Introduction to Electronics and Electrification

Aim

The course aims to provide a theoretical and practical foundation for electrical engineering with a particular focus on the basics of electronics and electronics for electrification. After the course the student should be able to:

• search for information, explain and identify the role of electrical engineering in society
• describe and explain commonly occurring electronic components including their areas of use – applications and common electronic circuits
• analyse direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) circuits
• explain and use basic digital technology and digital electronics
• simulate and measure various electronic circuits included in the course using fundamental laboratory equipment for electronics
• analyse and design simpler electronics and electronic systems.

Content

The significance of electrical engineering for society with a particular focus on electronics for electrification and its role in the ongoing transition. AI-supported report writing. A society-oriented group assignment where AI is used to support information gathering and report writing. A central part of the assignment is the critical examination of the information and sources in the report. Basics of circuit theory with a focus on direct current (DC) characteristics, including fundamental laws and solution methods. Alternating current (AC) characteristics are covered to a limited extent with a focus on understanding circuit functionality. Electronic components, their uses and common circuits. Basics of digital technology and digital electronics. Digital logic, number systems, Boolean algebra, Karnaugh maps, gates, combinational circuits. Digital signals, representation of digital values with analog waveforms. Fundamental measurement techniques with commonly used laboratory equipment including instruments such as multimeters, function generators, and oscilloscopes. Professional handling of measuring equipment and understanding of the characteristics of the instruments. Simulation, measurement, and analysis of commonly occurring electronic circuits. A laboratory course that concludes with a small project task anchored in the ongoing transition to an electronics-driven electrified society. The project task applies the analog and digital fundamentals in electronics and electronic systems acquired in the course.