About the course

ECE 210 is the first mathematically oriented course in the electrical and computer engineering curricula. The course begins by building on the circuit analysis concepts you learned in ECE 110 and then progresses into the more abstract world of Fourier and Laplace transforms. Much of what we will do will rely on your background in calculus. Our goal will be to apply mathematical tools to the analysis and design of signal processing systems, culminating in a thorough understanding of an AM radio receiver and the ability to design simple filters. ECE 210 deals with the processing of continuous-time, or analog signals. The follow-on course, ECE 310, covers the processing of sampled, or digital signals. Full description, including course goals and instructional objectives, can be found here.

ECE 211 is the first half of ECE 210. Students in ECE 211 should attend lectures approximately through Friday, March 8 (Chapters 1 through 6 in the course textbook). Full description, including course goals and instructional objectives, can be found here.

Course information in course explorer: ECE 210, ECE 211.


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Section: ECE 210 AL4
ECE 211 C
ECE 210 AL1
ECE 211 B
ECE 210 AL2
ECE 211 E
ECE 210 AL3
ECE 211 F
Instructor: Stephen Bass
Juan Alvarez
slides
Olga Mironenko
slides
Jonathon Schuh
slides
Lectures: MTW F 10-10.50 a.m.
ECEB 1013
MTW F 11-11.50 a.m.
ECEB 1013
MTW F 1-1.50 p.m.
ECEB 1015
MTW F 2-2.50 p.m.
ECEB 1013
Contact: 3058 ECEB
sfbass@
3046 ECEB
alvarez@
4066 ECEB
olgamiro@
4062 ECEB
schuh4@

 


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ATTENDANCE

Lecture attendance is not required but is is strongly recommended in order for you to learn the course material well and obtain a good grade in the course. Active participation in your learning environment is vital to your success in this course. If you miss a lecture, you can watch it in the course's Mediaspace channel

Communication: It is the student's responsibility to attend lectures and check their email daily, in case there are announcements from course staff. Missing a lecture and/or not checking your email will not excuse complying with course deadlines and policies.


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COURSE MATERIALS

Textbook: Kudeki & Munson, Analog Signals and Systems Prentice Hall, 2009. You will be expected to read the textbook in preparation for lectures according to the assigned reading schedule.

Corrections to the text book (errata)

Useful tables (Fourier series, Fourier transform, convolution, delta function, Laplace transform, important functions)

Slides: each instructor might provide lecture slides and can be found in the lectures section of this website.

Additional references/notes:


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DISCUSSION

Active participation in your learning environment is vital to your success in this course.

Campuswire: For discussions and questions regarding course material. Code to join: 6406.

Student online behavior: In any social interaction, certain rules of etiquette are expected and contribute to more enjoyable and productive communication. The following are tips for interacting online via e-mail or discussion board messages, adapted from guidelines originally compiled by Chuq Von Rospach and Gene Spafford (1995):


 

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GRADING POLICIES

It is the student's responsibility to check that the correct grades are entered in CANVAS.

The final grade will be calculated as follows:

Grading for ECE 210:
Midterm exams (3).................. 45%
Final Exam.............................. 25%
Quizzes (3).............................. 10%
Weekly homework (14)........... 10%
Labs (5).................................... 10%
  Grading for ECE 211:
Final Exam (Exam 2)............. 35%
Midterm exam........................ 30%
Quizzes (2) ............................ 25%
Weekly homework (8)............ 10%

In order to account for sickness, travel or internet issues, your two lowest homework grades will be dropped (only one for ECE 211).

ECE 210 students can have their worst midterm grade replaced by their final exam grade (if it is higher).

As a rough guideline, we intend to award letter grades as indicated below, where 'm' is the mean and 's' is the standard deviation.


 

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HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Homework assignment policy:


 

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EXAMS

The exams dates/times are as follows:

Conflict exam requests:

 

Absences from exams: You MUST notify Prof. Alvarez before missing an exam. If you miss an exam due to illness, injury, family emergency or other reasons beyond your control, you will be asked to provide your professor with an absence letter from the Student Assistance Center in the Office of the Dean of Students. Documentation which validates the absence is required by the Dean's Office to provide the absence letter. The absence letter will serve to verify the reason for your absence from the exam. Prof. Alvarez will then take an appropriate action that may include offering an oral examination or written examination.

Regrades:

Old exams for practice can be found here.



 

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QUIZZES

The quiz dates/times are as follows:

CBTF instructions:

 

Absences from quizzes: we strongly recommend you sign up for the first day, in case you get sick. If you sign up for the last couple of days and you get sick, you might not be granted an extension. If you miss a quiz due to illness or family emergency or other reasons beyond your control that last more than a couple of days, you will be asked to provide your professor with an absence letter from the Student Assistance Center in the Office of the Dean of Students. Documentation which validates the absence is required by the Dean's Office to provide the absence letter. The absence letter will serve to verify the reason for your absence from the quiz. Prof. Alvarez will then take an appropriate action that may include offering an oral examination or written examination.



