Quizzes are all closed book and closed notes.
Students are permitted to bring pencils, erasers and a
calculator.
No laptops, no phones or any other equipment or materials are
necessary or permitted.
Copies of the appropriate crib sheets (see below) will be
handed out with each of the quizzes.
Quiz 1 2022 Spring | | Quiz 1 2022 Srping solution
Quiz 1 2021 Fall | | Quiz 1 2021 Fall solution
Quiz 1 2020 Spring
solution
Quiz 1 2019 Fall
solution
Quiz 1 2019 Spring
solution
Quiz 1 2018 Fall solution
Quiz 1 2018 Spring
solution Note: Not a good representative difficulty
Quiz 1 2017 Spring
Part B solution
Quiz 1 2016 Fall
Part A Quiz 1
2016 Fall Part B solution
Quiz 1 2016 Spring
solution
Quiz 1 2015 Fall solution
Quiz 1 2015 Spring
solution
Quiz 1 2014 Fall solution
Quiz 1 2014 Spring
solution
Quiz 1 2013 Fall solution
Quiz 1 2013 Spring
solution
Quiz 1 2012 Fall solution
Quiz 1 2012 Spring solution
Quiz 1 2011 Fall solution
Quiz 1 2011 Spring
solution
Quiz 1 2010 Fall solution
Quiz 1 2010 Spring
solution
Quiz 1
2009 Spring solution
Quiz 1 2008 Fall
solution
Quiz 1 2008 Spring
solution
Quiz 1 2007 Fall
solution (In Question III, part 1), the first expression
for the transfer function is incorrect because the two terms
in the denominators should be added rather than multiplied.
The second expression is correct, so the person who did the
solution typed the denominator of the first expression wrong.)
Five Questions each worth about 20 points
Question 1 -- Circuit Analysis
- Be able to handle combinations of
parallel and/or series resistors
- You may be asked to give resistance
expressions in equation form, rather than as a number.
- Be able to find voltages or currents
through any resistor
- Be able to find the total resistance or
current
- Know the voltage divider equation.
- Be able to find the voltage across a
resistor in a voltage divider configuration.
- The following file has past test
questions on this topic: CircuitAnalysis.pdf
Question 2 -- Filters
- Understand how capacitors behave at very
low and high frequencies.
- Understand how inductors behave at very
low and high frequencies.
- Be able to redraw a given RL, RC or RLC
circuit at low and/or high frequencies and identify low pass,
high pass, band pass and band
reject filters.
- Know how to find the resonant frequency
of RLC circuits. Remember w=2pf.
[omega = 2(pi)f]
- Know how to find the corner frequency of
RC and RL circuits. Remember w=2pf. [omega = 2(pi)f]
- Be able to determine resonant frequency
(or w) and corner
frequency (or w)
given a semi-log plot of the input and output of a circuit.
- Be able to identify what will happen to
a signal of a certain frequency when it is applied to an RC,
RL, or RLC filter. Will the filter pass it, reject it, or do
something in between? What will the output voltage be relative
to the input voltage?
- Remember you can identify the value of a
voltage at a point using knowledge of connection to ground,
connection to source voltage, location of an open circuit,
location of a short, or the voltage divider rule.
- The following file has past test
questions on this topic: Filters.pdf
- The following file has more test
questions with relevance to filters: HighLow.pdf
Question 3 -- Transfer Functions and Phasors
- Be able to apply the voltage divider
equation and parallel and series combination rules to find
transfer functions using complex impedance expressions. Also
be able to simplify these expressions.
- Be able to simplify the transfer
function to find a function which
governs behavior at low and high frequencies.
- Be able to find the magnitude and phase
of the simplified transfer function at low and high
frequencies.
- Be able to to
simplify the transfer function to find a function
which governs behavior at the corner or resonant
frequency.
- Be able to find an expression (or value)
for the magnitude and phase of the simplified transfer
function at the corner or resonant frequency.
- Be able to use the transfer function to
determine the output amplitude and output phase of a circuit
given the input amplitude, input phase, and frequency.
- Be able to identify low pass, high pass,
band pass and band reject filters given a plot of the transfer
function.
