Identify the converter (buck, boost or buck-boost) and the duty cycle D from the voltage ratio.
Use volt-second balance on the inductor: the average inductor voltage over a period is zero.
Find the inductor voltage while the switch is on, then ΔIL = VL·D/(L·f).
For the output ripple, find the charge that flows in and out of the capacitor; for the CCM boundary, set the average inductor current equal to ΔIL/2.
Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges
Divider voltages
Va = VsR2/(R1 + R2), Vb = VsR4/(R3 + R4)
Output
Vab = Va − Vb
Balance
R1/R2 = R3/R4
Slide-wire bridge
R/Rx = l/(100 − l)
Thévenin resistance
Rth = R1∥R2 + R3∥R4
Gauge factor
ΔR/R = GF·ε
Bridge output
quarter Vs·GF·ε/4, half Vs·GF·ε/2, full Vs·GF·ε
Small change, one arm
Vab ≈ Vs·ΔR/(4R)
Stress
σ = E·ε
Method
Treat the bridge as two voltage dividers across the same supply.
For balance, set R₁/R₂ = R₃/R₄ and solve for the unknown resistor.
For an unbalanced bridge, find Va and Vb from the dividers and subtract; use the Thévenin equivalent when a meter loads the output.
For strain gauges, convert strain to ΔR/R = GF·ε and use Vs·GF·ε/4, /2 or ×1 for a quarter, half or full bridge.
Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flops
Basic gates
A·B, A + B, A′, (A·B)′, (A + B)′, A ⊕ B
Boolean rules
X + X′ = 1, X·X′ = 0, X + XY = X, XY + XY′ = X
De Morgan
(X·Y)′ = X′ + Y′, (X + Y)′ = X′·Y′
Karnaugh map order
00, 01, 11, 10 (Gray code)
Group of 2ᵏ cells
loses k variables
4-to-1 multiplexer
F = A′B′I0 + A′BI1 + AB′I2 + ABI3
Flip-flops
D: Q⁺ = D, T: Q⁺ = T ⊕ Q, JK: Q⁺ = JQ′ + K′Q
Counters
n-bit: 2ⁿ states; mod-N: smallest n with 2ⁿ ≥ N; fout = fclk/N
Ripple counter
fmax = 1/(n·tpd)
Ring and Johnson counters
n and 2n states
Method
For a circuit, work from the inputs to the output one gate at a time and write the value on every wire, or write its expression and fill in the truth table.
For simplification, put the 1s (and the don’t-cares as X) into a Karnaugh map with Gray-code rows and columns: 00, 01, 11, 10.
Cover the 1s with as few and as large groups of 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 cells as possible, wrapping round the edges; each group is one product term made of the variables that stay constant. Group the 0s for the POS form.
For flip-flops and counters, read the inputs at each active clock edge, write the state after every edge, and remember that an n-bit counter wraps round after 2ⁿ states.
2Practice problems
1.Diodes & transistorsMedium
An NPN transistor with β = 80 has voltage-divider bias from VCC = 15 V: R₁ = 39 kΩ from VCC to the base and R₂ = 8.2 kΩ from the base to ground. The collector resistor is RC = 4.7 kΩ and the emitter resistor is RE = 680 Ω. Take VBE = 0.7 V and use the Thévenin equivalent of the divider (do not neglect the base current). Find the collector current IC in mA.
A 3.3 V Zener regulator has a 100 Ω series resistor. The input can rise to 20 V, and the load may be disconnected. Find the largest power PZ,max the Zener must dissipate.
Vin,max = 20 VVZ = 3.3 VR = 100 Ω
PZ,max = mW
3.Op-amp circuitsMedium
The difference amplifier uses an ideal op-amp with ±15 V supplies, with R3 = R1 and R4 = R2. Find the voltage V− at the inverting input.
Two ideal op-amp stages are connected in cascade: an inverting amplifier (R1, Rf1) followed by a non-inverting amplifier (R2 to ground, Rf2 in the feedback). Both run from ±15 V supplies. The input is Vin = −0.7 V. Find the output voltage Vout.
The inductor carries no current before the switch closes at t = 0. Find the energy W(∞) stored in the inductor once the circuit has settled, in mJ.