 

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LABS (only ECE 210 students)

Labs and prelabs constitute 10% of your (ECE 210) grade.

Pre-labs and labs are available and will be submitted via Gradescope.

Lab kit:

Five laboratory assignments will be given, beginning on the week of February 11. You do not need to attend lab before then.

Lab Times (February 14 - April 25) in room ECEB 4072:

Hrs. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
10-11.50am       Week 1: Section AB7
Week 2: Section AB8

Yulun Wu
ECEB 4072
12-1.50pm     Week 1: Section AB1
Week 2: Section AB2

Binghui Wang/Robert Irvin
ECEB 4072
Week 1: Section AB9
Week 2: Section ABA

Yulun Wu
ECEB 4072

2-3pm
 
    Week 1: Section AB3
Week 2: Section AB4

Tala Aoun/Binghui Wang
ECEB 4072
Week 1: Section ABB
Week 2: Section ABC

Robert Irvin/Tala Aoun
ECEB 4072
3-3.50pm   Open lab
Tala Aoun/Yichi Zhang
ECEB 4072

4-5pm
 
Open lab
Binghui Wang
ECEB 4072
  Week 1: Section AB5
Week 2: Section AB6

Binghui Wang/Yichi Zhang
ECEB 4072
 

5-5.50pm
 
   

Each section meets every other week for 5 lab sessions. Here are the dates for the first lab of each section:

 

About the Laboratory:
This lab is designed to give the student the opportunity to verify theoretical concepts introduced in lecture (such as frequency response, filtering, modulation, etc.) and to understand how these concepts relate to real-world systems. It does so by leading the student through the design of a simple AM radio receiver and allowing the student to get hands-on experience with equipment common to any electronics laboratory.
In the figure below we can see each of the subsystems that are part of the AM radio receiver. Each of the subsystems will be built during lab time. In this diagram it is indicated the corresponding lab associated to each component. (e.g. the envelope detector will be built during lab #1, while the IF and the Audio amplifiers will be built during lab #2 ). Further instructions will be provided in each lab printout.

Lab session policy:

Lab/prelab report submission policy:

Code Guide Resistors are color coded in ohms, inductors in microH, and capacitors (with digits) in picoF.

 

User's Manuals:

 

Radio Stations:

Tool for finding Radio Stations by the Federal Communications Commission(FCC)



 

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OFFICE HOURS

Course staff will not give you the answers nor check if your answer is correct. Course staff will help you determine if your approach is correct/incorrect, and guide you accordingly.

 

Faculty and TA Office Hours (January 17 - May 1, except March 11-15 and April 5):

  Open office hours.
  Small study sessions. More information below the table.
Hrs. Monday
except March 11
Tuesday
except except March 12
Wednesday
except except March 13
Thursday
except except March 14
Friday
except except March 15 and April 5
9-9.50am     Binghui Wang
ECEB 3034
Binghui Wang
ECEB 3034
 
10-10.50am       Binghui Wang
ECEB 3034
 
11-11.50am       Robert Irvin
ECEB 3034
 
12-12.50pm     Olga Mironenko
ECEB 3034
  Robert Irvin
ECEB 3034
1-1.50pm       Juan Alvarez
ECEB 3034
 
2-2.50pm       Yichi Zhang
ECEB 3034
 
3-3.50pm     Yulun Wu
ECEB 3034
Stephen Bass
ECEB 3034
Yichi Zhang
ECEB 3034
4-4.50pm Tala Aoun
Yichi Zhang
ECEB 3081
Jonathon Schuh
Robert Irvin
ECEB 3081
Tala Aoun
ECEB 3034
Tala Aoun
ECEB 3034
Yichi Zhang
ECEB 3034
5-5.50pm Tala Aoun
Yulun Wu
ECEB 3081
Robert Irvin
Yichi Zhang
ECEB 3081
     
6-6.50pm Robert Irvin
Yulu Wu
ECEB 3081
Tala Aoun
Yichi Zhang
ECEB 3081
     

Small study session office hours

 


 

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COURSE STAFF

Instructors:

TA's:

Communication: It is the student's responsibility to attend lectures and check their email daily, in case there are announcements from course staff. Missing a lecture and/or not checking your email will not excuse complying with course deadlines and policies.

Please post your questions on the discussion board, Campuswire, instead of emailing the instructors or TAs directly because it is very likely that you're not the only one of enrolled in the course that has that same question. This way, others can take advantage of the responses to your questions, and other students might be able to assist you sooner.



