer engineering to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

P19

Extract information from a variety of printed and electronic sources

P2

Use modern laboratory and computing tools

P20

Connect between theory and application

P3

Design and conduct experiments and analyze data

 

Connect between classroom learning and work/co-op

P4

Design engineering systems/components/processes

P21

Write well-reasoned, grammatically and stylistically correct papers and reports

P5

(CE) Design and implement computer programs

P22

Deliver effective oral presentations

P6

Understand and apply differential calculus

P23

Create written or oral reports analyzing information, applying quantitative methodologies, logically comparing alternatives, and/or presenting analysis and design of complex systems

P7

Understand and apply integral calculus

P24

Work in multidisciplinary teams

P8

Understand and apply complex algebra/analysis

P25

(CE) Document engineering work appropriately

P9

Understand and apply differential/difference equations

P26

Students will demonstrate their awareness and understanding of:

P10

Understand and apply linear algebra

P27

The engineering profession and its ethical codes

P11

Understand and apply multivariate calculus

P28

The need and utility of lifelong learning

P12

Understand and apply probability/stochastic processes

P29

Career management choices

P13

Apply the knowledge of solid-state physics

P30

(CE) Copyright and privacy standards specific to computer hardware and software

P14

Apply the knowledge of electricity and magnetism

P31

The societal/cultural context of engineering practice

P15

Apply knowledge of flow-charting/program design

P32

Historical development and contemporary issues in electrical engineering

P16

Apply knowledge of language syntax/debugging

P33

The role of aesthetics and elegance in engineering solutions and design

P17

Apply knowledge of output analysis

P34

The role of esthetic enhancement to written/oral communications

P18

Connect knowledge across electrical and computer engineering subfields