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 2023 Spring | | Quiz 1
2023 Spring solution
Quiz
1 2022 Fall
Quiz 1 2022
Fall solution
Quiz
1 2022 Spring | | Quiz 1
2022 Spring 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 2023 Spring | | Quiz 2
2023 Spring solution
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.
Spring 2023 |
Quiz 3 Spring 2023 |
Quiz 3 Spring 2023
solution |
Fall 2022 |
Quiz 3 Fall 2022 |
Quiz 3 Fall 2022
solution |
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.