Analog Devices (EET1141C) — Linear Techniques I

Course Description

EET1141C — Analog Devices (also offered as Electronics I or Linear Techniques I at various Florida institutions) is a combined lecture and laboratory course in the Electronic Engineering Technology program. This is typically the first of two courses covering solid-state electronics and provides students with a foundation in analog circuit principles.

Students learn to apply electronic principles to analog circuits and systems, including semiconductor diodes, the fundamental theory of transistors and other solid-state devices, and the analysis of amplifiers, oscillators, and related applications using sinusoidal signals. Laboratory sessions reinforce theory through hands-on measurement, circuit construction, and data analysis using standard electronic test equipment. Students also learn basic safety procedures for working in an electronics laboratory.

Credit Hours: 3  |  Contact Hours: 48 (Lecture: 32 / Lab: 16)  |  Lab Indicator: C (combined lecture and laboratory)

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

• Prerequisite (common): EET1025C (DC/AC Circuits) or equivalent
• Math Prerequisite (common): MAC 1105 (College Algebra) or MAC 1114 (Trigonometry) or MAC 1147; varies by institution
• Note: Some institutions list MAC 1105 or EET1025C as a co-requisite rather than a strict prerequisite.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

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

• Explain the physics of semiconductor materials, including P-type and N-type doping, majority/minority carriers, and the PN junction.
• Analyze and predict the behavior of rectifier diodes, including half-wave and full-wave rectifier circuits with filtering.
• Analyze and apply Zener diode voltage-regulation circuits.
• Measure and plot the V-I (Voltage-Current) characteristics of forward- and reverse-biased diodes in the laboratory.
• Explain the operating principles of Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) in the common-emitter, common-base, and common-collector configurations.
• Bias a BJT to a specified quiescent (Q) point and analyze DC operating conditions using load-line analysis.
• Perform small-signal AC analysis of BJT amplifier circuits, including voltage gain, current gain, and input/output impedance.
• Analyze and design negative feedback amplifier circuits and explain the effect of feedback on gain and stability.
• Explain the operating principles and characteristics of Field-Effect Transistors (FETs), including JFETs and MOSFETs.
• Bias and analyze basic FET amplifier circuits.
• Use standard laboratory instruments — oscilloscope, multimeter, function generator, and DC power supply — to measure and verify circuit performance.
• Follow laboratory safety procedures when constructing and testing electronic circuits.
• Read and interpret component datasheets and technical documentation to select appropriate devices for circuit applications.

Optional / Enrichment Outcomes

The following outcomes are addressed at some Florida institutions and represent recommended enrichment content:

• Analyze and design transistor-based systems for a specific engineering application project, including written documentation and oral validation.
• Apply circuit simulation software (e.g., Multisim, LTspice, or equivalent) to model and verify analog circuit behavior.
• Analyze sinusoidal oscillator circuits (e.g., Colpitts, Hartley, or RC phase-shift) and explain conditions for sustained oscillation.
• Explain the characteristics and applications of special-purpose diodes such as LEDs, photodiodes, Schottky diodes, and varactor diodes.
• Describe the operating principles of thyristors (SCRs, TRIACs) and their use in power-control circuits.
• Interpret technical material and produce written technical reports summarizing experimental results and conclusions.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are consistently covered across Florida college offerings of this course:

• Semiconductor Fundamentals — Atomic structure, intrinsic vs. extrinsic semiconductors, N-type and P-type materials, PN junction formation, depletion region, forward and reverse bias
• Diode Characteristics and Models — Ideal diode model, piecewise-linear model, V-I curve, diode datasheet parameters
• Diode Circuit Applications — Half-wave and full-wave rectifiers (bridge and center-tap), capacitive filtering, ripple voltage, Zener voltage regulation
• Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) — NPN and PNP transistor construction, operating regions (active, saturation, cutoff), DC beta (hFE), alpha
• BJT Biasing — Fixed bias, voltage divider bias, emitter-stabilized bias, load-line and Q-point analysis
• BJT Small-Signal AC Analysis — r_e model and h-parameter model, common-emitter, common-collector (emitter follower), and common-base amplifier configurations; voltage gain, current gain, input/output impedance
• Negative Feedback Amplifiers — Types of feedback (series/shunt, voltage/current), effects on gain, bandwidth, and distortion
• Field-Effect Transistors (FETs) — JFET and MOSFET (depletion and enhancement mode) construction and characteristics, transfer curves, drain curves
• FET Biasing and Amplifiers — Self-bias, voltage divider bias, common-source and common-drain configurations, voltage gain
• Laboratory Practice — Circuit breadboarding, use of oscilloscope and multimeter, function generator operation, data collection, and technical report writing

