Electronics 1: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 14 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Diodes & transistors

Diode (constant drop)
VD = 0.7 V when conducting
Active region
VBE = 0.7 V, IC = β·IB, IE = (β + 1)·IB
Fixed bias
IB = (VCC − 0.7)/RB
Divider bias
IB = (VTH − 0.7)/(RTH + (β + 1)RE)
Thévenin of the divider
VTH = VCC·R2/(R1 + R2), RTH = R1∥R2
Collector loop
VCE = VCC − ICRC − IERE
Saturation
IC(sat) = (VCC − VCE(sat))/RC, IB ≥ IC(sat)/β

Op-amp circuits

Inverting amplifier
Vout = −(Rf/Rin)·Vin
Non-inverting amplifier
Vout = (1 + Rf/R1)·Vin
Summing amplifier
Vout = −Rf(V1/R1 + V2/R2)
Ideal op-amp
V+ = V−, Iin = 0

RC & RL transients

Time constant
τ = RC | τ = L/R
Response
x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]·e−t/τ
Capacitor at DC
open circuit; vC cannot jump
Inductor at DC
short circuit; iL cannot jump
Settled
t ≈ 5τ

Method

  1. Find the initial value just after switching: a capacitor voltage and an inductor current cannot jump.
  2. Find the final value long after switching: a capacitor acts as an open circuit, an inductor as a short circuit.
  3. Find the time constant: τ = RC or τ = L/R, using the resistance seen by the capacitor or inductor.
  4. Use x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]·e−t/τ.

Series & parallel resistors

Resistors in series
Req = R1 + R2 + …
Resistors in parallel
1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + …
Two in parallel
Req = R1R2 / (R1 + R2)
Ohm's law
V = I·R
Power
P = V·I = I²R = V²/R

Method

  1. Start at the end of the network furthest from the terminals.
  2. Combine resistors in series by adding them, and resistors in parallel with 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …
  3. Redraw the circuit after each step.
  4. Repeat until one resistor is left between the terminals.

DC-DC converters

Buck
Vo = D·Vin
Boost
Vo = Vin/(1 − D)
Inverting buck-boost
|Vo| = Vin·D/(1 − D)
Ideal power balance
VinIin = VoIo
Inductor ripple
ΔIL = VL,on·D/(L·f); buck Vin − Vo, boost and buck-boost Vin
Average inductor current
buck Io; boost and buck-boost Io/(1 − D)
Output ripple
buck ΔIL/(8fC); boost and buck-boost Io·D/(fC)
CCM boundary
buck (1 − D)R/(2f); boost D(1 − D)²R/(2f); buck-boost (1 − D)²R/(2f)

Method

  1. Identify the converter (buck, boost or buck-boost) and the duty cycle D from the voltage ratio.
  2. Use volt-second balance on the inductor: the average inductor voltage over a period is zero.
  3. Find the inductor voltage while the switch is on, then ΔIL = VL·D/(L·f).
  4. 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

  1. Treat the bridge as two voltage dividers across the same supply.
  2. For balance, set R₁/R₂ = R₃/R₄ and solve for the unknown resistor.
  3. For an unbalanced bridge, find Va and Vb from the dividers and subtract; use the Thévenin equivalent when a meter loads the output.
  4. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
+−9 VR = ?4 × 2 V25 mA

4 red LEDs (forward voltage 2 V each) are connected in series with a resistor to a 9 V supply. Find the resistance R that sets the current to 25 mA.

Vs = 9 VVF = 2 Vn = 4I = 25 mA
R = Ω
2.Diodes & transistorsHard
RC​ = 470 Ωβ = 80VCC​ = 12 V5 VRB​ = ?

An NPN transistor with β = 80 switches a 470 Ω load resistor connected between VCC = 12 V and its collector. The emitter is grounded. The base is driven from a 5 V logic output through a base resistor RB. Take VBE = 0.7 V and VCE(sat) = 0.2 V. For reliable switching, design for a base current 3 times the minimum needed for saturation. Find RB in kΩ.

VCC = 12 VRC = 470 Ωβ = 80Vin = 5 VVBE = 0.7 VVCE(sat) = 0.2 Voverdrive = 3
RB = kΩ
3.Op-amp circuitsMedium
−+Vout​Rf​ = 22 kΩR1​ = 22 kΩVin​ = 0.8 V

The op-amp is ideal and runs from ±15 V supplies. Find the output voltage Vout.

Vin = 0.8 VR1 = 22 kΩRf = 22 kΩ
Vout = V
4.Op-amp circuitsHard
−+Vout​C = 4.7 µFVin​ = 2.3 VR = 47 kΩ

The integrator uses an ideal op-amp with ±15 V supplies; its output saturates at ±13 V. The capacitor is uncharged when a constant input Vin = 2.3 V is applied at t = 0. How long after t = 0 does the output reach saturation? Find t.

