Title: Lesson
Course: Electronics Theory (IC 102-IC 102) > Section: Web Content

There are several specialty diodes that you should get familiar with and their operation and biasing. Zener diodes unique characteristics of breakover voltage make them good circuit regulators. Differences in LED's and LASER diodes electroluminescence. Photodiodes ability to turn light into current and how varactors can change the capacitance of a circuit. Next you'll explore the construction and the current flow of a bi-polar junction transistor. An important element is understanding that emitter/base current controls emitter/collector current of the transistor. Familiarization of the characteristic curve will help to understand transistor usage as an amplifier or a switch (saturation or cutoff). You will find it very useful to be able to troubleshoot a transistor with an Ohmmeter.
Reading Assignment:
Volume 3 Chapter 3 Diodes and Rectifiers (Zener Diodes - Varicap or Varactor Diodes) http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/Semi/SEMI_3.html
Volume 3 Chapter 2 Solid-State Device Theory (Bipolar Junction Transistors) http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/Semi/SEMI_2.html
Volume 3 Chapter 4 Bipolar Junction Transistors (Introduction - Active Mode Operation) http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/Semi/SEMI_4.html
Electrical Motor Controls for Integrated Systems - Chapter #13 (pgs 372-380; 394-399)
Industrial Control Electronics: Devices, Systems, & Applications - Chapter #2 (2-4) Optoelectronic Interface Devices (pgs 27-31)
Power points are available in the "Handout" section.
There are videos posted below for further explanation of subject matter.
In the "Coursework" page you will notice that I have two worksheets, one is designed to get an understanding of the parameters of the zener diode when used as a regulator and the other is to build an understanding of the biasing (Q-points) for using a transistor as a switch or as an amplifier. The two lab experiments included are built around the characteristic curve of the zener and the transistor reinforcing how they operate in general.
Go to the software challenges and pick the "Power Supply Challenge", then when open go to the tab Full-Wave Troubleshooting With An Oscilloscope. You may do this exercise as many time as you like but turn in your best score to me for a grade (50%-75% - 5 points, 75% and up - 10 points). This and the other parts of the software are great troubleshooting skill sharpening exercises, If you have the time I would suggest to go through the whole power supply challenge.
Industrial sensors are quite often connected by sinking or sourcing, so our topic in the forum page will relate to this subject.