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HONORS

ECE 210 Honors will introduce students to Python programming through modules in Jupyter notebook. As such, prior Python experience would be helpful, but definitely not required. We'll teach everything from the ground up.

You do not have to be a James Scholar to sign up but you will only get the 'H' in your transcript if you are.

If you are a James Scholar, you must complete the corresponding HCLA form from the College and submit it before February 2.

More information is available here.


 

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ASSIGNED READINGS

You will be expected to read the textbook in preparation for lectures. The table below indicates the schedule for the topics.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Jan 15

MLK day
NO CLASS
Jan 16
Introduction & voltage, current power, KVL, KCL 0, 1.1-2
Jan 17
Elements, sources, solutions of circuit problems, 1.3
Jan 18
Jan 19
Complex numbers review 1.4, App. A
Jan 22
Resistor combinations and source combinations 2.1, node voltage method 2.2
Jan 23
Node voltage method 2.2
Jan 24
Loop current method 2.3
Jan 25
Jan 26
Linearity & superposition 2.4.1
Jan 29
Thevenin & Norton 2.4.2
Jan 30
Available power & max power transfer 2.5
Jan 31
Op-amps & ideal op-amp approximations 3.1

Quiz I starts
Feb 1
Feb 2
Linear op-amp ckts 3.1
Feb 5
Differentiators & integrators 3.2
Feb 6
Introduction to LTI systems 3.3
Feb 7
1st order RC ckt response to constant inputs 3.4.1
Feb 8
Feb 9
RC & RL ckts with constant inputs 3.4.1-2
Feb 12
RC & RL ckts with time-varying inputs 3.4.3

Lab 1 starts this week
Feb 13
Transient & steady-state response in LTI systems 3.4.3,
n-th order ODEs 3.5
Feb 14
NO CLASS

Midterm Exam I
Feb 15
Feb 16
Phasors & sinusoidal SS solutions of linear ODEs 4.1.1-2
Feb 19
Impedance & phasors in sinusoidal steady state ckts 4.1.3, 4.2.1
Feb 20
Phasor ckt analysis 4.2.2-3
Feb 21
Post-review of Exam I
Feb 22
Feb 23
Avg and available power 4.3
Feb 26
Resonance 4.4

Lab 2 starts this week
Feb 27
Frequency response of dissipative LTI systems 5.1-2
Feb 28
LTI system response to co-sinusoids & multi-frequency inputs 5.3-5

Quiz II starts
Feb 29
Mar 1
Periodic signals 6.1
Mar 4
Fourier series & its forms 6.2
Mar 5
Fourier series examples 6.2
Mar 6
LTI system response to periodic inputs 6.3.1
Mar 7
Mar 8
Avg signal power, Parseval's thm, harmonic distortion 6.3.2-3
Last day for ECE 211
Mar 11
Spring break
NO CLASS
Mar 12
Spring break
NO CLASS
Mar 13
Spring break
NO CLASS
Mar 14
Spring break
NO CLASS
Mar 15
Spring break
NO CLASS
Mar 18
Fourier transform of aperiodic signals 7.1

Lab 3 starts this week
Mar 19
Fourier transform pairs and properties of FT 7.1
Mar 20
NO CLASS

Midterm Exam II
Mar 21
Mar 22
Signal energy and bandwidth 7.2
Mar 25
LTI system response using FT 7.3
Mar 26
Modulation property, AM signal, coherent demodulation 8.1-2
Mar 27
Post-review of Exam II
Mar 28
Mar 29
Envelope detection, superhet AM receiver 8.3-4
Apr 1
Convolution & FT convolution properties 9.1.1-2

Lab 4 starts this week
Apr 2
Graphical convolution 9.1.3
Apr 3
Convolution examples 9.1.3

Quiz III starts
Apr 4
Apr 5

EOH
NO CLASS
Apr 8
Impulse & its properties 9.2
Apr 9
FT of power signals 9.2-3
Apr 10
Sampling & analog signal reconstruction 9.4
Apr 11
Apr 12
Impulse response 10.1
Apr 15
BIBO stability, causality & LTIC systems 10.2-5

Lab 5 starts this week
Apr 16
Transfer function & Laplace transform 11.1
Apr 17
NO CLASS

Midterm Exam III
Apr 18
Apr 19
Properties of Laplace Transform 11.1
Apr 22
Inverse Laplace transform & PFE 11.2
Apr 23
Inverse Laplace transform & PFE 11.2
Apr 24
Post-review of Exam III
Apr 25
Apr 26
s-domain ckt analysis, general response of LTIC systems 11.3, 11.4.1
Apr 29
Zero-input response in LTIC ckts & systems 11.4.1-2
Apr 30
Ckt initial value problems 11.4.3
May 1
LTIC system combinations 11.5
May 2
Reading Day
May 3


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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES






 

COVID

There will recordings that will be available for students with excused absences. If you have an excused absence or you are feeling sick, please contact Prof. Alvarez at least one hour before the lecture you will miss. If it is due to an excused absence, please also provide the corresponding documentation.

