General Information
A class that focuses on semiconductor devices. Students will learn about common semiconductor devices (diodes, BJT, MOSFET), their theory of operation, and how they are implemented in circuits. It is one of the 3000-level foundation courses.
Prerequisites
ECE 2100
Topics Covered
- Device Physics
- PN Junctions
- Diode Current and Voltage Equations
- BJT and MOSFET Operation
- Small Signal Analysis
- Single-Stage Amplifiers
- Differential Amplifiers
Workload
Moderate to heavy, depending on the semester and the professor teaching the course.
- Problem Sets - Weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the professor. Professor Shealy's problem sets (SP14) were bi-weekly and about half the problems were of his own creation. Otherwise, the problem sets were book problems from Razavi's Introduction to Microelectronics. Professor Afshari's (SP 12/13) problem sets were for the most part taken from the textbook.
- Labs - Bi-weekly, similar to those in ECE 2100.
- Exams - 2 prelims, 1 final in the past. 1 prelim, 1 final in Spring 2015.
Follow on Courses
- ECE 4530 (Analog Integrated Circuit Design) - Focuses on design techniques for actual working analog circuits at the transistor level.
- ECE 4570 (Silicon Device Fundamentals) - Goes much more in detail about device physics.
- ECE 4300 (Lasers and Optoelectronics) - A cool class usually taught by Prof. Pollock.
- ECE 4330 (Microwaves) - Focuses on microwave circuits. S-parameters, smith charts, transmission lines, 2/3/4 port devices.
- ECE 4740 (Digital VLSI) - "Introduction to Debugging Cadence". Digital design using transistors.
- ECE 5970 (RF Microelectronics) - A great course on the analog circuits implemented in radios (mixers, PLLs, power amplifiers, ADCs, etc.) It was offered in SP14, not sure if it will be offered in the future.
Advice
- Small signal analysis is used heavily throughout the second half of the course (and in ECE 4530) so make sure you understand it well.
Past Offerings
|
Semester |
Time |
Professor |
Median Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Spring 2014 |
MWF 10:10 - 11:00 |
James Shealy |
B+ |
|
Spring 2015 |
MWF 10:10 - 11:00 |
Farhan Rana |
? |