Computer Aided Design of Electronic Systems
Course Description
Study Programmes
University undergraduate
General Competencies
Students learn about the process of computer aided design of electronic equipment and systems. The course covers theoretical and practical aspects of the overall process, from the conceptual design, schematic entry, circuit analysis and simulation, board level design, and manufacturing documentation preparation. Students learn about the principles and good practice in preparation of technical documentation for each design and manufacturing step.
Learning Outcomes
- describe process of electronic device development and its life cycle.
- describe printed circuit board fabrication and surface mount technologies.
- produce technical documentation of an electronic device.
- analyze electronic device schematic.
- design printed circuit board.
- analyze schematic using SPICE simulation.
- define specific aspects of analog circuit design and high speed digital design.
- use Altium Designer for schematic entry, princted circuit board design, and SPICE simulation.
Forms of Teaching
Lectures are focused on theoretical and practical aspects of key course topics (two hours per week).
ExamsContinuous evaluation encompasses two written exams (midterm and final exam). Students who do not satisfy at continuous evaluation must undertake both the written and oral exam. Students are questioned at the laboratory exercises and they also obtain the points for a practical project.
Laboratory WorkStudents are obliged to take laboratory exercises (15 hours). During the laboratory exercises, students learn printed circuit board design by using Altium Designer software package.
ConsultationsConsultations for students are held once per week.
SeminarsStudents make complete technical documentation of electronic device based on a project specification, different for each student. The documentation encompasses block diagrams, electrical schematics, printed circuit board production masks, bills of material, technical characteristics and other necessary parts of the overall technical documentation.
Internship visitsStudents visit companies that produce electronic devices where they can see how to apply their knowledge and skills in practice.
Grading Method
Continuous Assessment | Exam | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Threshold | Percent of Grade | Threshold | Percent of Grade | ||
Laboratory Exercises | 50 % | 15 % | 50 % | 15 % | ||
Seminar/Project | 43 % | 35 % | 43 % | 35 % | ||
Mid Term Exam: Written | 50 % | 20 % | 0 % | |||
Final Exam: Written | 50 % | 30 % | ||||
Exam: Written | 50 % | 20 % | ||||
Exam: Oral | 30 % |
Comment:
Work on project is divided into three parts: the first part must be submitted after the 7th week (up to 5 points), the second part after the 13th week (up to 5 points), and a complete technical documentation must be finished in the last week of the semester (up to 25 points).
Week by Week Schedule
- Overview of development process and life cycle of electronic device.
- Printed circuit board fabrication and surface mount technology.
- Technical documentation. Structure of an electronic device documentation. Guidelines for technical documentation preparation.
- Presentation of Altium Designer board level design tool. Demonstration of module for schematic entry and schematic library management.
- Schematic analysis and entry. Guidelines for schematic design. Electrical rule checking.
- Printed circuit board (PCB) design. Electrical parameters of PCB traces. Component placement. Guidelines for PCB design.
- Demonstration of Altium Designer module for PCB design. Design rule checking.
- Midterm exam.
- Particular requirements for electronic device design: grounding, shielding and power supply.
- Particular requirements for electronic device design: sensitive analog circuits, high speed digital logic. Signal integrity analysis.
- Particular requirements for electronic device design: electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
- Analysis and simulation of electrical circuits. Realistic electronic components. SPICE simulation of electrical circuits.
- Preparation of manufacturing documentation. Low and high volume production, testing. Mechanical design and enclosures. Economical aspects. Complex examples.
- Visit to electronic device design and manufacturing company.
- Final exam.