Topics and Notes Summary (updated 12/9/2011):

Dec. 9 (Fri)
[43]

Course wrap-up:  review of the second half of the course

Problem/Review sessions:

Monday 12 December:  8:30-9:30AM, ECE Conference Room (608 Cobleigh)

Wednesday 14 December:  8:30-9:30AM, ECE Conference Room (608 Cobleigh)

 
Dec. 7 (Wed)
[42]

Course wrap-up:  review of the first half of the course

Reminder:  The Final Exam will be held in the regular classroom at 8AM on Thursday, December 15, 2011.  The exam is closed book.  You may bring three sheets of handwritten notes, a calculator, and a pen/pencil.  The exam is scheduled for 110 minutes, but you are free to leave when you are done.  I will plan to have some donuts--please bring your own beverage!

Reminder:  please check the course records on D2L and make sure all labs, quizzes, and exam grades are properly listed.

Dec. 5 (Mon)
[41]

Electric motor principles:  shunt and series connected motors, speed control, and rectifiers

 [lecture]

 
Dec. 2 (Fri)
[40]

Electric motor principles:  DC machines (cont.)

[lecture] (prepared by Sarah Lukes)

For next week, read 16.4 - 16.7
Nov. 30 (Wed)
[39]

Electric motor principles:  DC machines

[lecture]

 
Nov. 28 (Mon)
[38]

Electric motor principles

[lecture]

Read 16.1 - 16.3

No quiz this week.

Practice problems for this week:
  P16.7, P16.8, P16.17, P16.20, P16.23, P16.30, P16.31 

Practice problem solutions.

LAB INFO:  We will work on Lab #9 this week (last lab!).  There are pre-lab exercises required.  NOTE that the lab sections will again be in EPS room 119, not the regular room in Cobleigh.  Go directly to EPS 119 for your lab period.

Nov. 23-25 (W-F) No MSU Classes (Thanksgiving Holiday)
Nov. 21 (Mon)
[37]

Some principles of electrical wiring for homes and offices in the U.S.

[lecture notes]

Thanksgiving holiday
The Thanksgiving Day holiday in the United States comes from the harvest festival tradition of 16th century agrarian Europe.

The traditional "first Thanksgiving" was held in 17th century America by the Pilgrims (1621). George Washington instituted a national day of Thanksgiving in 1789, but the event did not gain widespread official acceptance until Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation on October 3, 1863, setting aside the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving.  Incidentally, this proclamation was issued just a few weeks before Lincoln gave his famous address at Gettysburg (November 19, 1863). 

Every president after Lincoln continued the Thanksgiving Day tradition, and Congress adopted the fourth Thursday of November as a national holiday in 1941.

This year the fourth Thursday falls on November 24. The fourth Thursday can be as early as Nov. 22 (like 2007), and as late as Nov. 28.

Look ahead formula: to determine the date of Thanksgiving next year, subtract one from the day of the month this year; then if next year is a leap year, subtract 1 more. If that result is less than 22, add 7.  Example:  in 2011 the date is 24, so in 2012 (a leap year) Thanksgiving will once again be on Nov. 22, while in 2013 it will be Nov. 28.

Nov. 18 (Fri)
[36]

Inductor properties

[lecture] (prepared by Sarah Lukes)

For next week:  lecture on Monday will cover the basics of home electrical wiring!

No class on Wednesday or Friday (Thanksgiving Holiday).

If you are going to be in Bozeman on Thanksgiving Day, please plan to join in the Huffing for Stuffing event (run OR walk OR volunteer) that benefits the Food Bank.  Your instructor will once again be the costumed male turkey runner in the 5km:  "smoke" the turkey and you get a prize!  Ladies, there is a female turkey runner in the 5km, too.

 

 
Nov. 16 (Wed)
[35]

Magnetic circuit principles

Continue three phase lecture (from last week)

Practice problems for this week:  P15.6, P15.10, P15.18, P15.60

Practice problem solutions.

 
Nov. 14 (Mon)
[34]

Transformer introduction

 Return exam #3.

Read 15.1 - 15.3 AND 15.5

No quiz this week, but practice problems will be assigned soon.

LAB INFO:  We will work on Lab #8 this week.  There is no pre-lab work required, but please read section 15.5 in the textbook.  NOTE that the lab will be in EPS room 119, not the regular room in Cobleigh.  Go directly to EPS 119 for your lab period.  Room 119 is in the east hallway of the main floor:  from the EPS atrium go east, and then take the first left.  Room 119 will be on the right.

Nov. 11 (Fri)
[33]

Veterans Day Holiday
No MSU classes; offices closed.

