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​ = 2.2 kΩβ = 100VCC​ = 9 VRB​ = 560 kΩ

An NPN transistor with β = 100 is biased by a base resistor RB = 560 kΩ from the supply VCC = 9 V. The collector resistor is RC = 2.2 kΩ and the emitter is grounded. Take VBE = 0.7 V and assume the transistor is in the active region. Find the collector–emitter voltage VCE.

VCC = 9 VRB = 560 kΩRC = 2.2 kΩβ = 100VBE = 0.7 V
VCE = V
2.Diodes & transistorsHard
RC​ = 1 kΩβ = 50VCC​ = 24 V3.3 VRB​ = ?

An NPN transistor with β = 50 switches a 1 kΩ load resistor connected between VCC = 24 V and its collector. The emitter is grounded. The base is driven from a 3.3 V logic output through a base resistor RB. Take VBE = 0.7 V and VCE(sat) = 0.2 V. Find the largest base resistor RB, in kΩ, that still drives the transistor just into saturation.

VCC = 24 VRC = 1 kΩβ = 50Vin = 3.3 VVBE = 0.7 VVCE(sat) = 0.2 V
RB = kΩ
3.Op-amp circuitsMedium
−+Vout​Rf​ = 10 kΩR1​ = 10 kΩVin​ = −1.5 VRa​ = 1 kΩRb​ = 1 kΩ

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

Vin = −1.5 VRa = 1 kΩRb = 1 kΩR1 = 10 kΩRf = 10 kΩ
Vout = V
4.Op-amp circuitsHard
−+Vout​Rf​ = 47 kΩV1​ = 0.8 VR1​ = 47 kΩV2​ = 0.7 VR2​ = 22 kΩIf​

The summing amplifier uses an ideal op-amp with ±15 V supplies. Find the current If through the feedback resistor, flowing towards the output.

V1 = 0.8 VV2 = 0.7 VR1 = 47 kΩR2 = 22 kΩRf = 47 kΩ
If = mA
5.RC & RL transientsMedium
+−Vs​15 Vt = 0R = 47 ΩL22 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 = 15 VR = 47 ΩL = 22 mHt = 1 ms
W = mJ
6.RC & RL transientsHard
+−Vs​15 VR1​ = 22 ΩR2​ = 47 Ωcloses at t = 0L100 mHi(t)

The switch across R2 has been open for a long time, so the inductor current is steady. At t = 0 the switch closes and shorts out R2. Find the inductor current i at t = 5 ms.

Vs = 15 VR1 = 22 ΩR2 = 47 ΩL = 100 mHt = 5 ms
i = A
7.Series & parallel resistorsMedium
R1​ = 10 ΩR3​ = 4 Ω+−V1​6 VR2​15 ΩAR4​20 ΩB

Find the equivalent resistance Req seen by the source V1.

V1 = 6 VR1 = 10 ΩR2 = 15 ΩR3 = 4 ΩR4 = 20 Ω
Req = Ω
8.Series & parallel resistorsHard
R1​ = 15 ΩR3​ = 10 ΩR5​ = 2 Ω+−V1​18 VR2​3 ΩAR4​6 ΩBR6​10 Ω

Find the equivalent resistance Req seen by the source V1.

V1 = 18 VR1 = 15 ΩR2 = 3 ΩR3 = 10 ΩR4 = 6 ΩR5 = 2 ΩR6 = 10 Ω
Req = Ω
9.DC-DC convertersMedium
+−24 VLSCR = 2.5 Ω+−48 V

An ideal boost converter turns 24 V into 48 V for a 2.5 Ω load. Find the average inductor current IL.

Vin​ = 24 VVo​ = 48 VR = 2.5 Ω
IL = A
10.DC-DC convertersHard
+−15 VLSC = 10 µFR = 25 Ω+−50 V

An ideal boost converter turns 15 V into 50 V for a 25 Ω load at 100 kHz. The output capacitor is 10 µF. Find the peak-to-peak output voltage ripple ΔVo in mV.

Vin​ = 15 VVo​ = 50 Vf = 100 kHzC = 10 µFR = 25 Ω
ΔVo = mV
11.Wheatstone bridge & strain gaugesMedium
+−9 V250 Ω250 Ω + ΔR250 Ω250 Ωab+−Vab​ = ?

A bridge has four 250 Ω arms and Vs = 9 V. The sensor R₂ increases by ΔR = 1 Ω. Using the small-change approximation, find the output Vab in mV.

Vs = 9 VR = 250 ΩΔR = 1 Ω
Vab = mV
12.Wheatstone bridge & strain gaugesHard
+−5 V350 Ω − ΔR350 Ω + ΔR350 Ω + ΔR350 Ω − ΔRab+−Vo​ = ?

A load cell (a full bridge of strain gauges) has a rated output of 2 mV/V at its rated load of 200 kg. It is excited with 5 V. Find its output Vo under a load of 160 kg.

2 mV/VFrated = 200 kgVs = 5 VF = 160 kg
Vo = mV
13.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flopsMedium
ABCD000111100001111000011302140517160121131151140809011010

Use the Karnaugh map to find the minimal product-of-sums (POS) form of F(A, B, C, D) = Σm(3, 4, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15). How many sum terms (factors) N does it have?

