1. RLC Load Characteristics and Modeling
During this course, we will examine:

• Capacitors and inductors
• Capacitive electrical components
• The fundamental physical and electrical properties of capacitors
• Two simple resistor and capacitor circuits
• Two examples of modeling loads in electrical circuits with resistors, capacitors, and inductors

• Similarities and differences of conductors, insulators, and semiconductors
• N-type and P-type semiconductors
• Diode
• Bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs)

• A more in-depth analysis into the operation of BJTs and MOSFETs
  While we will examine each of the two transistors separately, we will cover the same four topics for each:

1. Regions of operation
2. Control mechanism (current or voltage)
3. Equations and models
4. Simple circuits using the transistors

• A discussion of how many transistors can be manufactured in an integrated circuit
• An introduction of Moore's Law, which predicts the rate (and limits) of continued integration in semiconductor components
  

• Examine the concept of electrical power
• Learn about semiconductor junction temperature and explore how the junction temperature differs from other temperatures in an electrical system
• Examine thermal resistance and see how different packages vary in cooling a semiconductor component
• Discover several analogies between electrical and thermal parameters and electrical and thermal circuits

• The corollary between electrical parameters (voltage difference, current, electrical resistance and electrical capacitance) and thermal parameters (temperature difference, dissipated power, thermal resistance, and thermal capacitance)
• Developing the RC models that can be used for thermal analysis
• An introduction of the Zth diagram, how it is used, and perform transient thermal calculations
• An introduction of analyzing complex power waveforms by applying the superposition principle

• MOSFET basics
• Various driver topologies and how the MOSFET can be used as a solid state driver
• The topics of protected high side and low side drivers
• How a MOSFET is selected for driver applications
• How the minimum on state resistance (Rdson) of a MOSFET is determined for both static and switching applications
• The two special MOSFET driver applications
• The problems associated with driving both capacitive load and inductive loads

• The difference between a protected MOSFET high side and standard transistors
• An introduction to the various types of protection available in protected high side drivers
• Various diagnostic options available in protected MOSFET high side drivers
• How a protected MOSFET high side driver can be easily implemented in an application
• EMI issues that may arise and how they can be minimized
• A review of the questions a system designer should ask when implementing a protected MOSFET high side driver in their application

• A quick review of MOSFETs, and how a protected MOSFET low side driver differs from standard transistors
• An introduction to the various types of protection that are available in protected low side drivers and the various diagnostic options available in protected MOSFET low side drivers.
• Learn how a protected MOSFET low side driver can be easily implemented in an application.
• Examine what EMI issues may arise and how they can be minimized and identify how the functionality of the protected MOSFET low side driver can be improved with the addition of a few external components.
• Review what questions a system designer should ask when implementing a protected MOSFET low side driver in an application.

• "What is a power supply?" An introduction to two broad categories of voltage regulator power supplies–linear regulators and switching regulators, followed by details on each of these categories individually.
• Develop a simple functional diagram to explain the operation of a linear regulator.
• Examine the characteristics and auxiliary functions of linear regulators and briefly examine the different types of switching voltage regulators.
• An introduction of the characteristics unique to switching voltage regulators.
• When should a designer use a linear or switching regulator?

• A quick review of power supplies and conversion efficiency.
• Differences in the operation of linear voltage regulators and switching voltage regulators.
• Different types of switching voltage regulators.
• Examine the operation of one of the most common switching voltage regulators, the voltage step down (buck) switching voltage regulator. We will begin with a high-level overview of the operation, and then perform an intensive, step-by-step analysis of its workings.
• Examine the variables that go into tailoring a switching voltage regulator for each application, including the performance, size, and cost tradeoffs important to switching regulator design.

• An introduction to electrostatic discharge (ESD). We will discuss what ESD is and how it can damage semiconductor components. We will examine what integrated circuit designers can do to reduce the probability of ESD damage, and also what can be done on the system level.
• Learn about electrical over stress (EOS) and how it differs from ESD. We will examine common failure modes from EOS and show how these failures modes are distinct from typical ESD damage.
• What is a safe operating area (SOA)? The SOA is usually specified within a semiconductor datasheet. Strict adherence to operating a semiconductor device with its SOA will make every designer's life easier.

• Look at the various fabrication processes and how they differ.
• Examine the different packaging options available to all semiconductor components.
• An introduction to some of the basic requirements for testing semiconductor components.

• What is semiconductor reliability?
• The stress tests semiconductor manufacturers use to test their devices.

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14. Introduction to Motor Controls
During this course we will examine:

• Components of an electric motor.
• Different types of electric motors.
• Control of electric motors.

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