Nov. 9 (Wed)
[32]

EXAM #3 in class
Closed book (calculator, pen/pencil, and optional one 8.5x11 sheet of notes)
Coverage is the amplifier and op amp material (section 11.1 and chapter 14).

 
Nov. 7 (Mon)
[31]

Review for exam 3; start three-phase power topics

[lecture]

For this week:

  • Read  5.7 AND 15.1 - 15.2

  • No quiz this week.  Study for exam 3 (Wednesday, 11/9/11)

  • No lab this week:  work on formal report for Lab #7.

  • Problem session/exam review:  Tuesday 8 November, 3:30-5:00PM, Cobleigh 632 (classroom).
Nov. 4 (Fri)
[30]

Op amp integrators and differentiators

[lecture] (prepared by Sarah Lukes)

Nov. 2 (Wed)
[28]

No EELE 250 class this day.

(Lab will meet)
Oct. 31 (Mon)
[27]

 Op amps -- design with op amps

[lecture]

For this week:

  • Read 14.7, 14.9, and also read 5.7 (3 phase circuits)

  • No quiz this week.  Study for exam 3 (Wednesday, 11/9/11)

  • Practice Problems:

    • P14.74, P14.75

Practice problem solutions.

NOTE:  there will be NO EELE 250 lecture on Wednesday, November 2.  The Wednesday lab section will meet as usual. Class will meet again on Friday, November 4.

Lab #7 this week requires a basic op amp design for the pre-lab.  The lab TA (Nick Havens) will be available Monday (10/31) in the afternoon if you have any questions about the design.

There will be no lab during the week of Nov. 7.  A formal report for Lab #7 will be due the week of Nov. 14.

Oct. 28 (Fri)
[26]

Op amps -- real op amps vs. the ideal model.

[lecture]

For next week (10/31-11/4) you will work on Lab #7, which includes a basic op amp design problem.

Lab #7 will require a formal lab report due at the start of your lab session during the week of November 14.  There will be no lab during the week of November 7, although the lab TA (Nick Havens) can let you in to do any follow-up measurements that are needed for Lab #7.  Here are the Formal Lab Report Guidelines  and the report grading criteria.

NOTE that Midterm Exam #3 is tentatively scheduled for class time on Wednesday, November 9.  The exam will cover the op amp material (assigned sections of Chapter 14).

 
Oct. 26 (Wed)
[25]

Op amps -- op amp applications.

[lecture]

 
Oct. 24 (Mon)
[24]

Op amps -- design with op amp circuits.

For this week:

  • Read 14.4 - 14.7

  • Practice Problems:

    • P14.18, P14.20, P14.21, P14.23, P14.36, P14.38

Practice problem solutions.

  • Do Lab #6.  Keep your circuits on your breadboard for use again next week in Lab #7.

  • D2L Quiz #8 by 11AM on Monday 31 Oct. 
Oct. 21 (Fri)
[23]

Op amps -- analyzing closed-loop circuits with the ideal op amp model.  The inverting configuration.

[lecture] (prepared by Sarah Lukes)

For next week:  Lab #6 on op amps

 
Oct. 19 (Wed)
[22]

Amplifiers and introduction to operational amplifiers (op amps)

[a few notes about op amps]

 
Oct. 17 (Mon)
[21] 		EXAM #2 in class
Closed book (calculator, pen/pencil, and optional one 8.5x11 sheet of notes)
Coverage through Chapter 5.

For this week:

Read 11.1  AND   14.1-14.3

Practice problems:

P11.4, P11.8
P14.9, P14.10, P14.11

Practice problem solutions.

No quiz this week!

No lab this week!

 
Oct. 14 (Fri)
[20]

Diodes and simple diode circuits

Review for exam #2.

 
Oct. 12 (Wed)
[19]

Frequency response (Ch. 6.2)

Also some review for exam #2.

[lecture]

NOTE:  please BE CAREFUL if you use your hand calculator for complex arithmetic.  I've seen at least one example where an expression entered as:

"1/500i"  gets interpreted as "(1/500)*i"  instead of as "1/(500*i)"

I'd recommend using parenthesis to ensure that the operator precedence matches your intent!

Reminder:  Exam #2:  in class next Monday 17 October.  Coverage through Chapter 5.  Closed book.  One optional 8.5x11 handwritten sheet is allowed.  Bring a calculator and a pen/pencil.

Exam covers through Chapter 5 in the textbook.

