Advanced Electronics, Sensors and Instrumentation (524H1)

15 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Autumn teaching

On this module, you’ll explore the world of analogue and mixed-signal signal processing.

You’ll learn:

  • to build analogue systems using analogue ICs
  • to study their macro models, characteristics and limitations
  • to apply this knowledge to the lab
  • how to develop modern sensing and instrumentation devices
  • the internal operation of analogue integrated circuits, including noise and its effect in sensing applications
  • operations of switched-capacitor circuits, including comparator, filters and converters
  • how to experiment using industry-standard hardware for data acquisition
  • how to develop sensing and instrumentation prototypes
  • DAC and ADC oversampling converters
  • application in sensing and instrumentation
  • phase-locked loop circuits
  • practical skills within the analogue and mixed-signal electronics laboratory work.

Topics include:

  • introduction and Op-amp abstraction
  • feedback
  • op-amp circuits and its application as instrumentation devices
  • noise in Op-amps
  • negative feedback
  • positive feedback and comparators applied for the development of oscillators and clock signal generators
  • multi-vibrators and Comparators II
  • second Order Analogue Filters for noise removal in sensing and instrumentation
  • switch capacitor filters
  • universal Active filters applied to develop sensors in electrophysiology applications (such as ECG)
  • VCO and PLL applied to develop modern synthesizers
  • charge Pumps and DC to DC converters
  • advanced topics in electronics in sensing and instrumentation.

Teaching

60%: Lecture
40%: Practical (Laboratory)

Assessment

50%: Coursework (Report)
50%: Examination (Unseen examination)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 30 hours of contact time and about 120 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: