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​ = 1 kΩβ = 80RE​ = 680 ΩVCC​ = 20 VR1​ = 56 kΩR2​ = 22 kΩ

An NPN transistor with β = 80 has voltage-divider bias from VCC = 20 V: R₁ = 56 kΩ from VCC to the base and R₂ = 22 kΩ from the base to ground. The collector resistor is RC = 1 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–emitter voltage VCE.

VCC = 20 VR1 = 56 kΩR2 = 22 kΩRC = 1 kΩRE = 680 Ωβ = 80
VCE = V
2.Diodes & transistorsHard
+−≤ 24 V680 Ω6.2 V

A 6.2 V Zener regulator has a 680 Ω series resistor. The input can rise to 24 V, and the load may be disconnected. Find the largest power PZ,max the Zener must dissipate.

Vin,max = 24 VVZ = 6.2 VR = 680 Ω
PZ,max = mW
3.Op-amp circuitsMedium
−+Vout​Rf​ = 2 kΩR1​ = 2 kΩVin​ = 5 VRa​ = 2 kΩRb​ = 100 kΩ

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

Vin = 5 VRa = 2 kΩRb = 100 kΩR1 = 2 kΩRf = 2 kΩ
Vout = V
4.Op-amp circuitsHard
−+Vout​Rf​ = 4.7 kΩV1​ = 1.1 VR1​ = 1 kΩV2​ = 0.7 VR2​ = 47 kΩ

The summing amplifier uses an ideal op-amp with ±15 V supplies. Find the output voltage Vout.

V1 = 1.1 VV2 = 0.7 VR1 = 1 kΩR2 = 47 kΩRf = 4.7 kΩ
Vout = V
5.RC & RL transientsMedium
+−Vs​24 Vt = 0R = 15 ΩL10 mHi(t)

The inductor carries no current before the switch closes at t = 0. Find the energy W stored in the inductor at t = 1 ms, in mJ.

Vs = 24 VR = 15 ΩL = 10 mHt = 1 ms
W = mJ
6.RC & RL transientsHard
+−Vs​15 Vt = 0R = ?C100 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 11.25 V, exactly 1000 ms after the start. With C = 100 µF, find the resistance R needed.

Vs = 15 VVth = 11.25 VT = 1000 msC = 100 µF
R = kΩ
7.Series & parallel resistorsMedium
R1​ = 3 ΩR3​ = 10 Ω+−V1​24 VR2​5 ΩAR4​4 ΩB

Find the equivalent resistance Req seen by the source V1.

V1 = 24 VR1 = 3 ΩR2 = 5 ΩR3 = 10 ΩR4 = 4 Ω
Req = Ω
8.Series & parallel resistorsHard
R1​ = 2 ΩR3​ = 2 ΩR5​ = 15 Ω+−V1​6 VR2​15 ΩAR4​4 ΩBR6​15 Ω

Find the equivalent resistance Req seen by the source V1.

V1 = 6 VR1 = 2 ΩR2 = 15 ΩR3 = 2 ΩR4 = 4 ΩR5 = 15 ΩR6 = 15 Ω
Req = Ω
9.DC-DC convertersMedium
tiL​Imax​Imin​ΔI = ?DTT2T

An ideal buck converter turns 24 V into 9.6 V at 25 kHz with L = 330 µH. Find the peak-to-peak inductor ripple current ΔIL.

Vin​ = 24 VVo​ = 9.6 Vf = 25 kHzL = 330 µH
ΔIL = A
10.DC-DC convertersHard
tiL​Imax​IL​DTT2T

An ideal inverting buck-boost converter turns 48 V into −112 V for a 4 Ω load at 100 kHz. Find the smallest inductance Lcrit for continuous conduction.

Vin​ = 48 VVo​ = −112 Vf = 100 kHzR = 4 Ω
Lcrit = µH
11.Wheatstone bridge & strain gaugesMedium
+−2 V200 Ω200 Ω + ΔR200 Ω200 Ωab+−Vab​ = ?

A bridge has four 200 Ω arms and Vs = 2 V. The sensor R₂ increases by ΔR = 50 Ω. Find the exact output Vab in mV.

Vs = 2 VR = 200 ΩΔR = 50 Ω
Vab = mV
12.Wheatstone bridge & strain gaugesHard
+−5 V350 Ω350 Ω + ΔR350 Ω350 Ωab+−2 mV

A strain gauge (GF = 2) on a member with E = 70 GPa forms a quarter bridge excited with 5 V. The output reads 2 mV. Find the axial stress σ in MPa.

Vs = 5 VGF = 2Vo = 2 mVE = 70 GPa
σ = MPa
13.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flopsMedium
ABCD000111100001111000110312041507060120131150141819111110

Use the Karnaugh map to find the minimal sum-of-products (SOP) form of F(A, B, C, D) = Σm(1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15). How many literals L does it contain in total (a primed variable counts as one literal)?

F(A, B, C, D) = Σm(1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15)
L =
14.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flopsHard
CLKJK1234567

A positive-edge-triggered JK flip-flop starts with Q = 0 and receives the inputs shown. Click the first clock edge at which Q goes from 1 back to 0.

