Electronic Circuits Tutorial

Electronic Circuits are the fundamental components of modern electronics and they are incorporated for powering a variety of devices and systems, ranging from personal devices to sophisticated automation systems used in industries.

Electronic circuits define and implement the specific functions in a device or system. For example, in a smartphone, when we tap the torch option on the screen, the responding electronic circuit carries electric power from battery to the flash light and turn it on.

A typical electronic circuit is nothing but an interconnected network of different energy-producing and energy-consuming devices.

In this comprehensive tutorial on Electronic Circuits, you will learn about different types of electronic circuits. This tutorial is designed for absolute beginners, hence anyone with basic reading skills and sprit to learn about electronic circuits can go through this tutorial. It is also a foundational course in the field of electronics and communication engineering.

Introduction to Electronic Circuits

An electronic circuit is a network of electronic components connected in a specified manner to perform a task/function. The main function of an electronic circuit is to control the flow of electric current from an energy giving device like battery to energy utilizing device like an LED. Electronic circuits are the fundamental building blocks of all electronic devices and systems, from a basic torch to computing and advanced robotic systems.

Different types of electronic circuits are designed and implemented by using components like batteries, resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, etc. to perform a wide range of functions.

Some common examples of electronic circuits that we see around us include mobile charger, electronic torch, amplifier, fan speed regulator, light dimmer, etc.

Types of Electronic Circuits

Depending on the design, functionality, or signals used, the electronic circuits can be classified into the following major types.

On the basis of Types of Singles, the electronic circuits are classified as Analog Circuits, Digital Circuits, and Mixed-Signal Circuits −

Analog Circuits − These circuits are designed to operate on continuous-time signals. Examples of analog circuits include audio amplifiers, radios, energy meters, etc.
Digital Circuits − These circuits are designed to operate on discrete-time (binary) signals. Examples of digital circuits are circuits used in mobile phones, computers, and digital communication systems.
Mixed-Signal Circuits − These are also known hybrid electronic circuits. These circuits are capable in handling both analog and digital signals. Examples of mixed-signal circuits include smartphones, laptops, smart energy meters, etc.

On the basis of Design, the following are the main types of electronic circuits −

Series Circuits− In these electronic circuits, the components are connected in a string and provides only a single path for current flow.
Parallel Circuits− These electronic circuits have components connected between two common nodes and across the power supply.
Series-Parallel Circuits− In these types of electronic circuits both series and parallel combinations of components are present.

On the basis of Functionality, the following are major types of electronic circuits −

Power Electronic Circuits − These electronic circuits are designed to handle large amount of power and used to control flow of electricity in high power circuits. Examples of these circuits include inverters, power supplies, converters, etc.
Signal Processing Circuits − These are the types of electronic circuits which are designed to handle voltage and current at signal level. These are also referred to as low-power circuits. Examples of these circuits include filters, amplifiers, communication systems, antenna, etc.
Control Circuits − As the name implies, these electronic circuits are designed to perform the specific control functions. Examples of these circuits include volume control, bass control, lighting dimmer, fan regulator, VFDs, motor starters, etc.

Main Components of Electronic Circuits

There are various components used to build an electronic circuit. Some of the main components of electronic circuits are briefly explained here.

1. Passive Circuit Components

Passive circuit components are those circuit elements that consumes or convert electrical energy into other forms of energy like heat, light, sound, etc. These components are incapable of supplying electric power to other components and cannot produce power gain in an electronic circuit.

Some of the common passive components of electronic circuits are listed here −

Resistor − An electronic circuit component that limits the amount of current in the circuit and coverts the excess electrical energy into heat.
Inductor − It is another basic electronic component used in circuits to oppose the sudden change in electric current. It also provides storage of energy in a magnetic field.
Capacitor − It is also a passive circuit component that stores electrostatic charge and opposes sudden changes in voltage.

2. Active Components

Those components of electronic circuits that either supply energy to rest of the circuit or produce power gain in the circuit are referred to as active components.

Transistor− It is a semiconductor device that can act as an amplifier if operated in its active region of operation. Since, it can produce power gain in the circuit, thus it is an active component. There are various types of transistors available such as BJT, MOSFET, JFET, power transistors, etc.

3. Special Components

These electronic components are designed to performance a specific function. The following are some specialized components of electronic circuits −

Sensor − It is an electronic component that can measure a physical quantity and produce an equivalent electronic signal in response that can be processed by the electronic circuit to perform a specific task.
Microprocessor − It is an integrated circuit and a combination of various electronic components. It is designed to perform a variety of functions and processing tasks.

Design Process of Electronic Circuits

Electronic circuit design is a very complex task. However, a typical process of designing electronic circuits is overviewed here −

Step 1 − First of all, we have to define the function or purpose of the electronic circuit that we need.

Step 2 − After that we sketch the very first design of the circuit.

Step 3 − At this stage, we determine the right components required for designing the circuit.

Step 4 − Then, we connect all the components together according to the circuit design to build the actual circuit.

Step 5 − Before actually operating the circuit, we first us simulation software like PSpice to determine how the circuit will behave and what problems are in its design.

Step 6 − If the circuit is highly complex, then we will use PCB (Printed Circuit Board) to implement it.

Step 7 − Finally, the circuit will be tested for ensuring that it is working as expected.

Applications of Electronic Circuits

Electronic circuits are the integral parts of all the devices that we use today, from our headphones to laptops and industrial automation systems.