F(A, B, C, D) = Σm(3, 4, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15)
N =
14.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flopsHard
CLKJK12345678

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
  8. 8clock edge 8

3Solutions

1.Diodes & transistors

Answer: VCE = 5.739 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.

Base current

IB = (VCC − VBE)/RB = (9 − 0.7)/560 kΩ = 14.82 µA

Collector current

IC = β·IB = 100·14.82 µA = 1.482 mA

Collector–emitter voltage

VCE = 9 − 1.482 mA·2.2 kΩ = 5.739 V

Answer

VCE = 5.739 V
2.Diodes & transistors

Answer: RB = 5.462 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) = (24 − 0.2)/1000 = 23.8 mA

Minimum base current

IB(min) = IC(sat)/β = 23.8/50 = 476 µA

Base resistor

RB = (3.3 − 0.7)/IB = 2.6 V/0.476 mA = 5.462 kΩ

Answer

RB = 5.462 kΩ

Any smaller base resistor also saturates the transistor; in practice you pick one a few times smaller.

3.Op-amp circuits

Answer: Vout = −1.5 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) = −1.5·1/(1 + 1) = −0.75 V

Non-inverting gain

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

Vout = V₊·(1 + Rf/R1) = −0.75·(1 + 10/10) = −1.5 V

Answer

Vout = −1.5 V
4.Op-amp circuits

Answer: If = 0.04884 mA

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 = 0.8/47 = 0.01702 mA
I2 = V2/R2 = 0.7/22 = 0.03182 mA
If = I1 + I2 = 0.04884 mA

Answer

If = 0.04884 mA
5.RC & RL transients

Answer: W = 0.8714 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 / 47 Ω = 0.4681 ms
i(∞) = Vs/R = 15/47 = 0.3191 A

Current at the given time

i(t) = 0.3191·(1 − e−1/0.4681) = 0.2815 A

Stored energy

W = ½·L·i² = ½·22·0.2815² = 0.8714 mJ

Answer

W = 0.8714 mJ
6.RC & RL transients

Answer: i = 0.5272 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.

Initial value, final value, time constant

Before t = 0 both resistors are in the loop; afterwards the closed switch bypasses R₂.

i(0) = 15/(22 + 47) = 0.2174 A
i(∞) = 15/22 = 0.6818 A
τ = L/R = 100/22 = 4.545 ms
i(t) = 0.6818 + (0.2174 − 0.6818)·e−t/τ

Current at the given time

i(5) = 0.6818 + (−0.4644)·e−5/4.545 = 0.5272 A

Answer

i = 0.5272 A
7.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: Req = 19.23 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​ = 10 ΩR3​ = 4 Ω+−V1​6 VR2​15 ΩAR4​20 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 + 20 = 24 Ω
R2 ∥ 24 = 15·24/(15+24) = 9.231 Ω
Req = R1 + 9.231 = 10 + 9.231 = 19.23 Ω

Answer

Req = 19.23 Ω
8.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: Req = 17.47 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​ = 15 ΩR3​ = 10 ΩR5​ = 2 Ω+−V1​18 VR2​3 ΩAR4​6 ΩBR6​10 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 + 10 = 12 Ω
R4 ∥ 12 = 4 Ω
R3 + 4 = 14 Ω
R2 ∥ 14 = 2.471 Ω
Req = R1 + 2.471 = 15 + 2.471 = 17.47 Ω

Answer

Req = 17.47 Ω
9.DC-DC converters

Answer: IL = 38.4 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 = 1 − 24/48 = 0.5

Load current

Io = 48/2.5 = 19.2 A

Inductor current

IL = Io/(1 − D) = 19.2/0.5 = 38.4 A

Answer

IL = 38.4 A
10.DC-DC converters

Answer: ΔVo = 1400 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 − 15/50 = 0.7

Load current

Io = 50/25 = 2 A

Output ripple

ΔVo = 2·0.7/(100·10³·10·10⁻⁶) = 1400 mV

Answer

ΔVo = 1400 mV
11.Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges

Answer: Vab = 9 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.

Relative change

ΔR/R = 1/250 = 0.004

Linearised output

Vab ≈ 9·0.004/4 = 9 mV

Answer

Vab = 9 mV

The exact value is 8.982 mV; the approximation is good while ΔR/R is small.

12.Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges

Answer: Vo = 8 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.

Full-scale output

2·5 = 10 mV

Output at this load

Vo = 10·160/200 = 8 mV

Answer

Vo = 8 mV
13.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flops

Answer: N = 4

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.

ABCD000111100001111000011302140517160121131151140809011010

Group the 0s

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

(B + D)
(A + C + D′)
(A′ + C + D)
(A′ + B)

Minimal POS form

F = (B + D)(A + C + D′)(A′ + C + D)(A′ + B)
N = 4

Answer

N = 4
14.Digital logic: gates, K-maps & flip-flops

Answer: clock edge 7

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

First change from 1 to 0

clock edge 7

Answer

clock edge 7

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