Adv Electronics Sensors Instrumentation (524H1)
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Advanced Electronics, Sensors and Instrumentation
Module 524H1
Module details for 2026/27.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)
Library
Analogue Integrated Circuit Design - D Jones, K. Martin
Demystifying switch capacitor circuits - M Liu
Module Outline
The goal of the Advanced Electronic Systems module is to provide students an exposure to the fascinating world of analogue and mixed-signal signal processing. As part of the course, the students will build analogue systems using analogue ICs and study their macro models, characteristics and limitations. The acquired knowledge is then applied during the lab for the development of modern sensing and instrumentation devices among other applications.
In this course students will learn:
• internal operation of analogue integrated circuits including noise and its effect in sensing applications
• operation of switched-capacitor circuits including comparator, filters and converters
• Practical experiments using industry standard hardware for data acquisition combined with the development of sensing and instrumentation prototypes.
• DAC and ADC oversampling converters and application in sensing and instrumentation
• phase-locked loop circuits
• To develop practical skills within the analogue and mixed-signal electronics laboratory work to for the development of modern sensing and instrumentation devices among other applications.
The syllabus thus addresses the AHEP4 Learning outcomes: [M1, M2, M4, M5, M6, M11, M12, M13], [C1, C2, C4, C5, C6, C11, C12, C13]
Module Topics
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 (i.e. ECG)
VCO and PLL applied to develop modern synthesizers
Charge Pumps and DC to DC converters
Advanced topics in electronics in sensing and instrumentation
Module learning outcomes
Apply a comprehensive knowledge of engineering principles and industry standards to design and critically analyse complex electronic circuits including VCO/ phase-locked-loop used in applications such as modulators in modern communication systems
Systemically identify and analyse the limitations on the design of complex analogue integrated circuits, using literature and mathematical principles to calculate the effects of errors and devise advanced circuit techniques to improve the overall performance of sensors and instrumentation devices
Apply an integrated/systems approach to develop and understand advanced analogue system techniques including switch capacitor, complex filters and sensors using operational amplifiers
Learn how to develop a macromodel for an IC based on its terminal characteristics, I/O characteristics, DC transfer characteristics, frequency response, stability characteristic and sensitivity characteristic and be able to perform fault diagnosis of an electronic system including the selection of the appropriate components in a laboratory environment to build modern sensing applications
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Examination | Semester 1 Assessment | 50.00% |
| Coursework | 50.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Report | XVAC Week 1 | 60.00% |
| Report | T1 Week 6 | 40.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Laboratory | 2 hours | 01111011100 |
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 00000000001 |
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 2 hours | 11111111110 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Elizabeth Rendon-Morales
Assess convenor
/profiles/345380
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The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.