
Electronics
The Electronics training series is designed to help trainees understand the basics of electronic systems, especially those used in industry. Each course lays the foundation for the trainee’s work with electronic building blocks, from simple diodes to complex ICs. The training series explains how semiconductor devices work and how components are combined to perform tasks, including amplification, oscillation, and signal and power supply regulation. It emphasizes good practices to keep systems running as they should and proper methods for troubleshooting and repair if they do not. The final course provides the foundation for an understanding of how logic circuits work. It progresses from simple Boolean logic functions-AND, OR, NOT, NAND, and NOR gates-to applications in today’s common logic systems.
Unit 251: Semiconductors ($100)
Covers the theory behind semiconductor operation. Describes the characteristics and operation of various diodes and transistors. Stresses the importance of proper environmental conditions and explains how to minimize electrostatic discharge (ESD) and radio frequency interference (RFI). Discusses printed circuit board (PCB) and integrated circuit (IC) technology, including connection and replacement methods. Identifies kinds of semiconductor packages. Explains how to interpret manufacturers’ spec sheets and how to analyze circuit performance by Q points and characteristics.
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Semiconductors
Lesson 2 – Environmental Conditions
Lesson 3 – Printed Circuit Boards
Lesson 4 – Transistors and Integrated Circuits
Lesson 5 – Packages and Performance Analysis
Unit 252: Power Supplies ($100)
Covers the four basic kinds of power supply conversions. Explains how to work with nonchemical cells as well as primary and secondary cells of various materials. Describes in detail the functions and operation of several kinds of rectifiers, filters, and voltage regulators and explains how they work together as power conditioners. Discusses basic tools, test devices, and procedures for troubleshooting to solve the greatest number of problems in the least amount of time.
Lesson 1 – Power Supplies and Power Conditioners
Lesson 2 – Cells and Batteries
Lesson 3 – Rectifiers
Lesson 4 – Filters
Lesson 5 – Voltage Regulators
Lesson 6 – Troubleshooting Power Supplies
Unit 253: Amplifiers ($100)
Covers the effects of gain, bandwidth, and distortion on amplifier performance. The course compares linear and non-linear (switching) amplifiers. Explains how to use transistor curves to analyze amplifier operation in terms of operating regions, load lines, operating (Q) points, and biasing. The course discusses impedance matching and compares capacitive, transformer, and direct-coupled amplifiers. Describes many ways op amps are used today, including integrators and comparators. Provides specific methods for troubleshooting common amplifier problems that maintenance technicians should be familiar with when working with electronics.
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Amplifiers
Lesson 2 – Single-Stage Amplifiers
Lesson 3 – Amplifier Performance and Multistage Amplifiers
Lesson 4 – Op Amps
Lesson 5 – Troubleshooting Amplifiers
Unit 254: Oscillators ($100)
Covers how oscillation is started and maintained. Compares LC (tuned), RC (phase-shift), and crystal oscillators. Compares sine-wave oscillators and square-wave switching circuits. Discusses monostable, astable, and bistable flip-flop operation in detail and shows expected waveforms. Explains how logic clocks are generated and conditioned. Discusses Schmitt trigger circuits, frequency dividers, and ripple counters, as well as propagation delays and glitches. Describes the operation of low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-reject filters, including differentiators and integrators. Describes the equipment and procedures for troubleshooting oscillator components and circuits.
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Oscillators
Lesson 2 – Flip-Flops
Lesson 3 – Logic Clocks
Lesson 4 – Filters and Waveforms
Lesson 5 – Troubleshooting Oscillators