Q₀ = 0JK
  1. 1clock edge 1
  2. 2clock edge 2
  3. 3clock edge 3
  4. 4clock edge 4
  5. 5clock edge 5
  6. 6clock edge 6
  7. 7clock edge 7

3Solutions

1.Diodes & transistors

Answer: VCE = 10.58 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 = 20·22/(56 + 22) = 5.641 V
RTH = 56·22/(56 + 22) = 15.79 kΩ

Base current

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

IB = (5.641 − 0.7)/(15.79 + 81·0.68) = 69.71 µA

Collector current

IC = 80·69.71 µA = 5.577 mA
IE = 81·69.71 µA = 5.647 mA

Collector–emitter voltage

VCE = 20 − 5.577·1 − 5.647·0.68 = 10.58 V

Answer

VCE = 10.58 V
2.Diodes & transistors

Answer: PZ,max = 162.3 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 = 17.8/680 = 26.18 mA

Zener power

PZ = 6.2·26.18 = 162.3 mW

Answer

PZ,max = 162.3 mW
3.Op-amp circuits

Answer: Vout = 9.804 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 + input

V₊ = Vin·Rb/(Ra + Rb) = 5·100/(2 + 100) = 4.902 V

Non-inverting gain

V₋ = V₊, and the current through R₁ also flows through Rf.

Vout = V₊·(1 + Rf/R1) = 4.902·(1 + 2/2) = 9.804 V

Answer

Vout = 9.804 V
4.Op-amp circuits

Answer: Vout = −5.24 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.

Input currents

V₋ = 0, so each input resistor has its full input voltage across it.

I1 = V1/R1 = 1.1/1 = 1.1 mA
I2 = V2/R2 = 0.7/47 = 0.01489 mA
If = I1 + I2 = 1.115 mA

Output voltage

Vout = −Rf·If = −4.7·1.115 = −5.24 V

Answer

Vout = −5.24 V
5.RC & RL transients

Answer: W = 7.725 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 = 10 mH / 15 Ω = 0.6667 ms
i(∞) = Vs/R = 24/15 = 1.6 A

Current at the given time

i(t) = 1.6·(1 − e−1/0.6667) = 1.243 A

Stored energy

W = ½·L·i² = ½·10·1.243² = 7.725 mJ

Answer

W = 7.725 mJ
6.RC & RL transients

Answer: R = 7.213 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

11.25 = 15·(1 − e−1000/τ) → τ = 1000/ln(15/(15 − 11.25))
τ = 1000/1.386 = 721.3 ms

Resistance

kΩ times µF gives milliseconds.

R = τ/C = 721.3/100 = 7.213 kΩ

Answer

R = 7.213 kΩ
7.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: Req = 6.684 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.

R1​ = 3 ΩR3​ = 10 Ω+−V1​24 VR2​5 ΩAR4​4 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 = 10 + 4 = 14 Ω
R2 ∥ 14 = 5·14/(5+14) = 3.684 Ω
Req = R1 + 3.684 = 3 + 3.684 = 6.684 Ω

Answer

Req = 6.684 Ω
8.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: Req = 6.04 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.

R1​ = 2 ΩR3​ = 2 ΩR5​ = 15 Ω+−V1​6 VR2​15 ΩAR4​4 ΩBR6​15 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 = 15 + 15 = 30 Ω
R4 ∥ 30 = 3.529 Ω
R3 + 3.529 = 5.529 Ω
R2 ∥ 5.529 = 4.04 Ω
Req = R1 + 4.04 = 2 + 4.04 = 6.04 Ω

Answer

Req = 6.04 Ω
9.DC-DC converters

Answer: ΔIL = 0.6982 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 = 9.6/24 = 0.4

Inductor voltage during the on-time

While S is on, the inductor sits between Vin and Vo.

VL = 24 − 9.6 = 14.4 V

Ripple current

ΔIL = VL·D/(L·f) = 14.4·0.4/(330·10⁻⁶·25·10³) = 0.6982 A

Answer

ΔIL = 0.6982 A
10.DC-DC converters

Answer: Lcrit = 1.8 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 = 112/(48 + 112) = 0.7

Boundary condition

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

Lcrit = (1 − D)²·R/(2f)

Critical inductance

Lcrit = (1 − 0.7)²·4/(2100·10³) = 1.8 µH

Answer

Lcrit = 1.8 µH
11.Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges

Answer: Vab = 111.1 mV

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.

Node voltages

Va = 2·250/450 = 1.111 V
Vb = 1 V

Output

Vab = 111.1 mV

Answer

Vab = 111.1 mV

The linear estimate Vs·ΔR/(4R) = 125 mV is 12.5 % too high: a quarter bridge is not quite linear.

12.Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges

Answer: σ = 56 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 = 4·0.002/(5·2) = 0.0008

Stress

σ = 70·10³ MPa·0.0008 = 56 MPa

Answer

σ = 56 MPa
13.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flops

Answer: L = 11

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.

ABCD000111100001111000110312041507060120131150141819111110

Group the 1s

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

B′CD′
A′C′D
ACD
AB′

Minimal SOP form

F = B′CD′ + A′C′D + ACD + AB′
L = 11

Answer

L = 11
14.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flops

Answer: clock edge 3

Flip-flops and counters: a flip-flop changes only at the active clock edge. D copies its input (Q⁺ = D); T toggles when T = 1; JK holds for 00, resets for 01, sets for 10 and toggles for 11. An n-bit binary counter has 2ⁿ states and counts modulo 2ⁿ; a mod-N counter goes 0, 1, …, N − 1 and back to 0, and needs the smallest n with 2ⁿ ≥ N flip-flops. Each stage of a ripple counter halves the frequency, so the last output of a mod-N counter runs at fclk/N. A Johnson counter of n flip-flops has 2n states, a ring counter n.

Q after every edge

A JK flip-flop: 00 holds, 01 resets (Q = 0), 10 sets (Q = 1), 11 toggles.

1: J = 1, K = 0 → Q = 1
2: J = 0, K = 0 → Q = 1
3: J = 0, K = 1 → Q = 0
4: J = 1, K = 0 → Q = 1
5: J = 1, K = 0 → Q = 1
6: J = 1, K = 0 → Q = 1
7: J = 1, K = 0 → Q = 1

First change from 1 to 0

clock edge 3

Answer

clock edge 3

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