Here are the Univeristy's policies if you test positive for COVID.

Here is the information for quarantine and isolation.






 

Academic integrity

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Student Code should is very important for you to know.

Students should pay particular attention to Article 1, Part 4: Academic Integrity. Academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade. Every student is expected to review and abide by the Academic Integrity Policy. Ignorance is not an excuse for any academic dishonesty. It is your responsibility to read this policy to avoid any misunderstanding. Do not hesitate to ask the instructor(s) if you are ever in doubt about what constitutes plagiarism, cheating, or any other breach of academic integrity.






 

Inclusivity

The effectiveness of this course is dependent upon the creation of an encouraging and safe classroom environment. Exclusionary, offensive or harmful speech (such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, etc.) will not be tolerated and in some cases subject to University harassment procedures. We are all responsible for creating a positive and safe environment that allows all students equal respect and comfort. I expect each of you to help establish and maintain and environment where you and your peers can contribute without fear of ridicule or intolerant or offensive language.






 

Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES)

Students with documented disabilities must notify the instructor within the first 7 days of classes.

To obtain disability-related academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the course instructor and the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) as soon as possible.

To contact DRES, you may visit 1207 S. Oak St., Champaign, call 333-4603, e-mail disability@illinois.edu or go to the DRES website.

If you are concerned you have a disability-related condition that is impacting your academic progress, there are academic screening appointments available on campus that can help diagnosis a previously undiagnosed disability by visiting the DRES website and selecting “Sign-Up for an Academic Screeningâ€ï¿½ at the bottom of the page.






 

FERPA

Any student who has suppressed their directory information pursuant to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) should self-identify to the instructor to ensure protection of the privacy of their attendance in this course. Click here for more information on FERPA.






 

Sexual misconduct

The University of Illinois is committed to combating sexual misconduct. Faculty and staff members are required to report any instances of sexual misconduct to the University's Title IX and Disability Office. In turn, an individual with the Title IX and Disability Office will provide information about rights and options, including accommodations, support services, the campus disciplinary process, and law enforcement options. A list of the designated University employees who, as counselors, confidential advisors, and medical professionals, do not have this reporting responsibility and can maintain confidentiality, can be found here. Other information about resources and reporting is available here.







Support Resources and Supporting Fellow Students in Distress

As members of the Illinois community, we each have a responsibility to express care and concern for one another. If you come across a classmate whose behavior concerns you, whether in regards to their well-being or yours, we encourage you to refer this behavior to the Student Assistance Center (1-217-333-0050) or online. Based upon your report, staff in the Student Assistance Center reaches out to students to make sure they have the support they need to be healthy and safe. Further, as a Community of Care, we want to support you in your overall wellness. We know that students sometimes face challenges that can impact academic performance (examples include mental health concerns, food insecurity, homelessness, personal emergencies). Should you find that you are managing such a challenge and that it is interfering with your coursework, you are encouraged to contact the Student Assistance Center (SAC)in the Office of the Dean of Students for support and referrals to campus and/or community resources. The SAC has a Dean on Duty available to see students who walk in, call, or email the office during business hours. For mental health emergencies, you can call 911 or contact the Counseling Center.






 

Run, hide, fight.

Emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. It is important that we take a minute to prepare for a situation in which our safety or even our lives could depend on our ability to react quickly. When we’re faced with almost any kind of emergency – like severe weather or if someone is trying to hurt you – we have three options: Run, hide or fight.

Run, hide, fight video.

Run
Leaving the area quickly is the best option if it is safe to do so.
  • Take time now to learn the different ways to leave your building.
  • Leave personal items behind.
  • Assist those who need help, but consider whether doing so puts yourself at risk.
  • Alert authorities of the emergency when it is safe to do so.
Hide
When you can’t or don’t want to run, take shelter indoors.
  • Take time now to learn different ways to seek shelter in your building.
  • If severe weather is imminent, go to the nearest indoor storm refuge area.
  • If someone is trying to hurt you and you can’t evacuate, get to a place where you can’t be seen, lock or barricade your area if possible, silence your phone, don’t make any noise and don’t come out until you receive an Illini-Alert indicating it is safe to do so.
Fight
As a last resort, you may need to fight to increase your chances of survival.
  • Think about what kind of common items are in your area which you can use to defend yourself.
  • Team up with others to fight if the situation allows.
  • Mentally prepare yourself – you may be in a fight for your life

Please be aware of people with disabilities who may need additional assistance in emergency situations

Other resources