- Be able to sketch magnitude and phase
for low pass, high pass, band pass and band reject filters
using their behavior at low frequencies, high frequencies and
the resonant or corner frequency.
- Be able to determine resonant frequency
(or w) and corner
frequency (or w)
given a semi-log plot of the transfer function of a circuit.
- Don't forget the simple substitution of
short and open circuits for capacitors and inductors. It is an
easy way to double check transfer function behavior at low and
high frequencies.
- The following file has past test
questions on this topic: TransferFunctions.pdf
Question 4 -- Transformers and Inductors
- Know the basic equations involving
transformers and how to apply them.
- Know the basic characteristics of
transformers.
- Be able to calculate an unknown
inductance given the capacitance or capacitance given the
inductance.
- Be able to calculate the resonant
frequency given inductance or capacitance...or visa versa.
- Be able to estimate the inductance of a
coil when given some dimensions for the unknown inductor from
the ideal formula.
- Know whether or not this ideal formula
will over estimate or under estimate the inductance of the
coil.
- The following file has past test
questions on this topic: Transformers.pdf
- The following file has past test
questions on a combination of related topics: Inductance.pdf
Question 5 -- PSpice,
Instrumentation and Components
- Be able to identify which trace on a
plot corresponds to which voltage point of a simple circuit.
- Given a PSpice
plot with time-varying signals on it, show that the signals
satisfy the appropriate voltage and current relationships.
- Given that you wish to obtain a
particular AC Sweep, DC Sweep, or Transient analysis with PSpice, describe the specific steps
you would follow. You will be given blank windows and asked
which ones you will use and what numbers you will input.
- Given an image of one of the instruments
we have used in this class (function generator, digital multimeter, scope, dc supply),
identify the buttons you would push for some specified
purpose. Only the most basic functions will be considered.
- Understand how to set frequency,
amplitude, dc offset, and duty cycle on function generator.
- Describe how to use the multimeter to measure voltage and
resistance.
- Describe how to set the correct voltage
with the DC supply.
- Understand how to set time and voltage
scales on the 'scope.
- Understand how to determine voltage
values or time values using Voltage/Time buttons and/or scale
factors on the 'scope.
- Understand how to subtract two signals
or set up a simple Lissajous
figure on the 'scope.
- Be able to explain the discrepancy
between reading on the 'scope (or the DMM) and the function
generator and why it happens.
- Be able to read resistors and capacitors
and find tolerances.
- Know when equipment impedances and
resistance of wires can and cannot be ignored.
- The following file has past test
questions on these topics: General.pdf
Additional Topics
The following additional topics may also be
covered as parts of the above five questions.
Sine Waves
- Given an exact image produced on the
oscilloscope, determine the mathematical representation of the
signal displayed.
- Be able to find peak-to-peak amplitude,
RMS amplitude, amplitude phase, frequency, angular frequency,
period, and dc offset
- Know all units for the above.
- Be able to sketch a sine wave from the
mathematical equation
Homework and Experiments
- Any question included in a Report and
Conclusions section of experiments 1-3 is fair game.
- Any question similar to those on homeworks 1-3 is fair game.
Other Skills
- Be able to read semi-log plots.
- Be able to substitute in numerical
values for R, L, C and w=2pf
as needed to find numerical answers.
Review Sessions
Quiz reviews are
available online (YouTube & LMS) with easiest access through
the Lecture page.
Crib Sheet
The
following crib sheet will be provided.
