Award in Design Construction and Testing of Electronic Circuits

Design Construction and Testing of Electronic Circuits forms part of the Course in Electrical / Electronics Technology.

This is a 60 hr guided learning course.  Students need to invest further hours which will include private study and home assignments.

Lessons are held as indicated on the prospectus and website.

The main objective of this unit is to equip students with the necessary skills to effectively construct electronic circuits. Students will be introduced to schematic capture, simulation and computer aided design of electronic circuits, Printed Circuit board design and manufacture, assembly and testing of electronic circuits.

Learning Outcome 1: Use of CAD for schematic capture and circuit simulation

Unit Content

1.1.     Introduction to schematic capture software

1.2.     Orientation to user interface, commands and toolboxes

1.3.     Introduction to datasheets and component selection

1.4.     Component placing, rotation and editing

1.5.     Circuit wiring and conventions

1.6.     Part labeling

1.7.     Block editing and copying functions

1.8.     I/O and bus wiring

1.9.     New device creation

1.10. Circuit simulation

1.11. Virtual instrumentation

1.12. Basic graph plotting and simple circuit analysis 

Learning Outcome 2: Design printed circuit boards to required specifications

Unit Content

2.1.  Overview of Layout design software

2.2.     Orientation to user interface, commands and toolboxes

2.3.     Environmental settings and design rules

2.4.     Introduction to netlisting and manual component selection

2.5.     Component placing, rotation and editing

2.6.     Manual and auto-routing

2.7.     Part labeling

2.8.     Block editing and copying functions

2.9.     3D visualization

Learning Outcome 3: Explain the processes involved in the manufacturing of PCBs

Unit Content

3.1.  Workshop safety and materials handling – MSDS

3.2.         PPE and safety precautions during PCB manufacturing

3.3.         Introduction to PCB manufacturing processes

3.4.         Photosensitive and Copper Clad PCBs

3.5.         Film or transparency production

3.6.         UV Exposure and image development process

3.7.         Cleaning and Etching processes

3.8.         CAD-CAM and automated processes

3.8.1.         CNC Drilling

3.8.2.         Isolation Routing

3.8.3.         Through-Hole Plating (THP)

3.8.4.         Bubble, Spray and Conveyorised Etching

3.8.5.         Introduction to Multilayer PCBs

Learning Outcome 4: Assemble and test electronic circuits

Unit Content

4.1. Safe handling of tools and equipment

4.2. PPE and safety precautions during PCB assembly

4.3. Board population

4.4. Soldering techniques for Trough-Hole and Surface Mount devices

4.5. De-soldering and re-work

4.6. Circuit Testing

4.6.1      Testing and debugging techniques

4.6.2      Use of Test Equipment:

4.6.2.1.    CRO,

4.6.2.2.    Multimeter,

4.6.2.3.    Function generator

4.6.2.4.    Logic Probe

4.6.2.5.    Logic clip

4.6.2.6.    Logic Analyser

4.6.3.    Measurement & testing

4.6.3.1.    Voltage, current and resistance measurements

4.6.3.2.    Waveforms

4.6.3.3.    Timing diagrams

The following are the suggested pre-requisites and/or entry requirements needed:

Pre-requisites:

• Good Knowledge of English, Basic Mathematics.

1. 4.   Will I achieve any qualifications or obtain any certificates?

Course participants may be awarded either an MCAST Certificate of Attendance or an MCAST Certificate of Achievement.

MCAST Certificate of Attendance

• An MCAST Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to those candidates who attend at least 80% of the lessons.

MCAST Certificate of Achievement

• An MCAST Certificate of Achievement will be awarded to those candidates who satisfy the 80% attendance criteria and also choose to sit and pass the course assessment/s.

• Students who opt not to sit for the assessment or fail (the assessment/s) will however be awarded the MCAST Certificate of Attendance provided that they fulfill the minimum attendance criteria as stated above.

If the student intends to obtain a Certificate of Achievement, she/he is required to sit for an assessment/s.  Assessment/s may take various forms such as a home assignment, class assignment, practical test and time constrained test.  However, the assessment/s is not compulsory and an applicant may choose not to sit for it.

There are no additional costs or special materials/equipment to bring,