Vin = 2.3 VR = 47 kΩC = 4.7 µFVsat = ±13 V
t = ms
5.RC & RL transientsMedium
R = 50 Ωt = 0L10 mHi(t)

The inductor carries a steady current of 0.5 A. At t = 0 the switch closes the loop through R and the source is removed, so the inductor current decays through R. How long does it take for the current to fall to 0.125 A? Find t.

i(0) = 0.5 AR = 50 ΩL = 10 mH
t = ms
6.RC & RL transientsHard
+−Vs​5 Vt = 0R = ?C1 µF+−vC​

A timer starts charging an uncharged capacitor through a resistor from a 5 V supply at t = 0. It must trigger when the capacitor voltage reaches 3.75 V, exactly 200 ms after the start. With C = 1 µF, find the resistance R needed.

Vs = 5 VVth = 3.75 VT = 200 msC = 1 µF
R = kΩ
7.Series & parallel resistorsMedium
R1​ = 15 ΩIR1​R3​ = 4 Ω+−V1​10 VR2​12 ΩAR4​15 ΩB

Find the current IR1 delivered by the source, which flows through R1.

V1 = 10 VR1 = 15 ΩR2 = 12 ΩR3 = 4 ΩR4 = 15 Ω
IR1 = A
8.Series & parallel resistorsHard
R1​ = 30 ΩIR1​R3​ = 10 ΩR5​ = 10 Ω+−V1​15 VR2​12 ΩAR4​5 ΩBR6​20 Ω

Find the current IR1 delivered by the source, which flows through R1.

V1 = 15 VR1 = 30 ΩR2 = 12 ΩR3 = 10 ΩR4 = 5 ΩR5 = 10 ΩR6 = 20 Ω
IR1 = A
9.DC-DC convertersMedium
tiL​Imax​ = ?Imin​Io​DTT2T

A buck converter turns 36 V into 18 V for a 5 Ω load. It switches at 200 kHz with L = 100 µH. Find the peak inductor current Imax.

Vin​ = 36 VVo​ = 18 Vf = 200 kHzL = 100 µHR = 5 Ω
Imax = A
10.DC-DC convertersHard
tiL​Imax​IL​DTT2T

An ideal boost converter turns 12 V into 48 V for a 25 Ω load at 100 kHz. Find the smallest inductance Lcrit for continuous conduction.

Vin​ = 12 VVo​ = 48 Vf = 100 kHzR = 25 Ω
Lcrit = µH
11.Wheatstone bridge & strain gaugesMedium
+−5 V200 Ω200 Ω200 Ω200 Ωab+−

A 200 Ω strain gauge is one arm (R₂) of a bridge with four equal 200 Ω arms and an excitation of 5 V. Find the power Pg dissipated in the gauge, in mW. Self-heating limits the excitation.

Vs = 5 VR = 200 Ω
Pg = mW
12.Wheatstone bridge & strain gaugesHard
+−2.5 V120 Ω120 Ω + ΔR120 Ω120 Ωab+−1.537 mV

A strain gauge (GF = 2.05) on a member with E = 110 GPa forms a quarter bridge excited with 2.5 V. The output reads 1.537 mV. Find the axial stress σ in MPa.

Vs = 2.5 VGF = 2.05Vo = 1.537 mVE = 110 GPa
σ = MPa
13.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flopsMedium
ABCD000111100001111000010302041507161121130150140809011010

Use the Karnaugh map to find the minimal sum-of-products (SOP) form of F(A, B, C, D) = Σm(5, 6, 12, 13). How many literals L does it contain in total (a primed variable counts as one literal)?

F(A, B, C, D) = Σm(5, 6, 12, 13)
L =
14.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flopsHard
ABCD00011110000111101001X3X21415171611201311501408X9011110

Find the minimal SOP form of F(A, B, C, D) = Σm(0, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15) + d(2, 3, 9), where d marks the don't-care conditions. How many product terms N does it have?

F(A, B, C, D) = Σm(0, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15) + d(2, 3, 9)
N =

3Solutions

1.Diodes & transistors

Answer: R = 40 Ω

LED and diode circuits: a forward-biased LED drops roughly its forward voltage VF (about 2 V for red, 3 V for blue or white), whatever the current. A series resistor sets the current: R = (Vs − n·VF)/I for n LEDs in series. With a more exact diode model V = V₀ + I·rd, the operating point is where the diode line meets the load line I = (Vs − V)/R, so I = (Vs − V₀)/(R + rd).

Voltage across the resistor

VR = 9 − 4·2 = 1 V

Resistance

R = 1/0.025 = 40 Ω

Answer

R = 40 Ω

The resistor dissipates 25 mW.

2.Diodes & transistors

Answer: RB = 4.567 kΩ

BJT as a switch: to switch a load fully on, the transistor is driven into saturation, where VCE = VCE(sat) and the collector current is set by the load: IC(sat) = (VCC − VCE(sat))/RC. Saturation needs at least IB = IC(sat)/β. If the base current is smaller, the transistor stays active and IC = β·IB.

