MIT 6.

002 Circuits and Electronics

Lecture 1
Introduction to 6.002 Course
Discussion
Engineering, as defined by a MIT instructor, is the purposely use of science.
Engineering is making life simpler and making the full of everything in the things
that is present. From the complication in understanding the way nature do things to
simple principles that can be applied in general. That is how engineers see the
world; through simple abstractions they can completely make useful systems
without making mistakes even if they only use ideal principles.
From Physics laws and Maxwells equations, simple abstractions can be made
to improve the comprehension of the topics related to Electronics. Solving circuits
using Maxwells equations can be pretty hard but using discipline that can be
applied in general, circuits can be analysed using algebraic equations. Ignoring the
unnecessary details and focusing on the parameters needed to solve the problem in
an easier way. It is easier to use conventions that will help on simplifying equations.
Course Outline
1. Lumped Circuit Abstractions
2. Amplifier Abstractions
a. Digital
I.
Digital Abstractions
II.
Combination Logic Abstractions
III.
Clocked Digital Abstractions
IV.
Instruction Set Abstractions
V.
Languages
VI.
Software Systems
b. Analog
I.
Operational Amplifiers
II.
Analog System Components
Definition of terms and concepts

Point-mass Discretization a point that has a mass where the force is acting
on.
Lumped Circuit any object can be represented in its lumped circuit
equivalent. For example; a load can be represented by a resistor and sources
by its equivalent schematic voltage or current source.
Lumped Matter Discipline a convention of setting a discipline when
analysing a problem. For example; currents on a node can be summed up to
zero in an equation and voltages on a loop can be summed up to zero in an
equation. This discipline will help the observer to analyse the problem without
resorting to hard equations and will definitely result to a same answer.

Reference

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 6.002 Lecture Video no. 1

MIT 6.002 Circuits and Electronics

Lecture 2
Kirchoffs Voltage and Current laws, Element Simplification and Node Analysis
Discussion
In analysing circuit problems, it is necessary to know different techniques on
solving it. Three of these methods are Kirchoffs laws, Element Combination Rule
and the Node method. These methods are a huge leap from using Maxwells
equations to utilizing simple algebraic equations. Knowing to analyse the circuit by
inspection is a must for a good engineer, so these methods will help to achieve that
level of mastery.
Definition of terms and concepts

Node a point in circuit where components meet.

Loop a loop is a closed path in a circuit.
Analysis solving a circuit problem by finding the unknown parameters such
as voltages and currents.
Synthesis building a circuit given a function.
Conductance reciprocal of resistance.
Associate Variable Discipline assigning a variable to each parameter for
convenience.
Ground Node reference node. The potential at this node is zero.

Method 1 Kirchoffs Voltage and Current law

Kirchoffs Voltage Law states that the algebraic sum of all the voltages
around a closed loop is zero.
Kirchoffs Current Law states that the algebraic sum of all the currents
entering and leaving a node is zero.

Steps
I.
II.
III.

Identify all the element vis.

Apply KCL on all the nodes.
Apply KVL on all the loops.

Method 2 Element Combination Rule

Element Combination Rule it is a method simplifying components when

possible. It is reducing the components by replacing it with its equivalent
circuit.

Methods
I.

Resistor network in series can be simplified by summing up all the

resistors.
R = R1 + R2 + . + Rn

II.
III.

Resistors network in parallel can be simplified by summing up all its

conductance
G = G1 + G2 +. + Gn
Series voltage sources and parallel current sources can be simplified
by summing up all the sources.
V = V1 + V2 + Vn (series)
I = I1 + I2 . + In (parallel)

Method 3 Node Method

Node Method is an application of KVL and KCL. It is the most known circuit
analysis technique. The number of equations in Node method is n-1, being ns
the number of nodes.

Steps
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

Set a ground node for reference.

Label the nodes. eg. e.
Applying KCL to each of the nodes e.
Solve for the values of e.
Solve for the branch voltages and currents.