Quiz 2 2022 Spring
Quiz 2 2022 Spring
solution
Quiz 2 2021 Fall
solution
Quiz 2 2021 Fall
Quiz 2 2019 Fall
solution
Quiz 2 2019 Spring
solution
Quiz 2 2018 Fall solution
Quiz 2 2018 Spring
solution
Quiz 2 2017 Fall solution
Quiz 2 2017 Spring
solution
Quiz 2 2016 Fall solution
Quiz 2 2016 Spring
solution
Quiz 2 2015 Fall solution
Quiz 2 2015 Spring
solution
Quiz 2 2014 Fall solution
Quiz 2 2014 Spring
solution
Quiz 2 2013 Fall solution
Quiz 2 2013 Spring
solution
Quiz 2 2012
Fall solution
Quiz 2 2012 Spring
solution
Quiz 2 2011 Fall solution (The answer to problem IV,
part 5 is wrong because the value for C1 was plugged into the
expression instead of the value for C2. Thus the frequency
should be closer to 10kHz)
Quiz 2 2011 Spring
solution
Quiz 2 2010 Fall solution
Quiz 2 Spring 2010 solution (Plots f and g are labeled
backwards at the bottom of page 2, but Adobe will not regenerate
the pdf for this file, so a corrected version cannot be posted)
Quiz 2
Spring 2009 solution
Quiz 2 Fall 2008
solution
Quiz 2 Spring 2008
solution
Quiz 2 Fall 2007
solution
Five Questions each worth about 20 points
Question 1 -- Damped Sinusoids and the Strain
Gauge Bridge
- Know the equation for a damped sinusoid.
- Be able to determine the damping
constant of a damped sinusoid given a plot.
- Be able to find other properties of a
damped sinusoid: initial amplitude, frequency, period, angular
frequency, and DC offset.
- Be able to identify passive circuits (no
input voltage source) that produce sinusoids (LC) and damped
sinusoids (RLC). Be able to relate the component values of
these circuits to the properties of the sinusoid. The resonant
frequency (in Hertz) is given by f=1/[2psqrt(LC)] and the
damping constant (in 1/sec) is given by a=R/[2L].
- Know what a bridge circuit is and how it
is used in the experiments.
- Know what a balanced bridge is and how
to recognize a circuit that is balanced.
- Know how to apply the equation that
relates the frequency of a loaded beam to the mass at the end
of the beam.
- The following file has past test
questions related to damped sinusoids: DecaySine.pdf
Question 2 -- Thevenin
Equivalent Sources
- Be able to apply Thevenin
equivalent method to a voltage divider, a Wheatstone Bridge or
other simple configuration.
- Be able to find the Thevenin resistance
- Be able to find Thevenin
voltage
- Be able to draw the Thevenin circuit with or without a
load
- Be able to use a voltage divider to
determine voltage across a load placed on the Thevenin equivalent circuit.
- The following file has past test
questions on finding Thevenin
Circuits: Thevenin.pdf
Question 3 -- Op Amp Applications
- Know how to recognize the amplifier
configurations we have already seen: inverting, non-inverting,
buffer, differentiator (real and ideal), integrator (real and
ideal), differential, and (weighted) adder.
- Know the characteristic equation (in the
time domain) that governs each circuit above.
- Know the transfer function (in terms of
j and w) that
governs each circuit above.
- Know the characteristics and limitations
of op-amps.
- Know what a voltage follower (buffer) is
and why you would want to use it in a circuit.
- Know how to apply the characteristic
equation of an op amp to find the gain, input voltage, output
voltage or resistances given the other values.
- Understand how to find an equation for
the behavior of a circuit involving more than one op-amp
circuit in series: Htotal
= H1 * H2.
- Understand how to apply the equation for
the combined behavior of an op-amp circuit to
digital-to-analog conversion or other task.
- The following file has past test
questions on digital to analog conversion: DigitalAnalog.pdf
(No longer part of Quiz 2 - May be in
Quiz 3)
- The following file has past test
questions with relevance to op-amp applications: OpAmp-Applications.pdf
Question 4 -- Op Amp Analysis
- Know how to use the op amp equations to
derive the transfer function for all of the amplifier circuits
studied: inverting, non-inverting, buffer, differentiator,
integrator, differential, and (weighted) adder.
- Know how to use the op amp equations to
derive the transfer function for a simple circuit similar to
the above.
- The following file has test questions
with relevance to op amp analysis: OpAmp-Analysis.pdf
Question 5 -- Integrators/Differentiators
- Be able to sketch or recognize the
output of a simple op-amp circuit given the input. Note that
we are especially interested in the amplitude and phase
effects of integrators and differentiators.
