Analog Circuits Technician

Course Description

AVS0682 — Analog Circuits Technician is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course that extends the foundational competencies developed in the entry-level avionics electronics courses (AVS0680 Basic Electronics Wiring Installer/Technician and AVS0681 Solid State Devices/Digital Circuits Technician where institutionally offered) into the analysis, troubleshooting, and repair of analog electronic circuits used in aircraft communication, navigation, and instrumentation systems. As a PSAV course, it carries 0 college credits — clock hours are the unit of measurement, and successful completion is documented on the student's official PSAV transcript.

The course is aligned to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Avionics Systems Technician framework (Program T400310), the 1,200-clock-hour PSAV program preparing students for entry-level employment as avionics, electrical, and electronic technicians. AVS0682 sits within the middle-to-advanced Occupational Completion Points of this framework, building the analog electronics competency required for understanding and servicing aircraft radios, audio amplifiers, instrument signal conditioners, autopilot servo amplifiers, navigation receivers, and other analog signal-processing systems found in modern general aviation, commercial transport, and military aircraft.

The course is offered at FLDOE-recognized Florida technical colleges including George T. Baker Aviation Technical College (Miami-Dade County Public Schools), Atlantic Technical College (Broward County), Pinellas Technical College, and other Florida technical and adult-education centers operating the Avionics Systems Technician program. Course length within the 1,200-hour program varies by institution; common Analog Circuits Technician OCP lengths range from approximately 200 to 350 clock hours depending on how the institution sequences the framework standards. Topics covered include the operation and analysis of bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), field-effect transistors (FETs), operational amplifiers, multi-stage amplifiers, oscillators, active filters, and analog modulation techniques foundational to radio communication and avionics signal processing.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Apply continued shop and electronic-laboratory safety practices, including OSHA general industry standards (29 CFR 1910), electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and the safe handling of energized circuits and benchtop power supplies.
• Describe and analyze the operation of bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), including DC biasing (fixed bias, voltage divider bias, emitter-stabilized bias), small-signal AC analysis, and the three principal configurations (common emitter, common base, common collector).
• Describe and analyze the operation of field-effect transistors (FETs), including JFET and MOSFET operation, biasing methods, and the use of FETs in amplifier and switching applications.
• Identify and describe the operating characteristics of amplifier classes (Class A, B, AB, C, and D), including efficiency, distortion, and typical applications in audio and RF stages.
• Analyze and construct multi-stage amplifiers, including direct-coupled, capacitor-coupled, and transformer-coupled stages; calculate and measure overall voltage gain, current gain, and power gain.
• Apply operational amplifier (op-amp) theory and circuits, including the ideal op-amp model, inverting and non-inverting configurations, summing amplifiers, difference amplifiers, instrumentation amplifiers, integrators, and differentiators.
• Design and analyze active filters using op-amps, including low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-reject (notch) filter topologies; calculate cutoff frequencies and roll-off characteristics.
• Describe and analyze oscillators, including RC oscillators (Wien bridge, phase shift), LC oscillators (Hartley, Colpitts), crystal-controlled oscillators, and voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs).
• Describe the principles of analog modulation, including amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and phase modulation (PM), as foundations for understanding aircraft radio transmitters and receivers.
• Use standard electronic test equipment at intermediate proficiency, including digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, function generators, spectrum analyzers (where available), and audio analyzers, to make signal-tracing measurements and verify circuit operation.
• Apply systematic troubleshooting techniques to malfunctioning analog circuits, including signal-tracing, signal-injection, voltage-and-resistance measurement, and component-substitution methods.
• Read and interpret electronic schematics, signal-flow diagrams, and service manuals for analog circuit stages typical of aircraft avionics equipment.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis and the time available within the course, students may also:

