Electronics (A-level only) – A Level AQA Physics revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Electronics (A-level only) covers Discrete semiconductor devices (A-level only), Analogue and digital signals (A-level only), Analogue signal processing (A-level only), and Operational amplifier in: in A Level AQA Physics. 34 lessons in 6 subtopics.
Revise Electronics (A-level only) for A Level AQA Physics, including Discrete semiconductor devices (A-level only). 34 lessons across 6 subtopics.
34
Lessons
6
Subtopics
What this topic covers
Electronics (A-level only) has 6 subtopics:
Discrete semiconductor devices (A-level only)
Analogue and digital signals (A-level only)
Analogue signal processing (A-level only)
Operational amplifier in:
Digital signal processing (A-level only)
Data communication systems (A-level only)
Electronics (A-level only) lessons by subtopic
34 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Discrete semiconductor devices (A-level only)
Zener Diode Characteristics and Operation: Explore the characteristic curve of a Zener diode, its breakdown voltage, minimum operating current, and the roles of the anode and cathode.
Photodiode Characteristics and Operation: Explore the characteristic curves and spectral response of photodiodes, and understand their use in photoconductive mode for optical detection.
MOSFET Structure and Characteristics: Explore the structure, components, and characteristics of MOSFETs. Learn about drain, source, gate, VDS, VGS, IDSS, and Vth.
Hall Effect Sensor Applications: Explore the applications of Hall effect sensors, including their use as magnetic field sensors for monitoring attitude and in tachometers.
Analogue and digital signals (A-level only)
Analogue to Digital Conversion: The Basics: Explore the fundamental concepts of analogue to digital conversion, including sampling, quantisation, and the binary system.
Digital Sampling: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Noise: Evaluate the pros and cons of digital sampling, and analyse the effects of noise and recovery of original data from noisy signals. Consider data collection through sensors.
Energy Response and Q Factor: Explore the energy response curve of an LC circuit and understand the Q factor, relating it to bandwidth.
Op-Amp Fundamentals: Explore the basics of operational amplifiers, including power supply, signal connections, and the characteristics of an ideal op-amp.
Op-Amp Transfer Function and Comparator: Learn about the open-loop transfer function of a real op-amp and its use as a comparator, understanding its role as a system building block.
Operational amplifier in:
Inverting Amplifier: Gain and Virtual Earth: Learn about the inverting amplifier configuration, including the derivation of the gain formula and the concept of virtual earth.
Non-Inverting Amplifier Gain: Learn about the gain equation for a non-inverting amplifier configuration and understand that its derivation is not required.
Real Op-Amps: Limitations & Frequency Response: Explore the limitations of real operational amplifiers and understand the frequency response curve, covering spec points 3.13.4.4.1 and 3.13.4.4.2.
Gain × Bandwidth = Constant: Learn about the gain × bandwidth product and its implications for operational amplifier circuits, covering spec point 3.13.4.4.3.
Digital signal processing (A-level only)
Logic Gates and Boolean Algebra: Introduction to Boolean algebra, truth tables, and fundamental logic gates (AND, OR, NOT) and their corresponding mathematical representations.
Advanced Logic Gates and Circuit Design: Exploration of NAND, NOR, and EOR gates, combining logic gates in circuits, and designing circuits from truth tables.
Introduction to Astables: Learn about astables as oscillators and key terms like clock rate, pulse width and duty cycle.
Frequency Control in Astables: Explore how the running frequency of an astable can be varied using an external RC network.
Binary, BCD, and Johnson Counters: Explore the functionality and differences between binary, BCD, and Johnson counters in sequential logic circuits.
Modulo-n Counters and Gate Building Blocks: Understand how to create a modulo-n counter from a basic counter using logic gates and explore their function as building blocks.
Data communication systems (A-level only)
AM and FM Modulation: Principles and Bandwidth: Explore the fundamental principles of Amplitude Modulation (AM) and Frequency Modulation (FM), including carrier waves, information signals, and bandwidth requirements.
Transmission Media: Wires, Fibres & Radio: Explore different transmission media including metal wires, optic fibres, and electromagnetic waves (radio, microwave). Investigate ground waves, sky wave refraction/reflection and diffraction of long-wavelength radiation. Discuss advantages and disadvantages considering data rate, cost and security.
Satellite Systems and Frequencies: Examine satellite communication systems, typical transmission frequencies, and the necessity of different frequencies for up- and down-links to prevent receiver desensitization. Delve into the benefits and drawbacks of satellite communication.
More in this course
Go back to the full A Level AQA Physics topic list, or practise this topic with past-paper questions.
Electronics (A-level only) covers Discrete semiconductor devices (A-level only), Analogue and digital signals (A-level only), Analogue signal processing (A-level only), and Operational amplifier in: in A Level AQA Physics. 34 lessons in 6 subtopics.
What is pulse code modulation?
Pulse code modulation (PCM) is a method of digitally encoding an analogue signal. The Sampling Rate and Quality in Digital Conversion notes cover this in full.
What is an XOR gate?
An XOR (exclusive OR) gate outputs 1 when its inputs are different and 0 when they are the same, either both 0 or both 1. The Logic Gates and Boolean Algebra notes cover this in full.
What is signal-to-noise ratio?
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a measure of how strong the wanted signal is compared with the noise. The Introduction to Communication Systems notes cover this in full.
What is a Hall effect sensor?
A Hall effect sensor is a semiconductor device that produces a measurable output voltage when a magnetic field passes through it; the stronger the field, the larger the output signal. The Hall Effect Sensor Applications notes cover this in full.
What is analogue to digital conversion?
Analogue-to-digital conversion turns a continuously varying voltage into digital data in three stages: sampling the voltage at regular time intervals, quantising each sample to the nearest discrete level, and encoding each level as a binary number sent as high and low voltage pulses. The Analogue to Digital Conversion: The Basics notes cover this in full.
What is clock rate?
Clock rate is the frequency of a clock signal, the number of complete HIGH-LOW cycles per second, measured in hertz: f = 1/T. The Introduction to Astables notes cover this in full.
What is bit depth?
Bit depth is the number of bits used to represent each sample when an analogue signal is digitised. The Sampling Rate and Quality in Digital Conversion notes cover this in full.
What is sampling rate?
Sampling rate is the number of amplitude measurements taken per second from an analogue signal, measured in hertz. The Sampling Rate and Quality in Digital Conversion notes cover this in full.