EE 200

Electric Circuits (3 Cr.)

Prerequisite: CS 105

Description: Usually taken after EE210, this course is more theoretical than digital electronics. It emphasizes the basic principles on which digital electronics are based. Exploring these principles leads one to conclude that all electronics are really analog. Effects seen in digital circuits may be due to unanticipated capacitance or inductance. It is important to understand how these transient phenomena arise. It is also often useful to have an analog section in a primarily digital circuit. Topics in this course include passive components, series and parallel circuits, two-terminal networks, two-port networks, circuit reduction techniques, impedance analysis, measurement of waveforms, power, and filters. It also looks at operational amplifiers, step responses of various simple circuits, and the Laplace transform.

EE 210

Digital Electronics I (4 Cr.)

Prerequisites: CS 105

Description: The objective of this class and the following EE260 is to prepare a students well enough at hardware design and trouble shooting so that he or she can determine whether a problem comes from hardware or software. The class uses TTL family integrated circuits to build digital devices. Part of the time is spent in the lab. Topics in this course include digital logic, programmable logic devices, FPGA, arithmetic circuits, multiplexers and demultiplexers, logic families, memory devices, and flip-flops.

EE 260

Digital Electronics II (4 Cr.)

Prerequisite: EE 210

Description: In this course, students will enhance their abilities with digital logic and learn about the trade-offs in putting functionality in circuits or programming them. Students learn how to use the power of a logic analyzer to track down system anomalies. Topics include counter circuits, shift registers, timers, digital/analog conversion, microprocessor architecture, ports, and interrupt handling. This course also examines the use of logic analyzers and in-circuit emulation (ICE) with particular emphasis on small-scale systems for embedded devices. Lab time will enhance concepts covered in the lectures.

EE 300

Embedded Microcontroller Systems (3 Cr.)

Prerequisites: CS 315, EE 260

Concurrent Course: EEL 310

Description: This class covers the remaining concepts needed to build the hardware and software for a hand-held gaming device. By this point, students will have studied many pieces needed in electronic systems and have worked with microprocessors. This class aims to bring together additional concepts and expand the understanding of a microprocessor or microcontroller system. Topics include Harvard architecture, microprocessor systems, analog/digital conversions, timing control, serial ports, peripheral access, and digital signal processor (DSP) applications to real-time audio processing. Students will emerge with a better understanding of system architecture and how the key components interact.

EE 350

Linear Control Systems (3 Cr.)

Prerequisite: MAT 256

Description: Systems can be described mathematically, which prevents wasting time on something that does not work. While the course will focus primarily on electro-mechanical systems, the techniques are also applicable to purely mechanical systems. Topics in this course include signals and systems, state-space description, convolution, frequency analysis of signals, feedback, Bode, Nyquist, root locus analysis, stability, phase margin, observability, errors in tracking and steady-state, motor control, PID control, and Kalman filters. Laplace and Fourier transforms are used to consider frequency domain as well as time domain. Since the only prerequisite for this class is differential equations, it is suitable as an elective for non-majors.

EE 400

Motors and Sensors (3 Cr.)

Prerequisite: PHY 270

Description: An electronic system is useless unless it interacts with the outside world. Students have used sensors and actuators before, but in this course, they will examine them in more detail. They will develop their understanding of the capabilities and limitations of some popular sensors. Additionally, they will study the physical principles behind an electrical motor/generator. Topics in this course include three-phase circuits, transformers, power transmission, motors and generators, stepper motors and encoders, motor controllers, limit switches, and sensors (optical, acoustic, eddy current, and triangulation).