• Continue preparation for the FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) Element 3 examination, particularly the analog electronics, modulation, and amplifier portions.
• Continue preparation for the AEA Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) credential offered by the Aircraft Electronics Association.
• Continue preparation for the NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) credential.
• Apply SPICE-based circuit simulation (LTspice, Multisim, or equivalent) to verify analog circuit behavior before benchwork.
• Investigate noise, distortion, and stability in analog amplifier stages, including thermal noise, harmonic distortion, and frequency compensation.
• Survey introductory RF amplifier and mixer circuits as a bridge to the radio-repair and aircraft-electrical-systems OCPs that follow.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Diode Circuits and Applications — review of half-wave and full-wave rectifiers, voltage regulators, voltage doublers/multipliers, clamper and clipper circuits as a foundation for transistor work.
• BJT Operation and Biasing — NPN and PNP transistor operation, characteristic curves, DC load line analysis, biasing schemes (fixed, voltage divider, emitter-stabilized), Q-point stability over temperature.
• BJT Small-Signal Amplifiers — common-emitter, common-base, and common-collector (emitter follower) configurations; AC equivalent circuits; voltage and current gain calculations; input and output impedance.
• FET Operation and Biasing — JFET, depletion-mode MOSFET, and enhancement-mode MOSFET operation; biasing techniques; small-signal models; common-source, common-drain, and common-gate configurations.
• Amplifier Classes — Class A, Class B (push-pull), Class AB (audio output stages), Class C (RF), and Class D (switching); efficiency, linearity, and typical applications.
• Multi-Stage Amplifiers — cascade and cascode configurations; direct, capacitor, and transformer coupling; overall gain calculations; frequency response and bandwidth.
• Operational Amplifiers — ideal op-amp model, inverting and non-inverting configurations, voltage follower, summing amplifier, difference amplifier, instrumentation amplifier, integrator, differentiator; common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR), slew rate, gain-bandwidth product.
• Active Filters — first- and second-order low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-reject (notch) topologies; Butterworth and Chebyshev responses; cutoff frequency and roll-off calculations.
• Oscillators — Barkhausen criterion, RC phase-shift oscillator, Wien-bridge oscillator, Hartley and Colpitts LC oscillators, crystal-controlled oscillators, voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs).
• Analog Modulation — amplitude modulation (AM) generation and demodulation, frequency modulation (FM) and phase modulation (PM) principles, single-sideband (SSB) basics, and the role of analog modulation in aircraft VHF Comm and HF Comm radios.
• Power Supplies and Voltage Regulation — linear voltage regulators (78xx, 79xx, LM317), switching regulator basics, ripple and regulation specifications.
• Troubleshooting Methodology — signal tracing, signal injection, voltage-resistance method, half-split troubleshooting, and the use of test equipment to isolate faults to the stage and component level.

Optional Topics

• SPICE Circuit Simulation — LTspice, Multisim, or equivalent software for analog circuit verification.
• Noise and Distortion Analysis — thermal noise, shot noise, harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, and total harmonic distortion (THD) measurement.
• Frequency Compensation and Stability — Bode plots, gain margin, phase margin, frequency compensation in op-amp circuits.
• Introductory RF Concepts — RF amplifier topologies, mixers, and the bridge to subsequent radio-repair coursework.
• Specialty Circuits — phase-locked loops (PLLs), frequency synthesizers, and analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog conversion.

Resources & Tools

• FLDOE Avionics Systems Technician Framework (T400310) — the official curriculum framework establishing the Occupational Completion Points and standards.
• Standard analog electronics textbooks — Floyd Electronic Devices, Boylestad & Nashelsky Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, Sedra & Smith Microelectronic Circuits, or institution-selected equivalent.
• FAA Advisory Circular AC 43.13-1B — "Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices — Aircraft Inspection, Repair, and Alterations," foundational reference for aircraft electrical and electronic systems work.
• FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) resources — particularly the Element 3 study guides covering analog electronics theory.
• Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) CAET preparation materials — aea.net.
• Test Equipment — digital multimeters (Fluke 87 V or equivalent), digital storage oscilloscopes (≥100 MHz), function generators, DC bench power supplies (dual-tracking), audio signal generators, and where available spectrum analyzers and audio analyzers (Audio Precision, Quantasylum, or equivalent).
• Component Inventory — discrete BJTs (2N3904, 2N3906, 2N2222), FETs (2N7000, IRF series), operational amplifiers (LM741, TL081, LM358, LF356), resistor and capacitor sets, breadboards, and instructor-curated trainer kits.
• SPICE Simulation Software — LTspice (free), Multisim, or equivalent for pre-build circuit verification.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — safety glasses, ESD wrist strap and ESD-safe work surface.

