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What will I learn on this module?
Within this module you will learn some of the key design and development skills needed for analogue electronics. The module will run through a number of fundamental building blocks of circuit design to enable you to design and develop from a high level abstraction in circuit design. The module supports this learning though the use of specific tools mixed in with key design theory along with practical lab based skills for the development and design of analogue circuitry using optimisation techniques.
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Experimentation based on the use and application of an industry standard CAD package (for example, OrCAD or Mentor Graphics). Use of CAD tools to experiment with a number of circuit structures to derive their function and application inside of an abstract CAD environment.
Components, Bipolar device operation and modelling in association with passive components. The design needs for the layout of components, including some of the key parameters needed for modelling inside a CAD environment.
Analogue Design
Design of fundamental analogue cell structures, including switches, active resistors, current sources and current sinks. The design of current mirrors from basic to more advanced supply voltage independent mirrors, and voltage and current references. Integrated circuit level design of the building blocks of communications, for example, low noise amplifiers, mixers, phase locked loops and oscillators.
How will I learn on this module?
Lectures are used in this module as your main delivery mechanism. Directed learning is used in conjunction with lectures to guide you to specific topics or chapters within the lecture material or towards texts in the indicative reading list. Moreover, industrial case studies and design problems are focused upon in lectures and laboratories to reinforce theory. Finally, interactive questions are included within the lecture material for formative feedback.
Laboratory sessions are used to provide access to industry standard CAD tools for the purposes of design, practical experience, and for positive reinforcement of the theoretical material.
A number of technologies are utilised, in learning, to provide key lectures and laboratory plenaries in a video format. This provides the opportunity for repetition in assimilation of knowledge or in the explanation of key lab work at the needed pace for your own personal learning.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
The module is delivered for you in both Lectures and Workshops. These provide the key academic support to your module; however around this is build a number of support structures.
Lectures support the more formal aspects of learning in the module, with key knowledge and understanding explored from current technology, case studies and research papers.
Workshops, supported by a lab tutor provide an opportunity for problem solving within a laboratory context, specifically using complex CAD tools. Feedback within the session is through verbal comments such that a rich dialogue is formed of commentary as to the engineering solutions to design and manufacturing problems. Within the laboratory session, the module team have deeply integrated video techniques such that you can view the plenary to the workshop beforehand, and have the opportunity to recap at your own learning pace.
The most appropriate use of blackboard (online platform) is made in the module 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. Moreover additional support is 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. The blackboard website can be accessed both on and off campus.
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. Pertinent design knowledge, mathematics and engineering principles from relevant research for complex analogue abstractions. AHEP 4 M1
2. Critically evaluate complex design concepts for the design of analogue circuits, at pertinent abstraction levels, with potentially incomplete data. AHEP4 M2
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Demonstrate expertise in the use of laboratory-based industry standard CAD tools for the design, testing and modelling of innovative analogue circuitry. AHEP4 M3, M12
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Evaluate a design for a relevant audience in the context of professional, & commercial standards. AHEP4 M5
How will I be assessed?
There is one form of summative assessment in this module:
Assignment (CW) 100%. An open-ended design assignment (4000 words max) will test a combination of the mathematical design steps, the application of CAD to a real world design example. This addresses module learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3 and 4. Feedback will be provided electronically.
Formative Assessment:
1. Feedback to students is key to learning; this is provided in the case studies inside the lecture content, to give a positive context to the design work. Simple in class tests are utilised for establishing a baseline on which the foundation of the content is driven. This provides immediate feedback on understanding and knowledge
2. Clear verbalised feedback in the lab sessions, where key designs are experimented with during tutor led discussions. Furthermore, the laboratories are provided with a number of ScreenCam videos to encourage own paced learning and key guidance as and when required.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
Analogue electronic design is a module that will challenge you in the design of analogue electronic circuitry. I will show, in this module that you can succeed and understand analogue building up a key set of analogue blocks, so you learn the concepts and the apply the design mathematics. You will be taught using a combination of lectures and workshops where we complement the delivery with additional video content in the form of videos that provide support in the use of industrial standard CAD tools (for example OrCAD) and design run through to aid conceptualisation. You will perform a series of laboratories leading up to an assignment based on a real-world design example with mathematical derivations, design steps and application of CAD tools clearly demonstrated.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 1 year Full Time
2 other options available
Department Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
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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