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
RC​ = 2.7 kΩβ = 100RE​ = 1.2 kΩVCC​ = 20 VR1​ = 56 kΩR2​ = 8.2 kΩ

An NPN transistor with β = 100 has voltage-divider bias from VCC = 20 V: R₁ = 56 kΩ from VCC to the base and R₂ = 8.2 kΩ from the base to ground. The collector resistor is RC = 2.7 kΩ and the emitter resistor is RE = 1.2 kΩ. Take VBE = 0.7 V and use the Thévenin equivalent of the divider (do not neglect the base current). Find the collector–emitter voltage VCE.

VCC = 20 VR1 = 56 kΩR2 = 8.2 kΩRC = 2.7 kΩRE = 1.2 kΩβ = 100
VCE = V
2.Diodes & transistorsHard
V (V)I (mA)0.6510.64Q = ?

A diode is modelled as 0.6 V in series with 10 Ω (it conducts above 0.6 V). It is in series with a 470 Ω resistor across a 5 V supply. Find the operating current ID where the diode line meets the load line.

Vs = 5 VR = 470 ΩV0 = 0.6 Vrd = 10 Ω
ID = mA
3.Op-amp circuitsMedium
−+Vout​Rf​ = 4.7 kΩR1​ = 2 kΩVin​

The op-amp is ideal and runs from ±15 V supplies; its output saturates at ±14 V. The non-inverting amplifier is driven by a sine wave. Find the largest input amplitude Vin,max (peak value) for which the output does not clip.

R1 = 2 kΩRf = 4.7 kΩVsat = ±14 V
Vin,max = V
4.Op-amp circuitsHard
Vin​V1​Vout​stage 1: invertingR1​ = 4.7 kΩRf1​ = 22 kΩstage 2: non-invertingR2​ = 10 kΩRf2​ = 1 kΩ

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 = −0.1 V. Find the output voltage Vout.

R1 = 4.7 kΩRf1 = 22 kΩR2 = 10 kΩRf2 = 1 kΩVin = −0.1 V
Vout = V
5.RC & RL transientsMedium
R = 10 Ωt = 0L68 mHi(t)

The inductor carries a steady current of 2.5 A. At t = 0 the switch closes the loop through R and the source is removed, so the inductor current decays through R. Find the current i at t = 20 ms.

i(0) = 2.5 AR = 10 ΩL = 68 mHt = 20 ms
i = A
6.RC & RL transientsHard
+−Vs​15 Vt = 0R = ?C4.7 µF+−vC​

A timer starts charging an uncharged capacitor through a resistor from a 15 V supply at t = 0. It must trigger when the capacitor voltage reaches 7.5 V, exactly 1000 ms after the start. With C = 4.7 µF, find the resistance R needed.

Vs = 15 VVth = 7.5 VT = 1000 msC = 4.7 µF
R = kΩ
7.Series & parallel resistorsMedium
R1​ = 10 ΩR3​ = 6 Ω+−V1​18 VR2​15 ΩIR2​AR4​2 ΩB

Find the current IR2 through R2.

V1 = 18 VR1 = 10 ΩR2 = 15 ΩR3 = 6 ΩR4 = 2 Ω
IR2 = A
8.Series & parallel resistorsHard
R1​ = 10 ΩR3​ = 30 ΩR5​ = 2 Ω+−V1​9 VR2​20 ΩIR2​AR4​25 ΩBR6​20 Ω

Find the current IR2 through R2.

V1 = 9 VR1 = 10 ΩR2 = 20 ΩR3 = 30 ΩR4 = 25 ΩR5 = 2 ΩR6 = 20 Ω
IR2 = A
9.DC-DC convertersMedium
tiL​Imax​Imin​ΔI = ?DTT2T

An ideal inverting buck-boost converter turns 12 V into −28 V at 500 kHz with L = 150 µH. Find the peak-to-peak inductor ripple current ΔIL.