- Know the basic mathematical concepts
behind differentiation (slope of curve) and integration (area
under curve).
- Know that real integrators and real
differentiators only work well at certain frequencies.
- Be able to recognize the characteristic
curve (sweep of magnitude and/or phase) of both integrators
and differentiators.
- Be able to identify frequencies at which
integrators and differentiators are working more-or-less
correctly given an AC sweep of the transfer function magnitude
or phase.
- Know how to apply the equation for the
corner frequency of an integrator or a differentiator to
determine an estimate of when these circuits will be acting
ideally and when they will be acting like an inverting
amplifier.
- The following file has test questions
with relevance to op amp analysis: OpAmp-DiffInt.pdf
Homeworks and Experiments
- Any question included in a Results and
Discussion section of experiments 4-5 are fair game.
- Any question similar to those on homeworks 4-5 is fair game.
Basic Skills
- Basic skills related to PSpice, Equipment, and Sine Waves may
appear on this, or any other, exam.
- See the list for quiz 1 for details.
- The following file has past test
questions on these topics: General.pdf
Other Skills
- Know the voltage divider equation.
- Be able to find the voltage across a
resistor in a voltage divider configuration.
- Be able to apply the voltage divider
equation to transfer functions with complex impedance
expressions.
- Be able to identify the value of a
voltage at a point using knowledge of connection to ground,
connection to source voltage, open circuit, short, or voltage
divider rule.
- Be able to read semi-log plots.
- Be able to substitute in numerical
values for R, L, C and w=2pf
as needed to find numerical answers.
Review Sessions
Quiz reviews are
available online (YouTube & LMS) with easiest access
through the Lecture
page.
Crib Sheet
The
following crib sheet will be provided. We will also give
you the crib sheet from the first quiz.
Fall 2021 |
Quiz 3 Fall 2021 |
Quiz 3 Fall 2021 solution |
Fall 2019 |
Quiz 3 Fall 2019 |
Quiz 3 Fall 2019 solution |
Spring 2019 |
Quiz 3 Spring 2019 |
Quiz 3 Spring 2019 solution |
Fall 2018 |
|
Quiz 3 Fall 2018 solution |
Spring 2018 |
Quiz 3 Spring 2018 |
Quiz 3 Spring 2018 solution |
Fall 2017 |
|
Quiz 3 Fall 2017 solution |
Spring 2017 |
|
Quiz 3 Spring 2017 solution |
Fall 2016 |
|
Quiz 3 Fall 2016 solution |
Spring 2016 |
|
Quiz 3 Spring 2016 solution |
Fall 2015 |
|
Quiz 3 Fall 2015 solution |
Spring 2015 |
|
Quiz 3 Spring 2015 solution |
Fall 2014 |
|
Quiz 3 Fall 2014 solution |
Spring 2014 |
|
Quiz 3 Spring 2014 solution, Quiz 4 Spring 2014 solution (Quiz 3+4 combined past this semester) |
Fall 2013 |
|
Quiz 3 Fall 2013 solution, Quiz 4 Fall 2013 solution |
Spring 2013 |
|
Quiz 3 Spring 2013 solution, Quiz 4
Spring 2013 solution |
Fall 2012 |
|
Quiz 3 Fall 2012 solution, Quiz 4 Fall 2012 solution |
Spring 2012 |
|
Quiz 3 Spring 2012 solution, Quiz 4 Spring 2012 solution (There is a small typo in the answer to problem 1, part 4. The expression 0.1/0.04 should be 0.01/0.04. The answer is correct.) |
Fall 2011 |
|
Quiz 3 Fall 2011 solution(The wrong answer is circled in III-2; the gate is a NOR), Quiz 4 Fall 2011 solution |
Spring 2011 |
|
Quiz 3 Spring 2011 solution (The answer to IV-c is correct but the
column labels are backwards. They should be in the order QD, QC, QB, QA, not alphabetical.), Quiz 4 Spring 2011 solution |
Fall 2010 |
|
Quiz 3 Fall 2010 solution, Quiz 4 Fall 2010 solution |
Spring 2010 |
|
Quiz 3 Spring 2010 solution, Quiz 4 Spring 2010 solution |
Spring 2009 |
|
Quiz 3 Spring 2009 solution, Quiz 4 Spring 2009 solution |
Fall 2008 |
|
Quiz 3 Fall 2008 solution, Quiz 4 Fall 2008 solution |
Spring 2008 |
|
Quiz 3 Spring 2008 solution, Quiz 4 Spring 2008 solution |
Fall 2007 |
|
Quiz 3 Fall 2007 solution, Quiz 4 Fall 2007 solution |
Five Questions each
worth about 20 points
Topic 1 -- Astable
Multivibrators (555-Timers)
- Be able to apply the equations for T1,
T2 and frequency given R1, R2 and C.