Vs = 15 VR = 20 ΩL = 22 mH
W(∞) = mJ
6.RC & RL transientsHard
The switch has been closed for a long time, so the circuit is in steady state. At t = 0 the switch opens. Find the capacitor voltage vC at t = 1000 ms.
Vs = 20 VR1 = 2.2 kΩR2 = 4.7 kΩC = 220 µFt = 1000 ms
vC = V
7.Series & parallel resistorsMedium
Find the equivalent resistance Req seen by the source V1.
V1 = 24 VR1 = 2 ΩR2 = 8 ΩR3 = 20 ΩR4 = 6 Ω
Req = Ω
8.Series & parallel resistorsHard
Find the equivalent resistance Req seen by the source V1.
An ideal inverting buck-boost converter turns 12 V into −28 V at 20 kHz with L = 330 µH. Find the peak-to-peak inductor ripple current ΔIL.
Vin = 12 VVo = −28 Vf = 20 kHzL = 330 µH
ΔIL = A
10.DC-DC convertersHard
An ideal boost converter turns 15 V into 25 V for a 5 Ω load at 50 kHz. The output capacitor is 220 µF. Find the peak-to-peak output voltage ripple ΔVo in mV.
Vin = 15 VVo = 25 Vf = 50 kHzC = 220 µFR = 5 Ω
ΔVo = mV
11.Wheatstone bridge & strain gaugesMedium
A 300 Ω strain gauge is one arm (R₂) of a bridge with four equal 300 Ω arms and an excitation of 10 V. Find the power Pg dissipated in the gauge, in mW. Self-heating limits the excitation.
Vs = 10 VR = 300 Ω
Pg = mW
12.Wheatstone bridge & strain gaugesHard
A bridge with 120 Ω arms is excited with 10 V and has one active gauge (quarter bridge). The gauge factor is 2.1 and the strain is 800 µε. Find the bridge output Vo in mV.
Use the Karnaugh map to find the minimal sum-of-products (SOP) form of F(A, B, C) = Σm(1, 3, 5). How many product terms N does it have?
F(A, B, C) = Σm(1, 3, 5)
N =
14.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flopsHard
For F(A, B, C, D) = Σm(1, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13) + d(0, 3, 8, 15), where d marks the don't-care conditions, find the number N of essential prime implicants.
BJT bias point: in the active region VBE = 0.7 V, IC = β·IB and IE = (β + 1)·IB. Find IB from the base loop with KVL, then IC, then VCE from the collector–emitter loop. A voltage divider at the base is replaced by its Thévenin equivalent VTH = VCC·R₂/(R₁ + R₂), RTH = R₁∥R₂; an emitter resistor appears (β + 1) times larger in the base loop.
Thévenin equivalent of the divider
VTH = 15·8.2/(39 + 8.2) = 2.606 V
RTH = 39·8.2/(39 + 8.2) = 6.775 kΩ
Base current
KVL around the base loop; the emitter current is (β + 1)·IB.
IB = (2.606 − 0.7)/(6.775 + 81·0.68) = 30.81 µA
Collector current
IC = 80·30.81 µA = 2.465 mA
IE = 81·30.81 µA = 2.496 mA
Answer
IC = 2.465 mA
2.Diodes & transistors
Answer: PZ,max = 551.1 mW
Zener regulator: a reverse-biased Zener diode holds its voltage VZ while its current stays above a minimum IZ,min. The series resistor R takes the difference between input and output: IR = (Vin − VZ)/R. That current splits between the load, IL = VZ/RL, and the Zener: IZ = IR − IL. Design for the worst cases: the lowest input with the largest load must still leave IZ,min, and the highest input with no load gives the largest Zener power PZ = VZ·IZ.
Worst-case Zener current
IZ = 16.7/100 = 167 mA
Zener power
PZ = 3.3·167 = 551.1 mW
Answer
PZ,max = 551.1 mW
3.Op-amp circuits
Answer: V− = 1.237 V
Ideal op-amp rules: with negative feedback, the op-amp drives its output so that its two inputs sit at the same voltage (V₋ = V₊), and no current flows into either input. Writing KCL at the inverting input with these two facts gives the output.
Voltage at the inputs
R₃ and R₄ carry the same current, so they form a voltage divider; feedback makes V₋ = V₊.
