Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science I

Circuit Abstractions

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Session Overview

In this session, we use what we’ve learned in the previous two sessions to allow even further circuit abstraction. We’ll learn about Thevenin equivalence (as well as Norton equivalence) and superposition. Thevenin equivalence supplies a discipline for abstracting complex systems down into simple, equivalent representations, typically in order to substitute the simple representation back into a larger circuit. Superposition allows us to solve circuits more quickly (and for some, more intuitively). The overview handout provides a more detailed introduction, including the big ideas of the session, key vocabulary, what you should understand (theory) and be able to do (practice) after completing this session, and additional resources. Session 9 Handout: Circuit Abstractions (PDF)

Session Content

Readings

Review chapter 6 of the course notes.

• Chapter 6: Circuits (PDF)

Lecture Video

Watch the lecture video. The handout and slides present the same material, but the slides include answers to the in-class questions.

• Lecture 9: Circuit Abstractions

About this Video

This lecture covers other ways of achieving modularity in circuit design. If a circuit only contains linear elements, then it can be represented by a Thevenin or Norton equivalent circuit, and superposition can be used.

• Lecture handout (PDF)
• Lecture slides (PDF)

Recitation Video

These videos have been developed for OCW Scholar, and are designed to supplement the lecture videos.

• Recitation 12: Thevenin/Norton Equivalence and Superposition

Session Activities

The problems in the tables below are taken from the 6.01 Online Tutor, an interactive environment that is not available on OCW. Do not try to answer these questions in the PDF files; answers will not be checked, and cannot be submitted.

Software Lab

• Software Lab 9: Real Gain (PDF)
• Code for Software Lab 9 (ZIP) (This ZIP file contains: 1 .py file.)

Design Lab

• Design Lab 9: A Real Head-Turner (PDF)
• Code for Design Lab 9 (ZIP) (This ZIP file contains:1 .py file.)

Additional Exercises

The optional questions (10.3.6-10.3.9) are provided as additional preparation for Midterm Exam 2.

PROBLEM #	QUESTIONS
9.3.1	Thevenin equivalents (PDF)
9.3.2	Thevenin practice (PDF)
9.3.3	More Thevenin (PDF)
9.3.4	Thevenin divider (PDF)
10.3.6	Subtraction action [optional] (PDF)
10.3.7	Op-amp [optional] (PDF)
10.3.8	Op-amp [optional] (PDF)
10.3.9	Endless summer [optional] (PDF)

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