Reference

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 6.002 Lecture Video no. 2

MIT 6.002 Circuits and Electronics

Lecture 3
Superposition, Thevenin and Norton Theorems
Discussion
In this lecture, there three more methods of circuit analysis is discussed. The
Superposition theorem, where the analysis is dealt with one source at a time,
eliminating other sources before the analysis. It is a convenient method, because it
is often solved by using simple calculations without creating equations or such.
Then the results are summed up so it will reveal the total effect of all the sources to
each components in the circuit. Next is the Thevenins theorem. It states the any
complicated circuit can be represented by a source with a series resistance to a
load. It is a good way of seeing complex circuits because it will only deal with the
overall circuit effect on the load by representing it in just two parameters. Norton is
simply described as a current source with a parallel resistance.
Method 4 Superposition Theorem

Superposition Theorem it is a method of determining the output of a circuit

by getting the response of components on sources acting alone.

Steps
I.
II.
III.
IV.

Open all current sources that are not in use.

Short all voltage sources that are not in use.
Solve for the individual responses of the circuit with one source.
Sum all the responses to determine the overall response of the circuit.

Method 5 Thevenins Theorem

Thevenins Theorem every complex circuit can be represented by a single

voltage source with a series resistance with a load.

Steps
I.

II.

In getting the Thevenins Equivalent Resistance:

a. Open all current sources.
b. Short all voltage sources.
c. Get the equivalent resistance at the terminals where the load is
connected.
In getting the Thevenins Equivalent Voltage:
a. Calculate the voltage at the loads terminal.

Method 6 - Nortons Theorem

Nortons Theorem every complex circuit can be represented by a single

current source with a parallel resistance with a load.

Steps
I.

II.

In getting the Nortons Equivalent Resistance:

a. Open all current sources.
b. Short all voltage sources.
c. Get the equivalent resistance at the terminals where the load is
connected.
In getting the Nortons Equivalent Voltage:
a. Short the loads terminal.
b. Calculate the short circuit current at that terminal.

Reference

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 6.002 Lecture Video no. 3

MIT 6.002 Circuits and Electronics

Lecture 4
Digital Abstractions
Discussion
Digital Abstraction is way to deal with the complexity of dealing with the sine
function waveforms. It is hard to distinguish the information with a sine wave full of
noise. In Digital Abstraction it is simplified to only 1 and 0 values. It is also
noted as True and False and voltage values of 5V and 0V. Even in the
presence of noise it can differentiate the information because it has only two
possible values. If the value is within the High region it is decoded as 1 and
when in the Low region it is decoded as 0. Noise Margin can also help in better
transmission of information. In practical applications the sender has tougher set of
standards to follow than the receiver. The no mans region will set where the
sender can only send information. There are also digital devices that follow this
principle. They are called gates. A gate functions as a device where output can be
determine by the inputs or follow its specific truth table. Gates are common in the
digital field.
Definition of terms

Noise unwanted signal that is present in the transmission.

Logic Values High and Low or 1 and 0.
Noise Margin a margin where 1 and 0 to appear. Setting margins can
help for better noise immunity.
No mans region or the forbidden region a region created to further
restrict the transfer of information.
Static Discipline states that both sender and receiver must follow standards.
AND Gate If X is true and Y is true, then Z is true else Z is false.

Reference

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 6.002 Lecture Video no. 4

MIT 6.002 Circuits and Electronics

Lecture 5
Inside the Digital Gate
Discussion
A Pentium Microprocessor contains millions of gates. Gates is important in
analysing digital circuits. So understanding how gates works is necessary. In this
lecture, it discussed how gates work from the inside. Some of the examples is how
AND and OR gates work. The gate is made up of switches and resistors. The output
is determined by whether the switch is on or off. A transistor can be used as a
switch practically a MOSFET. MOSFET act as a switch in operation. MOSFET has
three terminals: drain, source, and gate terminals. MOSFET is a voltage controlled
device and in operation, gate to source voltage (VGS) determine whether there is a
flow of drain to source current (IDS). When VGS is above the threshold voltage it will
turn the MOSFET on else it is off. In an inverter, when the switch is on the output will
be 0 and when the switch is off the output will be 1. By manipulating the
configuration of switches, one can create different kind of gates and by connecting
gates, it can create other gates.
Definition of terms

NAND Gate complimentary to the AND gate.

OR Gate if one input is true then the Z is true else Z is false.
Inverter A is true then Z is false and vice versa.
Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) a type of FET
that behaves like a switch.

Reference

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 6.002 Lecture Video no. 5