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Session 2326

Introducing Applications Design into a First Year Electronics Devices Course

Theodore E. Fahlsing Purdue University

Abstract

The Electrical Engineering Technology department at Purdue University, West Lafayette extensively revised its curriculum to make it more effective, efficient and motivating for the students. To improve efficiency and motivation topics such as project design were identified and incorporated as a thread throughout the curriculum from entry to exit. Each course coordinator is strongly encouraged to include the topics identified as important thread topics into every course. In the first semester all students are required to complete the first course in a four-course project sequence. This course introduces students to the essential skills of project management, graphical sketching, construction, testing and safety through the fabrication of a working “prototype” of a +5 volt, +12 volt and –12volt fixed power supply.

The design topic thread does not stop with just the project sequence. The thread is developed further by incorporation into other courses and the associated labs whenever the opportunity exists. This paper will describe how the first course introducing electronic devices uses this project thread to motivate students. A picture of a completed power supply project is in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Power Supply

Voltage Regulated Power Supply Design

As with most introductory electronic device courses it starts with the PN junction and applications of diodes. Special emphasis is placed on device specifications. The fundamentals of basic rectification and capacitive filtering are covered in the lecture and the associated labs. The lecture topics are enhanced by using the circuit of the power supply constructed in the first course of the project sequence as a vehicle to explain the design process of selecting the appropriate specifications for the transformer, diodes for the rectifier and capacitor for the filter.

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Fahlsing, T. E. (1999, June), Introducing Applications Design Into A First Year Electronics Device Courses Paper presented at 1999 Annual Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina. 10.18260/1-2--7779