Some of the common fields where electronic circuits are being used extensively −

Consumer Electronics − Smartphones, laptops, microwave oven, refrigerator, headphones, and everything that operate on electricity.
Automotive Electronics − In cars, bikes, etc. in engine starter, infotainment system, headlamps, indicators, etc.
Industrial Control and Automation − In human machine interfaces, assembly line automation, production automation, monitoring systems of machines and plants, etc.
Communication System − In modems, satellites, routers, transmitters, receivers, etc.
Medical Equipment − In diagnosis tools, ECG machine, MRI, CT scanner, and more.

Important Terms Related to Electronic Circuits

This section briefly defines some most important terms related to electronic circuits and these definitions will be valuable for easy understanding of this tutorial.

#1) Signals − In electronic circuits, a voltage or current is referred to as a signal if it is used for carrying data or information.

#2) Wave Shaping − Wave shaping is defined as a process of altering or modifying the shape of the waveform of an electronic signal.

#3) Linear Wave Shaping − A wave shaping process in which the shape of the waveform of a signal is modified by passing it through a linear network, consisting of resistors, inductors, and capacitors, is referred to as linear wave shaping.

#4) LPF and HPF − LPF stands for Low-Pass Filter, it is used to pass signal with frequencies lower than its cut-off frequency. HPF stands for High Pass Filter, it is used for passing signal with frequencies higher than its cut-off frequency.

#5) Nonlinear Wave Shaping − Nonlinear wave shaping is the process of modifying the waveforms of electronic signals by passing them through networks consisting of non-linear components like diodes.

#6) Positive Clipper Circuits − A positive clipper circuit is an electronic circuit designed to attenuate the positive potion of a signal above a specified voltage level.

#7) Negative Clipper Circuits − A negative clipper circuit is an electronic circuit designed to remove the negative portion of an input signal below a certain reference voltage.

#8) Clamper Circuits − Clamper circuit is an electronic circuit designed to shift the input signal to a certain level on the amplitude axis. It performs this function without changing the shape of the original signal.

#9) Limiter and Voltage Multiplier − A limiter circuit is an electronic circuit that limits the output voltage from exceeding a pre-defined value. A voltage multiplier is also an electronic circuit that produces a DC output which is an integer multiple of the AC peak input.

#10) Diode as a Switch − Diode is a solid-state device that provides unidirectional flow of electric current. It acts as an ON switch, when it is applied with a forward voltage and it acts as an OFF switch when it is applied with a reverse voltage.

#11) Power Supplies − Power supplies are electronic circuits designed to supply and modify the output electric current and voltage to meet the needs of the specific devices.

#12) Rectifiers − An electronic circuit designed to convert alternating current into direct current (AC into DC) is referred to as a rectifier.

#13) Full Wave Rectifiers − A rectifier circuit that can convert both positive and negative half cycles of the input AC supply into DC supply is known as a full-wave rectifier.

#14) Filters − In electronics, filters are electronic circuits design to block or pass a certain range of frequencies.

#15) Voltage Regulators − Voltage regulators are electronic circuits designed to keep the voltage levels within a specified limit, even with the variations in the input voltage and load conditions.

#16) SMPS − SMPS stands for Switch-Mode Power Supply. It is a power supply unit that performs rectification, transformation, and voltage regulation of electric supply for a certain application.

Prerequisites to Learn Electronic Circuits

This tutorial is written in a beginner friendly style. A basic knowledge of electronic components and circuit quantities like voltage, current, power, and energy can be helpful in easy grasping of concepts covered in this tutorial, however it is not a necessity.

If you would like to refresh the basic concepts which are prerequisite for this tutorial, then you may go through our Basic Electronics Tutorial first.

Who Should Learn Electronic Circuits?

This Electronic Circuits Tutorial is meant for both undergraduate college students and practicing professionals in the field of electronics and communication engineering.

Anyone who is interested in grasping the foundational knowledge of electronic circuits can refer this tutorial. This tutorial can be also useful for students preparing for technical exams like GATE.

FAQs on Electronic Circuits

This section is meant for answering some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Electronic Circuits −

An electronic circuit is an interconnected network of components like battery, resistors, capacitors, transistors, diodes, etc. It provides a closed path for the flow of electric current from active components like battery to passive components like resistors.

Some of the common types of electronic circuits include Analog circuits, Digital circuits, Hybrid electronic circuits, Series circuits, Parallel circuits, and Series-parallel circuits.

An electronic circuit that uses continuous-time signals to process information is called an analog electronic circuit.

An electronic circuit that uses discrete-time signals for processing of information is called a digital electronic circuit.

In electronic circuits, the process of implementing an actual working model of the circuit to test its design, functionality, and feasibility is referred to as prototyping.

The main difference between series and parallel circuits is that a series circuit has only a single path for the flow of current and a same current flow through all the components, while a parallel circuit provides number of paths for current flow equal to the number of branches in the circuit and the voltage across all the branches remains the same.

Diode is a unidirectional semiconductor device. Thus, it provides flow of electric current in a single direction. It is used as a unidirectional switch in electronic circuits.

A full-wave rectifier is an electronic circuit that converts a full-wave of AC into DC. It uses either two or four diodes to convert positive and negative half-cycles of the AC into DC. First, the full-wave rectifier converts the positive half-cycle of AC into a positive DC and then it converts the negative half of the AC into a positive DC.

Filters are used in electronic circuits for blocking or passing a certain range of frequencies. Some commonly used filters are low-pass filter, high-pass filter, band pass filter, band stop filter, etc.

In electronic circuits, voltage regulators are used to produce a stable voltage at the output terminals, even when the input or load conditions are variable.

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