Understand Electronic and Microcontroller Circuit Design and Simulation Course

Lesson 1 • Reading and Drawing Schematics

Teaches standard schematic symbols, conventions, and net labeling. Ensures students can interpret and produce professional circuit diagrams.

Lesson 2 • Capacitors and Inductors

Introduces energy-storage elements and their time-domain behavior. Connects passive component theory to transient circuit response.

Lesson 3 • Ohm's Law and DC Analysis

Applies Ohm's Law to resistive circuits and introduces series and parallel configurations. Provides the analytical toolkit for predicting circuit behavior.

Lesson 4 • Fundamental Electrical Quantities

Introduces voltage, current, resistance, and power as measurable quantities. Establishes the unit system and physical intuition needed for all circuit analysis ahead.

Lesson 1 • Operational Amplifier Fundamentals

Presents the ideal op-amp model and negative feedback analysis. Covers inverting, non-inverting, summing, and difference amplifier topologies.

Lesson 2 • Bipolar Junction Transistors

Explains BJT operation in cutoff, active, and saturation regions. Enables design of common-emitter amplifiers and transistor switch circuits.

Lesson 3 • Filters and Frequency Response

Introduces RC and op-amp active filters and Bode plot analysis. Connects frequency-domain thinking to signal conditioning applications.

Lesson 4 • Field-Effect Transistors

Introduces MOSFET and JFET operation, focusing on enhancement-mode MOSFETs used in digital and power circuits. Bridges analog and digital design contexts.

Lesson 1 • Counters, Registers, and State Machines

Applies flip-flops to build ripple counters, shift registers, and finite state machines. Prepares students for digital subsystem integration.

Lesson 2 • Sequential Logic and Flip-Flops

Introduces latches, D, JK, and T flip-flops and their timing diagrams. Connects state-holding elements to counter and register design.

Lesson 3 • Boolean Algebra and Logic Gates

Introduces Boolean laws, De Morgan's theorems, and standard gate symbols. Enables algebraic simplification of logic expressions before hardware implementation.

Lesson 4 • Number Systems and Binary Arithmetic

Covers binary, hexadecimal, and BCD representations and conversions. Provides the numerical foundation required for digital circuit and microcontroller programming.

Lesson 1 • Introduction to SPICE Simulation

Explains SPICE netlist syntax, component models, and simulation types. Establishes the workflow connecting schematic entry to simulation results.

Lesson 2 • DC Operating Point and Sweep Analysis

Covers .OP, .DC sweep, and parameter stepping to characterize circuit behavior across operating conditions. Validates biasing and transfer curves.

Lesson 3 • AC and Frequency-Domain Analysis

Uses .AC analysis to plot gain and phase versus frequency for filters and amplifiers. Enables Bode plot generation and bandwidth verification.

Lesson 4 • Component Models and Simulation Libraries

Teaches how to import manufacturer SPICE models and create custom subcircuits. Ensures simulation accuracy matches real-world component behavior.

Lesson 1 • Serial Communication Protocols

Covers UART, SPI, and I2C protocol operation and register configuration. Enables microcontroller communication with sensors, displays, and other devices.

Lesson 2 • Interrupts and Event-Driven Programming

Introduces interrupt vectors, priority levels, and ISR design patterns. Shifts programming model from polling to responsive event-driven architecture.

Lesson 3 • Timers, PWM, and Timing Control

Explains timer counter modes, prescalers, and PWM generation registers. Connects timing control to motor speed, LED dimming, and delay generation.

Lesson 4 • Microcontroller Architecture Overview

Maps CPU core, memory types, buses, and peripheral blocks of a typical microcontroller. Provides the mental model needed to write efficient embedded code.

Lesson 1 • Power Supply and Decoupling Design

Addresses voltage regulation, decoupling capacitor placement, and current budget planning. Ensures reliable microcontroller operation under varying load conditions.

Lesson 2 • Display and User Interface Peripherals

Covers character LCD, OLED, and seven-segment display interfacing via GPIO and I2C. Connects output peripherals to embedded system feedback loops.

Lesson 3 • Analog-to-Digital Conversion

Explains ADC resolution, sampling rate, reference voltage, and conversion modes. Connects analog sensor signals to digital processing pipelines.

Lesson 4 • Actuator and Motor Control

Introduces H-bridge motor drivers, servo control via PWM, and stepper motor sequencing. Enables closed-loop and open-loop motion control implementations.

Lesson 1 • Signal Integrity and EMC Basics

Introduces crosstalk, return current paths, and decoupling strategies for EMC compliance. Connects layout decisions to electromagnetic performance.

Lesson 2 • PCB Design Workflow and Tools

Introduces the schematic-to-layout workflow, layer stackup, and EDA tool environment. Establishes the process framework used throughout PCB design.

Lesson 3 • Component Footprints and Placement

Covers footprint creation, courtyard rules, and strategic component placement for signal flow. Reduces routing complexity and improves thermal management.

Lesson 4 • Routing Techniques and Trace Design

Teaches trace width calculation, via usage, and differential pair routing. Ensures electrical performance and manufacturability of routed connections.

Lesson 1 • System Validation and Documentation

Defines acceptance test procedures, regression testing, and technical documentation standards. Ensures the delivered system meets specifications and is maintainable.

Lesson 2 • Firmware Debugging and Optimization

Applies breakpoints, watchpoints, and printf-style tracing to isolate firmware defects. Connects debugging tools to systematic root-cause analysis.

Lesson 3 • Hardware Bring-Up and Bench Testing

Covers power-on sequencing, continuity checks, and initial firmware loading procedures. Establishes a safe and systematic hardware validation workflow.

Lesson 4 • System Architecture and Requirements

Defines system-level requirements, block diagrams, and interface specifications before implementation. Prevents design rework by aligning hardware and firmware early.