- Be able to find values of R1, R2 or C
given T1, T2 or frequency.
- Given a plot of the output of an astable multivibrator
circuit, be able to determine T1, T2, T and frequency. Also be
able to use these to find values for R1, R2 and/or C.
- Be able to find the equation for duty
cycle and understand how it is related to the resistor values.
- Be able to recognize the output plots
for pins 3(output), 2(trigger), 6(threshold) and 7(discharge).
Also know the pin names.
- Be able to sketch the output (3), the
capacitor voltage (2,6), and the discharge (pin 7) of a
555-timer circuit in astable mode
vs. time. If you are given values for R1, R2, C and the source
voltage, you should know the voltage range of the signals at
pin (2,6) and 3. You also be able to estimate the signal at
pin 7.
- Be able to find the decay constant for
the charge and discharge cycles of the capacitor in the astable miode
circuit.
- Understand how the pulses from an astable multivibrator
circuit can be used to do pulse width modulation.
Topic 2 -- Combinational Logic Circuits
- Be able to identify the following logic
gates: AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR (EOR), XNOR, NOT.
- Know the truth tables for the following
logic gates with up to four inputs: AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR
(EOR), XNOR, NOT.
- Be able to draw a truth table or timing
diagram for a digital circuit.
- Be able to recognize or sketch the output timing diagram of a digital
circuit.
- Know the PSpice
conventions for naming the input and output pins of logic
gates.
- Be able to use Boolean algebra to
describe the overall or relative function of a digital
circuit.
- Be able to simplify simple Boolean
algebra expressions.
- Be able to name a NAND gate or other
circuit as equivalent to one of the logic gates above.
Topic 3 -- Sequential Logic Circuits
- Be able to identify or sketch the output
of a counter or a J-K flip-flop.
- Be able to draw a truth table for a J-K
flip-flop.
- Understand how a flip-flop can be used
as a memory device.
- Understand how many bits each counter
has, what behavior each bit exhibits, and how to string
counters together to count higher.
- Know what the function of the clock is
in the flip flop and counter.
- Understand the effect of clock pulse
timing can have on flip-flop outcome.
- Understand the function of the clear
signal to counters and flip-flops.
- Know what a race condition is and how to
prevent one.
- Understand how to string flip-flops
together to make a counter.
- Be able to recognize or sketch the output timing diagram of a sequential
logic circuit given the clock signal.
- Understand what a clock is and what it
looks like in PSpice.
Topic 4 -- Schmitt Triggers and Comparators
- Understand the difference in function
between a comparator and a Schmitt trigger in the presence of
noise.
- Be able to sketch the output from a
comparator and Schmitt trigger from a given input.
- Be able to identify the point at which a
Schmitt trigger will switch when voltage is increasing and
decreasing.
- Be able to define hysteresis.
- Understand the relationship between
hysteresis and when a Schmitt trigger switches.
- Understand the model of a Schmitt
trigger explained in class and in your book. Be able to find
the switching thresholds and hysteresis of a circuit using
this model.
- Be able to determine hysteresis of a
Schmitt trigger from a plot of Vin vs. Vout
and/or Vout vs. time.
- Understand what saturation of an op-amp
is and how it relates to the function of comparators and
Schmitt triggers.
- Be able to recognize, identify, and
sketch traces from comparators and Schmitt triggers.
- Be able to calculate voltages at
different points in a switching circuit with comparators and
Schmitt triggers.
