Electronics Technician Curriculum Details

Objectives:

• Study rectification.
• Learn how different types of power supplies work, and learn some of the important troubleshooting techniques that are used to keep them in operation.
• Read about how to determine the current in a diode circuit.
• Understand how power supply components are selected.
• Explore alternate methods that can be used to determine the current in a circuit.

Objectives:

• Explore amplifiers and how they’re a fundamental component of the communications process.
• Learn how most acts of communication require one or more amplifiers.
• Understand how electronic circuits perform this important function.
• Read about the process of combining relatively simple circuits into complex configurations, including the problems encountered in this kind of combination and their solutions.

Objectives:

• Learn how the oscillator plays a wide-ranging role in contemporary electronics.
• Discover that the oscillator can handle demands for low-frequency, intermediate-frequency, or high-frequency signals.
• Explore how the oscillator can produce one of a variety of output waveforms, depending on its configuration.
• Read about how this flexibility makes the oscillator very useful in a host of products, ranging from radios and television sets to computers.

Objectives:

• Survey the field of optoelectronics.
• Read about how optoelectronics is a recent high-technology branch of electronics.
• Discover that optoelectronics includes the many applications of lasers, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and light-activated diodes (LADs).
• Read about components that do similar jobs in different ways.

Objectives:

• Read about how electronic sensors are used to collect and process both physical and chemical information.
• Learn how electronic instrumentation is increasingly exploited by industry to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Explore how certain electronic components are used as sensors and as parts in instrumentation and control systems.

Objectives:

• Learn how modulation and demodulation (or detection) are two of the functions that make electronic communications both possible and practical.
• Discover that without modulation, the countless transmissions in the air would be utterly out of control.
• Read about how demodulation is the final link in the information transmission “chain,” which includes recording, modulation, transmission, reception, and demodulation.

Objectives:

• Study several electronic devices used in industrial electronic systems.
• Become familiar with their circuits and other characteristics.
• Get an in-depth view of the subject of amplification, including a detailed examination of the nature of amplification and the various types of industrial amplifiers.
• Learn about electronics diagrams that will prepare you to sketch, use, and interpret diagrams in your daily work.

Objectives:

• Learn about the basic controls and functions of an oscilloscope.
• Study the component parts and features of a standard, dual-trace oscilloscope.
• Read about the use of the front panel controls of an oscilloscope.
• Learn how to connect an oscilloscope to a circuit, how to perform measurements, and how to use an oscilloscope to troubleshoot industrial systems.

Objectives:

• Study audio frequency (AF), radio frequency (RF), and direct current (DC) signal transmission.
• Learn about telephone systems, hard-wired systems, and fiber-optic systems.
• Explore the sound systems used in industrial plants and about tone signaling.

Objectives:

• Learn about oscillator circuits.
• Discover how oscillators are used in transmitters, receivers, mainframe computers, microprocessors, and signal generators.
• Study how feedback is obtained in an oscillator.
• Recognize several different waveforms, and explain how they’re created.

Objectives:

• Read about how all electrical and electronic systems require a power source.
• Discover that in order for an electronic device or system to work, the AC input power must be converted to DC.
• Study the basic operation of DC and AC conversion equipment.
• Explore some of the basic components and circuits that are used to produce DC power from available AC input sources.

Objectives:

• Learn about the conditions necessary for series and parallel resonance.
• Calculate the resonant frequency of an LC (inductive-capacitive) circuit.
• Calculate the value of the quality factor Q.
• Describe the relationship between Q and bandwidth.

Objectives:

• Study the characteristics of basic filters.
• Read about the Q factor of a filter.
• Learn about filter applications.
• Explore transmission lines and waveguides.

Objectives:

• Learn how to calculate the rise time of a pulse or square wave from an oscilloscope display.
• Study what a glitch is, and understand its effect on digital circuits.
• Measure pulse width and settling time.
• Determine pulse repetition rate from the period of a pulse waveform.
• Explain the difference between frequency and time domains.
• Understand how Fourier analysis is used to explain the makeup of various waveforms.

Objectives:

• Determine the voltage across a charging or discharging capacitor at any instant of time.
• Calculate the current through an RL circuit.
• Learn about time constants and the relationship between time-constant and integrating or differentiating circuits.
• Explore the operation of multivibrators.
• Read about Schmitt triggers.

Objectives:

• Learn about the difference between a clipper and a limiter.
• Recognize a baseline stabilizer capable of stabilizing to zero volts.
• Explain how a waveform can be clamped to a positive or negative voltage.
• Discover why a doc (direct-current) restorer circuit is sometimes needed.
• Study the clamping circuit and the saw maker circuit.
• Explain how amplifiers change the characteristics of a pulse.

Objectives:

• Explore timers and how they’re used in spot welders.
• Learn about other applications of timers.
• Explain the purpose of each internal part of the 555 IC (integrated-circuit) timer.
• Learn how counters are used for timing.
• Explain how a one-shot multivibrator can be used.
• Compare the 555 and 3905 IC timers.

Objectives:

• Study the modifications of a basic timing circuit.
• Learn how the 555 timer can be used in various applications.
• Describe how pulses are used for measuring both voltage and capacity.
• Learn how switching regulators work in power-supply systems.

Objectives:

• List the characteristics of pulses to be tested.
• Compare the troubleshooting of pulse circuits with that of other systems.
• Determine which part of digital and pulse circuits to test first in quick troubleshooting procedures.
• Explain the use of logic analyzers and the purpose of single-step testing.
• Learn about the troubleshooting techniques for a microprocessor system.

Objectives:

• Learn the terms commonly used in electronic logic.
• Identify the symbols of electronic logic in system diagrams.
• Explain those simple logic circuits used in industrial machinery.
• Learn how to draw simple logic diagrams, and interpret those that others have drafted.
• Recognize the logic circuits that use discrete components.
• Read about Boolean logic.