Ideal op-amp rules: with negative feedback, the op-amp drives its output so that its two inputs sit at the same voltage (V₋ = V₊), and no current flows into either input. Writing KCL at the inverting input with these two facts gives the output.
Gain of each stage
A1 = −Rf1/R1 = −2/1 = −2
A2 = 1 + Rf2/R2 = 1 + 4.7/1 = 5.7
Stage by stage
V1 = −2·(−0.7) = 1.4 V
Vout = 5.7·1.4 = 7.98 V
Answer
Vout = 7.98 V
5.RC & RL transients
Answer: W(∞) = 6.188 mJ
First-order transients: in a circuit with one capacitor or one inductor, every voltage and current moves exponentially from its initial value to its final value: x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]·e−t/τ, with τ = RC or τ = L/R. After about 5τ the circuit has settled.
Time constant and final current
Long after the switch closes the inductor behaves like a short circuit, so the final current is set by R alone.
τ = L/R = 22 mH / 20 Ω = 1.1 ms
i(∞) = Vs/R = 15/20 = 0.75 A
Stored energy
W(∞) = ½·L·i(∞)² = ½·22·0.75² = 6.188 mJ
Answer
W(∞) = 6.188 mJ
6.RC & RL transients
Answer: vC = 5.179 V
First-order transients: in a circuit with one capacitor or one inductor, every voltage and current moves exponentially from its initial value to its final value: x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]·e−t/τ, with τ = RC or τ = L/R. After about 5τ the circuit has settled.
Initial capacitor voltage
In steady state the capacitor is an open circuit, so R₁ and R₂ form a voltage divider. The capacitor voltage cannot jump when the switch opens.
vC(0) = 20·4.7/(2.2 + 4.7) = 13.62 V
Time constant after the switch opens
τ = R2·C = 4.7·220 = 1034 ms
Discharge
vC(t) = 13.62·e−1000/1034 = 5.179 V
Answer
vC = 5.179 V
7.Series & parallel resistors
Answer: Req = 8.118 Ω
Series and parallel resistors: in series the same current flows through each resistor and R = R₁ + R₂ + …. In parallel each resistor has the same voltage and 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …. A ladder network is reduced one pair at a time until a single equivalent resistance remains.
Combine resistors from the far end
Start at the end farthest from the source and work back towards it. Resistors carrying the same current are in series; resistors across the same two nodes are in parallel.
R3 + R4 = 20 + 6 = 26 Ω
R2 ∥ 26 = 8·26/(8+26) = 6.118 Ω
Req = R1 + 6.118 = 2 + 6.118 = 8.118 Ω
Answer
Req = 8.118 Ω
8.Series & parallel resistors
Answer: Req = 14.66 Ω
Series and parallel resistors: in series the same current flows through each resistor and R = R₁ + R₂ + …. In parallel each resistor has the same voltage and 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …. A ladder network is reduced one pair at a time until a single equivalent resistance remains.
Combine resistors from the far end
Start at the end farthest from the source and work back towards it. Resistors carrying the same current are in series; resistors across the same two nodes are in parallel.
R5 + R6 = 30 + 20 = 50 Ω
R4 ∥ 50 = 9.677 Ω
R3 + 9.677 = 39.68 Ω
R2 ∥ 39.68 = 6.658 Ω
Req = R1 + 6.658 = 8 + 6.658 = 14.66 Ω
Answer
Req = 14.66 Ω
9.DC-DC converters
Answer: ΔIL = 1.273 A
DC-DC converters: a switch S turns on for the fraction D of each period T = 1/f. In steady state the average inductor voltage is zero (volt-second balance), which gives the ideal conversion ratios in continuous conduction: buck Vo = D·Vin, boost Vo = Vin/(1 − D), inverting buck-boost |Vo| = Vin·D/(1 − D). An ideal converter keeps the power: Vin·Iin = Vo·Io. While S is on the inductor current rises by ΔIL = VL·D·T/L, with VL = Vin − Vo for the buck and Vin for the boost and buck-boost. The output ripple is ΔVo = ΔIL/(8fC) for the buck and Io·D/(fC) for the boost and buck-boost. The inductor current just touches zero (the CCM boundary) when the average inductor current equals ΔIL/2.