Optional / Supplemental Topics

These topics appear in some but not all Florida institution offerings:

• Sinusoidal Oscillators — RC phase-shift, Wien bridge, Colpitts, and Hartley oscillator circuits; Barkhausen criterion
• Special-Purpose Diodes — LEDs, photodiodes, Schottky diodes, varactor (varicap) diodes, tunnel diodes
• Thyristors — SCR (Silicon-Controlled Rectifier) and TRIAC operation and switching applications
• Power Amplifiers — Class A, B, AB, and C amplifier operation and efficiency
• Amplifier Frequency Response — Bode plots, low- and high-frequency cutoff, bandwidth, Miller effect
• Circuit Simulation — SPICE-based simulation (LTspice, Multisim) for device modeling and circuit verification
• Transistor Design Project — Capstone mini-project requiring design, construction, testing, and documentation of a transistor-based circuit

Resources & Tools

• Textbooks (commonly used):
  • Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory — Boylestad & Nashelsky (Pearson)
  • Electronic Devices — Thomas Floyd (Pearson)
  • Semiconductor Devices: Theory and Application — James Fiore (open-source)
• Laboratory Equipment: Digital multimeter (DMM), dual-trace oscilloscope, DC power supply, function/signal generator, breadboard and component kit
• Software Tools: LTspice (free, Analog Devices), NI Multisim, or equivalent SPICE simulator
• Online References: Analog Devices University Program (wiki.analog.com), All About Circuits (allaboutcircuits.com), Texas Instruments device datasheets
• Test Equipment Standards: Familiarity with IEEE and IPC standards for component identification and circuit assembly is encouraged

Career Pathways

EET1141C provides foundational knowledge for a wide range of careers in electronics and electrical engineering technology. Graduates of programs built on this course typically pursue roles such as:

• Electronics Technician — Testing, troubleshooting, and repairing analog electronic equipment
• Electronics Engineering Technologist — Supporting design and development of electronic systems
• Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET) — Maintaining and repairing medical devices containing analog circuitry
• Avionics Technician — Maintaining analog and mixed-signal systems in aircraft
• Industrial Maintenance Technician — Troubleshooting solid-state control and motor drive circuits
• Field Service Engineer / Technician — Installing and servicing electronic equipment in the field

This course also serves as a prerequisite for advanced courses in Electronic Engineering Technology, including EET1141C Linear Techniques II, EET2326C Electronic Communications, and courses covering operational amplifiers and digital systems.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

Several Florida colleges note that EET1141C prepares students for industry-recognized technical certifications. The content aligns with the electronics fundamentals knowledge areas tested by the following credentials:

• CETa — Certified Electronics Technician (Associate Level) administered by the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET) — covers semiconductor device theory, diode circuits, and transistor amplifier fundamentals directly addressed in this course.
• ETA Electronics Technician Certification (ETA International) — Associate-level exam topics overlap with semiconductor devices and analog circuit analysis covered in EET1141C.
• Students continuing into the full Electronic Engineering Technology A.S. program may also work toward NCATT (National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies) credentials in avionics or related fields.

Laboratory Component Note

The "C" lab indicator in the course number (EET1141C) designates a combined lecture and laboratory course meeting in the same location. A laboratory fee is typically assessed (approximately $61 at some institutions). Students should be prepared for hands-on circuit construction in every laboratory session.