1. Signals and signal elaboration
Analog signals: time and frequency domain, Fourier analysis, discrete and continuous spectra.
Analog signal elaboration: linear and non-linear functions, amplifiers, filters.
Digital signals: fundamental characteristics and binary coding. Analog-to-digital conversion (A/D): sampling, aliasing, quantization, resolution and number of bits.
Digital signal elaboration: algorithms, memory storage.
2. Instrumentation
Measuring techniques for static and dynamic electrical quantities. General characteristics of electronic measurement instruments. Main metrological characteristics: sensitivity, resolution, measurement accuracy and uncertainty, influencing quantities.
General characteristics of sensors and transducers.
Laboratory instrumentation: multimeter, analog oscilloscope, digital oscilloscope, signal generator.
3. Devices
Basic concepts on semiconductors. PN-junction diodes. Bipolar transistors (BJT) and field-effect transistors (FET).
4. Analog circuit and systems
Structure and characteristics of operational amplifiers (OA). Feedback amplifiers. Linear applications of OAs: non-inverting, inverting, summing, differential amplifiers, configurations with impedances, filters and oscillators. Brief notes on non-linear applications of OAs. Non-idealities of OAs. Comparators, example of on/off regulation circuit. Instrumentation amplifiers.
Examples of measurement systems comprising sensors, signal conditioning, elaboration and output blocks.
5. Integrated circuit technology
Overview on the fabrication technology of integrated circuits (IC): basic technological processes, manufacturing processes for MOS transistors and for passive components. Interconnections. The role of software in IC design.
6. Digital blocks and logic gates
Binary coding and logic operators. Logic functions and logic gates. Ideal logic inverter. Noise margins. Static and dynamic power dissipation. Rise, fall and propagation times. Logic families. CMOS inverter and dynamic power dissipation.
7. Combinational circuits
Combinatorial logic. Adder, subtractor, ALU. Parity check generator and detector. Multiplexer and demultiplexer. Gates with 3-state output. Coders and decoders.
ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM memories.
8. Sequential circuits
Sequential logic. Set-Reset bistable cell and applications. Timing and clock. Flip flop types: SR, JK, D, T. Flip flop applications. Dividers. Shift registers (SIPO, PISO). Synchronous and asynchronous counters.
RAM memories.
Brief notes on programmable logic devices, microcontrollers, microprocessors.
9. Analog-to-digital converters (ADC) and digital-to-analog converters (DAC)
Counting ADC. Tracking ADC. Successive approximation ADC. Flash ADC flash. Single- and double-ramp ADC.
Binary weight DAC. R/2R DAC. Pulse width modulation DAC.