Vin​ = 12 VVo​ = −28 Vf = 500 kHzL = 150 µH
ΔIL = A
10.DC-DC convertersHard
+−9 VLSC = 470 µFR = 8 Ω+−30 V

An ideal boost converter turns 9 V into 30 V for an 8 Ω load at 100 kHz. The output capacitor is 470 µF. Find the peak-to-peak output voltage ripple ΔVo in mV.

Vin​ = 9 VVo​ = 30 Vf = 100 kHzC = 470 µFR = 8 Ω
ΔVo = mV
11.Wheatstone bridge & strain gaugesMedium
+−3 V120 Ω120 Ω120 Ω120 Ωab+−

A 120 Ω strain gauge is one arm (R₂) of a bridge with four equal 120 Ω arms and an excitation of 3 V. Find the power Pg dissipated in the gauge, in mW. Self-heating limits the excitation.

Vs = 3 VR = 120 Ω
Pg = mW
12.Wheatstone bridge & strain gaugesHard
+−5 V350 Ω − ΔR350 Ω + ΔR350 Ω350 Ωab+−Vo​ = ?

A bridge with 350 Ω arms is excited with 5 V and has two active gauges in adjacent arms, one in tension and one in compression (half bridge). The gauge factor is 2 and the strain is 500 µε. Find the bridge output Vo in mV.

Vs = 5 VGF = 2ε = 500 µε
Vo = mV
13.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flopsMedium
ABCD0001111000011110111111

In this Karnaugh map exactly one 1 has no neighbouring 1, so it stays a group of one cell (a full minterm of four literals) in the minimal SOP form. Neighbours across the map edges count. Click that cell.

F = Σm(1, 2, 3, 8, 11, 15)
  1. 1AB = 00, CD = 00
  2. 2AB = 00, CD = 01
  3. 3AB = 00, CD = 11
  4. 4AB = 00, CD = 10
  5. 5AB = 01, CD = 00
  6. 6AB = 01, CD = 01
  7. 7AB = 01, CD = 11
  8. 8AB = 01, CD = 10
  9. 9AB = 11, CD = 00
  10. 10AB = 11, CD = 01
  11. 11AB = 11, CD = 11
  12. 12AB = 11, CD = 10
  13. 13AB = 10, CD = 00
  14. 14AB = 10, CD = 01
  15. 15AB = 10, CD = 11
  16. 16AB = 10, CD = 10
14.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flopsHard
ABCD00011110000111100011X3X2040507060120130150141819111110

Find the minimal SOP form of F(A, B, C, D) = Σm(1, 8, 9, 10, 11) + d(2, 3), where d marks the don't-care conditions. How many product terms N does it have?

F(A, B, C, D) = Σm(1, 8, 9, 10, 11) + d(2, 3)
N =

3Solutions

1.Diodes & transistors

Answer: VCE = 14.35 V

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 = 20·8.2/(56 + 8.2) = 2.555 V
RTH = 56·8.2/(56 + 8.2) = 7.153 kΩ

Base current

KVL around the base loop; the emitter current is (β + 1)·IB.

IB = (2.555 − 0.7)/(7.153 + 101·1.2) = 14.45 µA

Collector current

IC = 100·14.45 µA = 1.445 mA
IE = 101·14.45 µA = 1.459 mA

Collector–emitter voltage

VCE = 20 − 1.445·2.7 − 1.459·1.2 = 14.35 V

Answer

VCE = 14.35 V
2.Diodes & transistors

Answer: ID = 9.167 mA

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).