I will hold exam review and problem sessions this week at the following dates/times/locations:

  • Thursday, October 13, 4-5PM in Cobleigh 632

  • Friday, October 14, 9-10AM in Cobleigh 608

  • Friday, October 14, 3-4PM in Cobleigh 608

I also have my regular office hours Friday 10-11AM, and we will take a few minutes in class on Friday for review, too.

 
Oct. 10 (Mon)
[18]

Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits with complex impedances and AC steady-state sources 

[lecture]

Read 5.6, 6.2  AND  10.1 10.6

Practice problems:

P5.65, P5.67, P5.81, P5.91
P6.24, P6.25
P10.8, P10.14, P10.36

Practice problem solutions.

D2L Quiz #7 by 11AM on Monday 17 Oct.

REMINDER:  Lab #5 this week.  There will be NO LAB next week (10/17-10/21).

Several of you asked about Quiz #6 problems 9 and 10.  Here are example solutions to those two problems.

Oct. 7 (Fri)
[17]

AC Power (cont.)

[lecture] (prepared by Sarah Lukes)

Next week we will work on Lab #5.  Please be sure to do the prelab assignment prior to your lab session.

Note:  there will be NO LAB during the week of October 17-21 
Oct. 5 (Wed)
[16]

AC Power

[lecture]

If your familiarity with complex numbers and complex arithmetic is a bit rusty, please take a few minutes to review Appendix A in the textbook.  It has a good summary and overview of complex notation.

Key things to remember:
 j = sqrt(-1)
 j x j =  -1
 (a + jb)  + (c + jd)  = (a+c) + j(b+d)    (add real part and imaginary part separately)
 (a + jb)  x (c + jd)  = (ac - bd) + j(ad + bc)     (multiply through and collect terms)
 1/j = -j

Rectangular to polar:
 (a + jb) = sqrt( a2 + b2 ) at angle tan-1(b / a)

Polar to Rectangular:
 V at angle theta = V cos(theta) + jV sin(theta)

Oct. 3 (Mon)
[15] 		Steady-State AC Circuit Analysis

[lecture]

Read 5.1 5.4  AND  5.5-5.6

Practice problems:

P5.23, P5.24, P5.35, P5.37
P5.42, P5.44, P5.47, P5.49, P5.57

Practice problem solutions.

D2L Quiz #6 by 11AM on Monday 10 Oct.

Exam #2:  in class on Monday 17 Oct.

REMINDER:  Lab #4 this week, and turn in your formal report from Lab #3.

Sept. 30 (Fri)
[14]

Sinusoidal Analysis

[lecture]

REMINDER:  Lab #4 will be worked on during the week of October 3. There is a pre-lab assignment, so be sure to do the calculations prior to arriving at your lab section.  Also remember that the formal report for Lab #3 is due during your lab section this week.

Some of you were curious about the components in your lab kit.  Here is a summary of the kit contents, and the parts list used by the ECE Stockroom.

Sept. 28 (Wed)
[13] 		Transient Analysis (cont.)

[lecture]

Several of you told me you are concerned about understanding the first-order differential equations that arise from RC (resistor+capacitor) and RL (resistor+inductor) transient circuit theory.  Here's some good news for you:  the problems of interest to us can be solved using a standard form of solution.  No need to prove the differential equation each time!

RC circuits:

(1) Find the capacitor voltage for t=0 ("V0") and for t→∞ ("V∞")
(2) Find the equivalent resistance "seen" by the capacitor (Req)
(3) Then for t>0, vc(t) = V∞+ (V0 - V∞)e-t / τ, where τ = ReqC
(4) Need the current?  Just remember that ic(t) = C dvc(t)/dt ("cee dee vee dee tee")

RL circuits:

(1) Find the inductor current for t=0 ("I0") and for t→∞ ("I∞")
(2) Find the equivalent resistance "seen" by the inductor (Req)
(3) Then for t>0, iL(t) = I∞+ (I0 - I∞)e-t / τ, where τ = L/Req
(4) Need the voltage?  Just remember that vL(t) = L diL(t)/dt ("ell dee aye dee tee")

Sept. 26 (Mon)
[12] 		Transient Analysis

[lecture] (prepared by Sarah Lukes)

Read 4.1 - 4.3 AND 5.1 5.4

Practice problems:

P3.46, P3.54, P3.62, P3.63
P4.3, P4.5, P4.33, P4.39

Practice problem solutions.

D2L Quiz #5 by 11AM on Monday 3 Oct.

REMINDER:  Work on your Lab #3 formal report.  The reports are due at lab time during the week of Oct. 3. 

