Module: Circuits Analysis Techniques

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Circuits Analysis Techniques
Module Code	EEN1018 (ITS: EE203)
Faculty	Electronic Engineering	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to systematic techniques for analysing circuits/networks of passive electronic components, starting with resistors and graduating to capacitors and conductors with sinusoidal time-varying signals, as well as dependent voltage and current sources. The calculation of energy and power values in circuits will be developed, as will the analysis and application of non-linear circuits using diodes for clipping, rectification and regulation applications. The emphasis should be on depth of understanding of the tools rather than complexity of the circuits, with the associated development of the ability to identify the appropriate method/tools to solve problems in this engineering domain. An overall ethos will be to tie theoretical analysis to practical implementation and measurement, at all stages of development.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyse linear RLC circuits.
2. Perform transient analysis of first and second-order circuits.
3. Analyse basic nonlinear circuits.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture
Laboratory	8	Laboratory
Independent Study	93	Study of materials, preparation time for assignment work, write-up time, study for class tests, laboratory access and equipment will also be available during this time.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10643	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Leah Ridgway	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Build, test and simulation exercise. Three exercises with deliverables distributed through the semester. Each assignment contributes 12%.	36%	n/a
Loop Quiz	Loop-based test of ability to analyze circuits using the tools learned in the module. Designed to provide feedback in student exam preparation taking place towards the end of the semester.	14%	n/a
Formal Examination	End of semester formal examination.	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Revision and Revisioning
Review and expansion of circuit theory ideas met in EEG1004 Introduction to Electronics or similar, including (i) Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff's Voltage and Current Laws; nomenclature/typography/symbology/units for electrical variables; significant figures for electrical qualities;(ii) the characteristics of resistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes; (iii) series and parallel combinations of resistors, potential dividers, and the concepts of equivalent and default circuit configurations; (iv) ideas of work, power, and energy; (v) characteristics of ideal and real voltage and current sources, and characteristics of ideal and real conductors and insulators; (vi) ‘through’ vs ‘across’ variables.

Superposition
The concept of linear systems; the Principle of Superposition for linear systems; its use for the analysis of linear circuits with multiple current/voltage sources, with a brief mention of its relationship to Fourier and Green’s function analysis.

Loop and Nodal analysis of Resistive Circuit Networks
Kirchhoff's Current Law for the sum of currents at circuit nodes and Kirchhoff's Voltage Law for the sum of voltages around a circuit loop; standard network topologies; bridge circuits including the Wheatstone bridge; ladder and infinite circuit topologies.

Sinusoidal Analysis of RLC circuits
The response of resistors, capacitors and inductors to sinusoidal voltage and current sources; phasor representations of components and circuits subject to sinusoidal sources; power in AC circuits.

Dependent voltage and current sources
The role and operation of dependent voltage and current sources; analysis of circuits containing dependent voltage and current sources; formulaic relationships between connected and disconnected circuit parts as an adjunct to basic circuit analysis; examples of the use of dependent sources to model transistors and motors.

Energy and Power Analysis of Circuits
Components that store and dissipate energy in electric circuits; energy port view of electric circuits, and power as the product of voltage difference and current flowing; quantifying the flow, storage and dissipation of electrical energy.

Diodes and non-linear Circuits
Ideal and real diode characteristics; the design of circuits involving diodes including LEDs; non-linear circuits with diodes for the purposes of clipping and rectification of AC signals (including bridge rectifiers), and regulation of supply/reference voltages; voltage multiplier ladder circuits.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Neil Storey: 2009, Electronics, 5th, Pearson Education, 828, 9780273719182
Allan R. Hambley: 2018, Electrical Engineering: Principles & Applications, Global Edition, Pearson Higher Ed, 9781292223209

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None