Objectives:

• Explain the binary numbering used by computers and digital electronics equipment.
• Learn about hexadecimal notation and octal numbers.
• Count in binary, octal, and hexadecimal numbers and perform simple calculations.
• Convert values from one number system to another.
• Explain the main advantage of the binary-coded decimal (BCD) system as compared with the ordinary binary number system.

Objectives:

• Draw logic diagrams that conform to a desired logic function.
• Define Boolean variables, terms, and expressions.
• Trace logic circuitry through gates, whether they're discrete or parts of ICs.
• Figure out the logic equivalents for complex logic circuits.
• Simplify logic circuitry through Karnaugh mapping.
• Recognize those binary patterns that produce a particular result in logic circuitry.
• Compile truth tables for complex logic functions.

Objectives:

• Study the major families of digital logic ICs.
• Identify a logic family from its operating parameters.
• Describe IC packaging for logic components.
• Understand such logic-device qualities as noise immunity and noise margin.
• Explain the meaning of fan-in and fan-out.
• Interpret specification sheets for logic ICs.

Objectives:

• Learn about the functions of digital circuits composed of simple logic gates.
• Design a simple binary ladder for digital-to-analog conversion.
• Compile truth tables for sequential logic devices.
• Recognize the diagram symbols for various types of flip-flops.
• Read timing diagrams for flip-flops and counters.
• Explain registers, counters, decoders, and multiplexers.
• Discover how logic registers perform arithmetic operations.

Objectives:

• Identify expected logic levels by measuring DC supply voltages.
• List key specifications for logic circuit test equipment.
• Trace logic functions with a logic probe, and identify errors.
• Learn how to use an oscilloscope as a logic tracer.
• Describe the fundamental operations of a logic analyzer.
• Wire up a logic probe of your own.
• Calculate approximate frequency of a digital signal from oscilloscope readings.
• Learn about replacing MOS (metal-oxide semiconductor) devices without damage to them or to the system equipment.

Objectives:

• Draw transfer curves for functions of both linear and digital devices.
• Explain the nature of analog operation, as compared to digital.
• Describe the operation and uses of Hall-effect devices.
• Identify circuits wired up from linear or digital ICs.
• Draw diagrams of common linear and digital circuit hookups.
• Recognize applications for the popular SSI (small-scale integration) and MSI (medium-scale integration) digital lCs.

Objectives:

• Name the materials and processes used in IC fabrication, and list their purposes.
• Locate the data you need in order to use ICs properly.
• Understand and use manufacturers' numbering systems.
• Explain the key parameters for most linear and digital IC devices.
• Discuss typical applications for digital and linear technologies.
• Describe the technologies incorporated in hybrid ICs.

Objectives:

• Diagram the concepts of sensing and process control with linear ICs.
• Recognize diagrams for common linear devices and functions.
• List several kinds of analog IC amplifiers.
• Describe the operation of a general-purpose op amp (operational amplifier).
• Explain how an active filter works.
• Follow the operation of a phase-locked-loop IC.

Objectives:

• Read logic diagrams for digital IC devices and functions.
• Explain the inputs and outputs of several digital ICs.
• Distinguish which kinds of latches or flip-flops an advanced IC uses.
• Differentiate between a shift register and a port register.
• Explain the difference between asynchronous and synchronous counters.
• Discuss the difference between bus drivers and display drivers.

Objectives:

• Interpret full-scale schematic diagrams for industrial equipment.
• Interchange digital devices in designs without destroying performance.
• Explain the kinds of buses used for industrial digital systems.
• List uses for logic gates in systems that perform industrial tasks.
• Relate digital systems to specific operations.

Objectives:

• Approach troubleshooting with a systems outlook.
• Verify inputs to linear and digital sections and subsystems.
• Use a digital multimeter appropriately in IC systems.
• Choose a proper instrument for each troubleshooting test.
• Identify IC and connector socket pins for troubleshooting.
• Interpret indications from a clip-on logic tester.
• Wire up test jigs that save troubleshooting time.
• Analyze oscilloscope waveforms in linear IC stages.

Objectives:

• Describe some of the limitations of early industrial computers.
• Explain how analog computers evolved and why their popularity waned.
• Learn about the differences in the ways analog and digital computers are used.
• Discover why digital computers have largely supplanted analog types.
• List some important manufacturing tasks undertaken by modern computers.

Objectives:

• Study the fundamental principles of digital and analog computer systems.
• Recognize commonly used analog computer diagram symbols, and explain their meanings.
• Describe the functioning of open and closed loops.
• Differentiate between switched and proportional-control schemes.
• Name several types of proportional-control arrangements.

Objectives:

• Describe those industrial systems that need software.
• List some of the sources of industrial software.
• Recognize the standard symbols used in industrial control diagrams.
• Explain how to use ladder logic, machine and assembly language, and BASIC.
• Learn how to layout simple control problems in terms of Boolean algebra.
• Write control algorithms in ladder logic.
• Use fundamental logic simplification techniques.

Objectives:

• Learn how to draw a block diagram of a CAD/CAM system.
• Describe the equipment needed for computer-aided graphics.
• Recognize CAD/CAM software.
• List some requirements for selecting a CAD or CAM system.
• Explain the benefits of computer aid in industrial operations.
• Cite applications for computer-aided design and drafting (CADD).

Objectives:

• List the services that interface devices perform.
• Describe the nature of serial and parallel data movements.
• Discuss methods for converting analog data to digital data.
• Explain signal conditioning.
• Draw an ordinary analog/digital control loop and identify its components.
• Describe the parity method of checking data transfers for errors.