Topic 5 -- Switching Circuits
- Know how to model a transistor as a
switch.
- Know how to draw the "diode" model of a
transistor.
- Be able to define and identify the base,
emitter and collector of a transistor.
- Be able to recognize, identify, and
sketch traces from a simple circuit involving transistors,
comparators, Schmitt triggers and/or relays.
- Be able to redraw a simple circuit using
the switch or diode model of a transistor.
- Be able to redraw and analyze a circuit
when a relay is in either position.
- Be able to calculate voltages at
different points in a simple switching circuit.
- Be able to identify a combinational
logic gate given a simple transistor model.
Topic 6 -- Diodes:
Rectifier Circuits and Limiter Circuits
- Understand the i-v characteristic curve
for diodes (and Zener diodes).
Know the terminology and characteristics.
- Be able to recognize full-wave
rectifiers, half-wave rectifiers, smoothing circuits,
regulators and limiters (clippers) from their circuits or
characteristic plots.
- Understand the effect that the threshold
voltage of the diode(s) has on output of the above circuits.
- Understand how the output of the above
circuits would look for signals with input voltages of
different amplitudes.
- Be able to sketch a plot of the output
voltage vs. the input voltage for the above circuits.
Topic 7 -- Zener
Diodes
- Understand the effect Zener diodes have in a limiter or
voltage regulator.
- Know how to interpret output plots for
inputs of different voltage levels in circuits involving Zener diodes.
- Be able to determine output voltage
levels for different input voltages in a Zener
diode circuit.
- Understand the i-v characteristic curve
for and Zener diodes. Know the
terminology and characteristics.
- Be able to approximately reproduce or
identify the plots Zener diode
voltage regulation. Note that both DC sweep and transient
analysis were asked for.
Topic 8 -- LEDs
and Phototransistor Circuits
- Understand the proper configuration of LEDs in circuits and how they operate.
- Understand the proper configuration of
phototransistors in circuits and their operation.
- Be able to calculate voltages and
currents in circuits containing these devices.
Topic 9 -- Circuit Functionality: Signal
Modulation and Filtering
- Be able to identify blocks in a circuit.
- Circuit blocks you have seen
- Basic Circuits (voltage dividers,
components in series and in parallel, resistance bridges)
- Filters (low pass, high pass, band
pass, band reject)
- Transformers
- Op-Amp Amplifiers (inverting,
non-inverting, adder, differential)
- Voltage followers (also called
buffers)
- Op-Amp integrators and
differentiators
- 555-Timer (astable,
monostable, modulator)
- Logic gates (AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XOR,
XNOR. NOT) sequential logic (counters and flip flops)
- Comparators and Schmitt triggers
- Transistors
- Diodes (half wave rectifier, full
wave rectifier, limiter, regulation)
- Zener
diodes (limiter, voltage regulation)
- Voltage sources (DC, AC, square
waves, triangular waves)
- Miscellaneous (dc-blocking
capacitors, by-pass capacitors, speakers)
- Be able to identify blocks identify or
infer the output of a circuit block given the input.
- Be able to determine the behavior of a
circuit block. (ie. This block is
an inverting amplifier. The feedback resistor is 20k. The
input resistor is 1K. It will invert the input and multiply it
by a factor of 20.)
- Be able to infer how a circuit block
will behave at certain frequencies. (i.e. I know the corner
frequency of this low pass filter is fc=1/(2pRC). If I substitute in
the component values I get fc =
5K Hz. If the input frequency is 20K hertz, the filter should
block the input entirely and the output should be zero. If the
input frequency is 1K Hz, the filter should allow the input to
pass and the output will be equal to the input.)
Digital skills
- Know which voltage levels correspond to
ON and OFF in Digital Electronics.
- Review the binary numbering system.
- Be able to convert between decimal and
binary and back.
Review Sessions
Quiz reviews are
available online (YouTube & LMS) with easiest access
through the Lecture
page.
Crib Sheet
The
following crib sheet will be provided. This one too. You will
also receive a copy of the crib sheets for quizzes 1 and 2.