The course will cover:
• The electronic circuit requirements of a number of space instruments;
• Examples of circuits such as differential amplifiers for very high common mode voltages, charge and pulse
shaping amplifiers, current to voltage amplifiers, bootstrapping and guards, high voltage and switch mode
power supplies;
•The construction, operation and characteristics of semiconductor devices such as bipolar and field effect
transistors, CMOS devices, CCD and CMOS arrays and the use of silicon on insulator technology;
•The effect of space radiation on semiconductor materials and devices and the resulting change in
characteristics and damage including single event upsets, total dose effects and component failure;
• The necessity for suitable screening, grounding and electromagnetic compatibility in a space system.
Outcome:
On completion of the course the student shall have the
skills and knowledge to be able to:
• Describe the requirements of electronic circuits required for a number of space instruments;
• Analyze and measure the characteristics and limitations of circuits used to meet the demands of space
instrumentation;
• Describe the construction and operation of semiconductor devices and the effects that space radiation has on
their characteristics and to design circuits to protect them.
After the lab activities, the students will be able to:
• Work in a standard electronics lab, cooperate with other students in undertaking practical lab activities,
• demonstrate the skills to write technical reports in English.