Combine the two equations

5 = 0.6 + I·(470 + 10)

Operating current

ID = 4.4/480 = 9.167 mA
VD = 0.6 + 0.009167·10 = 0.6917 V

Answer

ID = 9.167 mA
3.Op-amp circuits

Answer: Vin,max = 4.179 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

Av = 1 + Rf/R1 = 1 + 4.7/2 = 3.35

Largest input before clipping

Vin,max = Vsat/|Av| = 14/3.35 = 4.179 V

Answer

Vin,max = 4.179 V
4.Op-amp circuits

Answer: Vout = 0.5149 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 = −22/4.7 = −4.681
A2 = 1 + Rf2/R2 = 1 + 1/10 = 1.1

Stage by stage

V1 = −4.681·(−0.1) = 0.4681 V
Vout = 1.1·0.4681 = 0.5149 V

Answer

Vout = 0.5149 V
5.RC & RL transients

Answer: i = 0.132 A

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 = 68 mH / 10 Ω = 6.8 ms

Decay of the current

i(t) = 2.5·e−20/6.8 = 0.132 A

Answer

i = 0.132 A
6.RC & RL transients

Answer: R = 307 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

7.5 = 15·(1 − e−1000/τ) → τ = 1000/ln(15/(15 − 7.5))
τ = 1000/0.6931 = 1443 ms

Resistance

kΩ times µF gives milliseconds.

R = τ/C = 1443/4.7 = 307 kΩ

Answer

R = 307 kΩ
7.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: IR2 = 0.4114 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​ = 10 ΩR3​ = 6 Ω+−V1​18 VR2​15 ΩAR4​2 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 = 6 + 2 = 8 Ω
R2 ∥ 8 = 15·8/(15+8) = 5.217 Ω
Req = R1 + 5.217 = 10 + 5.217 = 15.22 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 = 18/15.22 = 1.183 A

Current through R₂

Subtract the drop across R₁ to get the voltage at node A, which is the voltage across R₂.

VA = V1 − IR1·R1 = 18 − 1.183·10 = 6.171 V
IR2 = VA/R2 = 6.171/15 = 0.4114 A

Answer

IR2 = 0.4114 A
8.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: IR2 = 0.2587 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​ = 10 ΩR3​ = 30 ΩR5​ = 2 Ω+−V1​9 VR2​20 ΩAR4​25 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 = 2 + 20 = 22 Ω
R4 ∥ 22 = 11.7 Ω
R3 + 11.7 = 41.7 Ω
R2 ∥ 41.7 = 13.52 Ω
Req = R1 + 13.52 = 10 + 13.52 = 23.52 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 = 9/23.52 = 0.3827 A

Current through R₂

Subtract the drop across R₁ to get the voltage at node A, which is the voltage across R₂.

VA = V1 − IR1·R1 = 9 − 0.3827·10 = 5.173 V
IR2 = VA/R2 = 5.173/20 = 0.2587 A

Answer

IR2 = 0.2587 A
9.DC-DC converters

Answer: ΔIL = 0.112 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/(150·10⁻⁶·500·10³) = 0.112 A

Answer

ΔIL = 0.112 A
10.DC-DC converters

Answer: ΔVo = 55.85 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 − 9/30 = 0.7

Load current

Io = 30/8 = 3.75 A

Output ripple

ΔVo = 3.75·0.7/(100·10³·470·10⁻⁶) = 55.85 mV

Answer

ΔVo = 55.85 mV
11.Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges

Answer: Pg = 18.75 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 = 3/2 = 1.5 V

Power

Pg = 1.5²/120 = 18.75 mW

Answer

Pg = 18.75 mW
12.Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges

Answer: Vo = 2.5 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 = 2·500·10⁻⁶ = 0.001

Bridge output

Vo = Vs·GF·ε/2 = 5·0.001/2 = 2.5 mV

Answer

Vo = 2.5 mV
13.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flops

Answer: AB = 10, CD = 00

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.

Neighbours of each 1

A 1 with a neighbouring 1 can join a group of two or more.

m8: m9, m10, m12, m0 → 0
ABCD0001111000011110111111

The isolated 1

m8 = AB′C′D′ → AB = 10, CD = 00

Answer

AB = 10, CD = 00
14.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.

Prime implicants

The largest groups that can be formed from 1s and Xs.

B′D, B′C, AB′
ABCD00011110000111100011X3X2040507060120130150141819111110

Minimal cover

F = B′D + AB′
N = 2

Answer

N = 2

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