KD6025 - Design and Manufacturing Analysis

What will I learn on this module?

This module aims to provide you with an analytical approach to the issues around both the design and manufacturing of electronic or electrical products. In this respect you have two clear sections, linked by an analysis approach to determine functionality within the bounds of manufacturability.

Design Analysis
• Operational amplifier construction with a view to component reduction and therefore performance degradation. Analysis is therefore required to pinpoint the performance of sub-optimal designs with suitable engineering compromises being found.
• Differential amplifier structures as applied to Instrumentation design, is explored with mathematical rigor to establish their fundamental performance limits.
• Circuit design (typically filters) with consideration of the circuit performance when non-ideal components are used.
• Other complex analysis methods are introduced including: Sensitivity analysis, Tolerance analysis, and Monticarlo analysis.

Manufacturing Analysis
1. Electronics Manufacturing Yield - the performance of electronic yield predictions, with typical examples provided from Integrated Circuit Manufacture.
2. Reliability in Electronics Manufacturing - electronic reliability under the factors of cost, performance availability
3. Waste Management in Electronic Components - green electronic issues and legislation which affect both electronic product design and
manufacturing aspects,
4. Lean Manufacturing - in manufacturing technology illustrating the philosophy of lean manufacturing

How will I learn on this module?

You are taught in this module via a combination of lectures, seminars, directed and independent learning. Your lectures will follow an integrated approach to learning with informal discussion on related topics to the delivered content, followed by suitable problems in the seminar session. Much of the knowledge required for this module is grounded on earlier topics, taken to a more complex level.
Furthermore, the use of videos will be integrated into the content to provide additional support for recapping content or learning at an individual’s own pace.
You are also required to carry out directed studies (typically of a research paper) in addition to material placed on eLP (blackboard) which will be assessed.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You are supported in the delivery of this module using both Lectures and Seminars. Your lectures and seminars therefore provide the key academic support to the module. Seminars, supported by staff provide you with an opportunity for problem solving and case study exploration. You are expected to make a contribution in such seminar sessions to enhance your learning through discussion and debate. Seminars aim to form this rich dialogue form an explanation of commentary as to the engineering solutions to design and manufacturing problems.
The most appropriate use of blackboard (online platform) is made in your learning where the module taught content is provided along with links to both the reading list support, relevant professional body related web sites showing relation of the theory to the industrial context of the module.
Additionally we support your learning using technology provided in this module in the form of integrated videos. These provide support for the development of key skills in using software tools (for example OrCAD) and some support in some mathematically tricky derivations or circuit theory examples such that you can observe not only the problem but the process and the thinking behind the examples.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Predict manufacturing yields by structured methods;
AHEP4 C14,M14
2. Understand the principles of electronic reliability, system availability analysis and engineering management and lean manufacturing practices. AHEP4 C15, M15

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Design and validate selected circuits using real components AHEP4 C3
3. Critique the effects of non-ideal components and predict manufacturing yields by structured methods, AHEP4 C3, C13, M13

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Judge the End-of-life and understand the effect by electronic waste globally as well as taking considerations of the environmental legislations imposed by the government in product development. AHEP4 C7

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment:
Within the lecture and the seminar setting the module will use both case studies and real world problems to provide typical examples of both manufacturing and design based problems. Within this context we debate the performance and critically assess the necessary function, in doing so these sessions are rich in verbal feedback.

Summative Assessment:
Examination (EXAM): The summative assessment of this module is made up of 100% examination, which will be held at the end of the semester. All LOs will be assessed.
This is a 3-hour examination with 10-minutes reading time.
The examination paper will contain 3 sections; Section A (Design), Section B (Manufacture) and Section C (Open ended). Section are worth 25%/25%/50% of the module marks.

Pre-requisite(s)

KD5064 Analogue Electronics and Instrumentation (or equivalent knowledge)
KD5080 Engineering Product Development (or

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

Design and manufacturing analysis is a module that will expose you to the problems associated both with the design of an electronic product and the manufacture of electrical/electronic products. Specifically you will see two complementary aspects in the module from the design, and manufacturing aspects. Looking at the design aspects your work will develop a deeper understanding of the limitations of electronics using mathematics in the design of operational amplifiers, instrumentation amplifiers and filters. Within the manufacturing area you will be exposed to the issues in the real production of hardware from yield analysis to models of the manufacture process.
You are taught in this module through a combination of lectures and seminars, supplemented by both case studies and research material. Your assessment on the module is though a sectionalised examination paper at the end of the module.

Course info

UCAS Code H601

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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