Duty cycle
D = 28/(12 + 28) = 0.7
Inductor voltage during the on-time
While S is on, the inductor sits directly across Vin.
VL = 12 V
Ripple current
ΔIL = VL·D/(L·f) = 12·0.7/(330·10⁻⁶·20·10³) = 1.273 A
Answer
ΔIL = 1.273 A
10.DC-DC converters
Answer: ΔVo = 181.8 mV
DC-DC converters: a switch S turns on for the fraction D of each period T = 1/f. In steady state the average inductor voltage is zero (volt-second balance), which gives the ideal conversion ratios in continuous conduction: buck Vo = D·Vin, boost Vo = Vin/(1 − D), inverting buck-boost |Vo| = Vin·D/(1 − D). An ideal converter keeps the power: Vin·Iin = Vo·Io. While S is on the inductor current rises by ΔIL = VL·D·T/L, with VL = Vin − Vo for the buck and Vin for the boost and buck-boost. The output ripple is ΔVo = ΔIL/(8fC) for the buck and Io·D/(fC) for the boost and buck-boost. The inductor current just touches zero (the CCM boundary) when the average inductor current equals ΔIL/2.
Duty cycle
D = 1 − 15/25 = 0.4
Load current
Io = 25/5 = 5 A
Output ripple
ΔVo = 5·0.4/(50·10³·220·10⁻⁶) = 181.8 mV
Answer
ΔVo = 181.8 mV
11.Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges
Answer: Pg = 83.33 mW
Wheatstone bridge: two voltage dividers share one supply Vs. The left divider R1–R2 gives Va = Vs·R2/(R1 + R2) and the right divider R3–R4 gives Vb = Vs·R4/(R3 + R4); the output is Vab = Va − Vb. The bridge is balanced (Vab = 0, no current in the meter) when R1/R2 = R3/R4, that is R1·R4 = R2·R3. Seen from the output, the bridge is a Thévenin source with Rth = R1∥R2 + R3∥R4.
Voltage across the gauge
V = 10/2 = 5 V
Power
Pg = 5²/300 = 83.33 mW
Answer
Pg = 83.33 mW
12.Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges
Answer: Vo = 4.2 mV
Strain gauges: a gauge changes its resistance with strain: ΔR/R = GF·ε, where the gauge factor GF is about 2 for metal foil. In a bridge with all arms equal to R, one active gauge (quarter bridge) gives Vo ≈ Vs·GF·ε/4. Two active gauges with opposite strains in adjacent arms (half bridge) give Vs·GF·ε/2, and four (full bridge) give Vs·GF·ε. Stress follows from Hooke’s law, σ = E·ε. Load cells state their sensitivity in mV/V: the output at full load per volt of excitation.
Relative resistance change
ΔR/R = 2.1·800·10⁻⁶ = 0.00168
Bridge output
Vo ≈ Vs·GF·ε/4 = 10·0.00168/4 = 4.2 mV
Answer
Vo = 4.2 mV
13.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flops
Answer: N = 2
Karnaugh maps: the cells are ordered in Gray code (00, 01, 11, 10), so neighbouring cells, including the ones across the edges, differ in exactly one variable. Group the 1s in rectangles of 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 cells, as large as possible and as few as possible, until every 1 is covered. Each group is one product term: the variables that stay constant inside it. A group of 2ᵏ cells loses k variables. Don't-cares (X) may be used to make groups bigger but never have to be covered. Grouping the 0s instead gives the minimal POS form.
Group the 1s
Every group is a rectangle of 2ᵏ cells; edge cells are neighbours of the cells on the opposite edge.
B′C
A′C
Minimal SOP form
F = B′C + A′C
N = 2
Answer
N = 2
14.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flops
Answer: N = 1
Karnaugh maps: the cells are ordered in Gray code (00, 01, 11, 10), so neighbouring cells, including the ones across the edges, differ in exactly one variable. Group the 1s in rectangles of 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 cells, as large as possible and as few as possible, until every 1 is covered. Each group is one product term: the variables that stay constant inside it. A group of 2ᵏ cells loses k variables. Don't-cares (X) may be used to make groups bigger but never have to be covered. Grouping the 0s instead gives the minimal POS form.
Prime implicants
The largest groups that can be formed from 1s and Xs.