 
Sept. 23 (Fri)
[11] 		Capacitors (cont.) and inductors

[lecture]

For the weekend, be sure to finish reading the textbook material, and don't forget to do Quiz #4 before class time on Monday!
Sept. 21 (Wed)
[10]

Discuss exam results.

Capacitors and RC circuits

[lecture]

Read 3.4 - 3.7, AND 4.1 - 4.3 
Practice problems:

P2.57, P2.59, P2.88 <--note that these involve controlled sources
P3.6, P3.7, P3.8, P3.11

Practice problem solutions .

D2L Quiz #4 by 11AM on Monday 26 Sept.  (The quiz is posted on D2L).  

REMINDER:  Lab #3 this week will require a formal lab report due at the start of your lab session during the week of October 3.  There will be no lab during the week of September 26, although the lab TA (Nick Havens) can let you in to do any follow-up measurements that are needed for Lab #3.  Here are the Formal Lab Report Guidelines  and the report grading criteria.

 
Sept. 19 (Mon)
[9] 		EXAM #1 in class
Closed book (calculator, pen/pencil, and optional one 8.5x11 sheet of notes)
Coverage through Chapter 2.

Sept. 16 (Fri)
[8]

 Exam review, then start Chapter 3 material

For next week (9/19-9/23) we will work on [Lab #3]. Be sure to read the write-up and do the pre-lab calculations. This lab will require a formal lab report (details will be discussed in class). The Lab #3 report will be due at the start of your lab 10/3-10/7.  There will be NO lab 9/26-9/30, so you can use that time to work on the formal report.

 

Sept. 14 (Wed)
[7]

 Maximum power transfer (impedance matching)

[lecture]

NOTE:  Exam #1 will be held during class time on Monday, Sept. 19.  Coverage will be material from Chapters 1 and 2.

NOTE:  There will be an optional drop-in problem-solving session 5-6PM on Thursday 15 September in room 608 Cobleigh Hall (ECE Conference Room).

 

Sept. 12 (Mon)
[6]

 Mesh current analysis; Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits

[lecture]

For this week:  [Lab#2]

Read 3.1 - 3.3

Practice problems:

P2.69, P2.72, 2.77, 2.80, 2.81, 2.83
P2.94, 2.97

Practice problem solutions.

D2L Quiz #3 by 11AM on Monday 19 September

 

Sept. 9 (Fri)
[5]

 Mesh current analysis (solving for loop currents using KVL equations)

[lecture]

For next week:  Review text section 2.6 on Thevenin and Norton circuits.

NOTE that Lab #2 for 9/13-9/15 has a pre-lab assignment to do BEFORE you arrive at your lab session next week  [Lab#2]

NOTE:  Exam #1 will be held during class time on Monday, Sept. 19.  Coverage will be material from Chapters 1 and 2.

 

Sept. 7 (Wed)
[4]

 Node voltage analysis (solving for node voltages using KCL equations)

[lecture]

Assignment:

Read 2.4 through 2.7

Do practice problems:

P2.34,  P2.36,  P2.37,  P2.48,  P2.49,  P2.53
P2.67,  P2.68,  P2.71

Practice problem solutions.

Then 
TAKE D2L QUIZ#2 before Friday, 5PM.  This quiz involves node and mesh equations, and will require solving simultaneous linear equations with one, two, and three variables.  You may use your calculator or solve by hand.

 

Sept. 5 (Mon)

Labor Day Holiday (no classes, offices closed)

NOTE that the labs WILL meet the second week of class, beginning Tues 10AM.

Download and print the Lab cover sheet for your notebook, and the Lab #1 experiment:  bring your lab kit, lab notebook, and these write-ups with you to your lab section!  [Cover Sheet]  [Lab#1]

Sept. 2 (Fri)
[3]

Series and Parallel Resistors, Voltage dividers, Current dividers

[lecture]

 

Aug. 31 (Wed)
[2]

Circuits:  nodes, branches, and loops.

[lecture]

Node voltage, voltage drop, KVL, KCL, R, Ohms Law

Assignment:

Read 1.1 through 1.7; and 2.1 through 2.3

Do practice problems:

P1.12,  P1.14,  P1.36,  P1.37,  P1.41,  P1.42
P2.1,  P2.6,  P2.23,  P2.24,  P2.27

Practice problem solutions.

Then 
TAKE D2L QUIZ before Friday, 5PM 

Aug. 29 (Mon)
[1]

First class day. Meet 10:00AM, Roberts Hall room 101

[lecture]

Introduction and class expectations.

Review of electrical charge, current, voltage, power, energy, etc.

NOTE that the labs will NOT meet the first week of class.