Electronics Foundations: Semiconductor Devices

Discover how to build electronic circuits using three common types of semiconductor components: diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers.

Introduction

• Understanding semiconductor devices
• What you should know
• Use the exercise files
• Safety warnings

1. Diodes

• Semiconductor materials
• What is a diode?
• Diode characteristics

2. Diode Applications

• Rectify a signal
• Detect the signal peak
• Protect against large signals
• Protect against reverse current
• Protect against flyback voltage
• Challenge: Circuit protection
• Solution: Circuit protection

3. Special Purpose Diodes

• Light emitting diodes
• Photodiodes
• Zener diodes

4. Bipolar Junction Transistors

• What is a transistor?
• NPN bipolar junction transistors
• PNP bipolar junction transistors
• BJT characteristics

5. Transistor Applications

• Use a BJT as a switch
• Use a BJT as an amplifier
• Challenge: Motor control
• Solution: Motor control

6. Field-Effect Transistors

• Field-effect transistors
• Use a MOSFET as a switch
• BJT vs. MOSFET

7. Operational Amplifiers

• What is an operational amplifier?
• Feedback circuits
• Operational amplifier characteristics

8. Op-Amp Applications

• Compare signals
• Buffer signals
• Supply dual voltages
• Amplify signals
• Filter signals
• Combine signals
• Challenge: Audio equalizer
• Solution: Audio equalizer

Conclusion

• Continue your journey with electronics