Career Pathways

AVS0682 advances students through the FLDOE Avionics Systems Technician framework toward the radio-repair and aircraft-electrical-systems OCPs that complete the 1,200-hour program. Successful completion supports progression into:

• Continued Avionics Systems Technician PSAV Program — students continue through the framework's subsequent OCPs, typically including Solid State Devices, Digital Circuits, Microprocessors, Radio Repair Stations, and Aircraft Electrical Systems.
• Avionics Technician / Aircraft Electronics Technician (SOC 49-2091) — entry- and mid-level positions at FAA Part 145 repair stations, fixed-base operators, aircraft manufacturing facilities, and military aviation maintenance organizations. Florida statewide median wages average approximately $58,910 annually.
• Aerospace Industry — Florida Space Coast — SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, and the United Launch Alliance employ analog-electronics-trained technicians for ground support equipment, telemetry systems, and spacecraft avionics.
• Aerospace Industry — Jacksonville and Pensacola — Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Air Station Pensacola Department of Defense aerospace maintenance contractors (Northrop Grumman, Boeing, L3Harris).
• South Florida General Aviation Industry — Fort Lauderdale Executive, Opa-Locka, Boca Raton, and Miami-Opa Locka airports host avionics shops servicing the business-jet, charter, and general-aviation fleets.
• Embraer Commercial and Executive Jets — Melbourne and Jacksonville operations.
• Adjacent Electronics Industries — analog electronics competency transfers to industrial electronics, broadcast engineering, marine electronics, and audio-engineering employment.
• Articulation to Aviation A.S./A.A.S. Degrees — clock hours from PSAV avionics programs may articulate (subject to institutional agreement) into A.S./A.A.S. degrees and into Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Avionics Line Maintenance Bachelor of Science program (Daytona Beach).

Special Information

Program Type and Credit

AVS0682 is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course. PSAV courses do not carry college credit hours; credits=0 reflects this, with the real measurement being the clock hours of instructional time. Common Analog Circuits Technician OCP lengths within the 1,200-hour FLDOE Avionics Systems Technician framework range from 200 to 350 hours depending on how the institution sequences the framework standards. The estimate of 300 hours used here is representative; students should consult the awarding institution's catalog for the exact clock-hour count applicable to their enrollment.

FLDOE Framework Alignment

This course is aligned to the FLDOE Avionics Systems Technician curriculum framework (Program Number T400310). The framework establishes a 1,200-hour PSAV program structured into multiple Occupational Completion Points; AVS0682 represents the analog-electronics OCP that follows the entry-level basic-electronics OCP (AVS0680). Course title, hour count, and exact content coverage may vary by institution; students should verify with the awarding institution's catalog.

Industry Certifications

The course content prepares students for several industry credentials commonly recognized by Florida and national avionics employers:

• FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) — Element 3 (General Radiotelephone) covers electronic fundamentals and techniques required to adjust, repair, and maintain radio transmitters and receivers, with significant analog electronics content addressed in this course.
• AEA Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) — analog electronics is a substantial component of the CAET examination.
• NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) — industry-recognized standard developed by the National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies.
• ETA International electronics certifications — multiple ETA credentials are accepted by Florida employers and aerospace contractors.

Articulation and Transfer

As a PSAV clock-hour course, AVS0682 does not automatically transfer between institutions as college credit. Some Florida public colleges have specific articulation agreements that recognize PSAV avionics completion toward A.S./A.A.S. degrees in aviation maintenance and aerospace technology — students should consult the receiving institution's articulation officer for specific applicability.

Military Credit Equivalency

Students with prior military training in avionics, electronics maintenance, communications systems, or related Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) classifications may be eligible for military credit equivalency awards toward this course. Particularly relevant MOS classifications include:

• U.S. Navy AT (Aviation Electronics Technician) — including AT(F), AT(I), AT(O), AT(P), and AT(U) Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) variants
• U.S. Air Force 2A5X3 (Avionics Test Station and Components) and 2A5X1 (Aerospace Maintenance)
• U.S. Army 35F (Intelligence Analyst with electronic systems exposure) and 15F (Aircraft Electrician)
• U.S. Marine Corps 6314, 6324, 6336, 6386 (avionics MOSes)
• U.S. Coast Guard AET (Avionics Electrical Technician)
• Any military electronics maintenance specialty with documented analog circuit theory, troubleshooting, and amplifier/oscillator coursework

Documentation through the Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript is the basis for evaluation. Daytona State College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, and the Miami-Dade County technical colleges maintain dedicated military-credit equivalency processes for avionics PSAV programs.