Collector current in saturation

IC(sat) = (12 − 0.2)/470 = 25.11 mA

Minimum base current

IB(min) = IC(sat)/β = 25.11/80 = 313.8 µA

Design base current

IB = 3·313.8 µA = 941.5 µA

Base resistor

RB = (5 − 0.7)/IB = 4.3 V/0.9415 mA = 4.567 kΩ

Answer

RB = 4.567 kΩ
3.Op-amp circuits

Answer: Vout = 1.6 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.

Inverting input follows the input

V₋ = V₊ = 0.8 V
I = V₋/R1 = 0.8/22 = 0.03636 mA

Output voltage

The current through R₁ also flows through Rf.

Vout = V₋ + I·Rf = 0.8 + 0.03636·22 = 1.6 V

Answer

Vout = 1.6 V
4.Op-amp circuits

Answer: t = 1249 ms

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.

Input current and ramp rate

kΩ times µF gives milliseconds.

RC = 47 kΩ · 4.7 µF = 220.9 ms
ramp rate = −Vin/(RC) = −2.3/220.9 = −0.01041 V/ms

Time to saturation

|Vin|·t/(RC) = Vsat → t = Vsat·RC/|Vin| = 13·220.9/2.3 = 1249 ms

Answer

t = 1249 ms
5.RC & RL transients

Answer: t = 0.2773 ms

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

τ = L/R = 10 mH / 50 Ω = 0.2 ms

Solve for the time

0.125 = 0.5·e−t/τ → t = τ·ln(0.5/0.125)
t = 0.2·ln(4) = 0.2773 ms

Answer

t = 0.2773 ms
6.RC & RL transients

Answer: R = 144.3 kΩ

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.

Required time constant

3.75 = 5·(1 − e−200/τ) → τ = 200/ln(5/(5 − 3.75))
τ = 200/1.386 = 144.3 ms

Resistance

kΩ times µF gives milliseconds.

R = τ/C = 144.3/1 = 144.3 kΩ

Answer

R = 144.3 kΩ
7.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: IR1 = 0.4473 A

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.

R1​ = 15 ΩR3​ = 4 Ω+−V1​10 VR2​12 ΩAR4​15 ΩB

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 = 4 + 15 = 19 Ω
R2 ∥ 19 = 12·19/(12+19) = 7.355 Ω
Req = R1 + 7.355 = 15 + 7.355 = 22.35 Ω

Current from the source

The source sees only Req, so Ohm’s law gives the current it delivers. That current flows through R₁.

IR1 = V1/Req = 10/22.35 = 0.4473 A

Answer

IR1 = 0.4473 A
8.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: IR1 = 0.4107 A

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.

R1​ = 30 ΩR3​ = 10 ΩR5​ = 10 Ω+−V1​15 VR2​12 ΩAR4​5 ΩBR6​20 Ω

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 = 10 + 20 = 30 Ω
R4 ∥ 30 = 4.286 Ω
R3 + 4.286 = 14.29 Ω
R2 ∥ 14.29 = 6.522 Ω
Req = R1 + 6.522 = 30 + 6.522 = 36.52 Ω

Current from the source

The source sees only Req, so Ohm’s law gives the current it delivers. That current flows through R₁.

IR1 = V1/Req = 15/36.52 = 0.4107 A

Answer

IR1 = 0.4107 A
9.DC-DC converters

Answer: Imax = 3.825 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 = 18/36 = 0.5

Average and ripple current

Io = 18/5 = 3.6 A
ΔIL = VL·D/(L·f) = 18·0.5/(100·10⁻⁶·200·10³) = 0.45 A

Peak current

Imax = 3.6 + 0.45/2 = 3.825 A

Answer

Imax = 3.825 A
10.DC-DC converters

Answer: Lcrit = 5.859 µH

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 − 12/48 = 0.75

Boundary condition

Set the average inductor current equal to half the ripple current and solve for L.

Lcrit = D(1 − D)²·R/(2f)

Critical inductance

Lcrit = 0.75(1 − 0.75)²·25/(2100·10³) = 5.859 µH

Answer

Lcrit = 5.859 µH
11.Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges

Answer: Pg = 31.25 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 = 5/2 = 2.5 V

Power

Pg = 2.5²/200 = 31.25 mW

Answer

Pg = 31.25 mW
12.Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges

Answer: σ = 132 MPa

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.

Strain

ε = 4·0.001537/(2.5·2.05) = 0.0012

Stress

σ = 110·10³ MPa·0.0012 = 132 MPa

Answer

σ = 132 MPa
13.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flops

Answer: L = 10

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.

ABCD000111100001111000010302041507161121130150140809011010

Group the 1s

Every group is a rectangle of 2ᵏ cells; edge cells are neighbours of the cells on the opposite edge.

BC′D
ABC′
A′BCD′

Minimal SOP form

F = BC′D + ABC′ + A′BCD′
L = 10

Answer

L = 10
14.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flops

Answer: N = 5

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.

B′CD′, BC′D′, BCD, A′D′, A′C, A′B
ABCD00011110000111101001X3X21415171611201311501408X9011110

Minimal cover

F = B′CD′ + BC′D′ + BCD + A′D′ + A′B
N = 5

Answer

N = 5

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