Revision checklist

Topic Area What you should know

Topic Area 1: Basic electronic circuit principles 1.1 Electronic circuit parameters • The meaning and unit of measurement of different electronic circuit parameters: potential difference, current, resistance, capacitance, power and frequency • The multiples and submultiples used with electronic circuit parameters, and how to convert between them

1.2 Electronic circuit theory, laws and associated calculations • What is meant by electron flow • The differences between series and parallel circuits • How to calculate the total resistance of series and parallel circuits • The differences between analogue and digital signals, including their waveform characteristics • The differences between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) • How to interpret and calculate values using Ohm’s law • How to interpret and calculate values using Watt’s law Topic Area 2: Electronic and programmable systems, components and devices

2.1 Methods of representing electronic circuits and systems and interpretation of them • How to interpret system block diagrams • The differences between open and closed loop systems • How to interpret circuit schematics • How to interpret printed circuit board (PCB) layouts 2.2 The purpose, function and typical applications of electronic circuit components and devices including the recognition and interpretation of circuit symbols • The purpose, function and applications of different types of switches: SPST, push-to-make, push-to-break, tilt, reed and QTC switches • The purpose, function and applications of different types of sensors and touch screens: LDRs, photodiodes, NTC thermistors, and pressure, infrared and smart sensors • The purpose, function and applications of amplifiers • The purpose, function and applications of counters • The purpose, function and applications of timers • The purpose, function and applications of latches • The purpose, function and applications of pulse generators • The purpose, function and applications of analogue to digital converters (ADCs) • The purpose, function and applications of logic gates, including their truth SAMPLE tables: AND, OR, NOT and NAND • How to apply logic gates both singly and in combination • The purpose, function and applications of different output components and devices: lamps, LEDs, LCDs, buzzers, piezo sounders and motors • The purpose, function and applications of drivers and interface devices: NPN transistors, Darlington drivers and relays

• The purpose, function and applications of resistors

• The purpose, function and applications of capacitors

• How and why different power supplies are used for different applications: batteries, photovoltaic (solar) cells, supercapacitors and mains adaptors • The characteristics of different types of wiring, and how they are suited to different applications: single- and multi-strand wire

2.3 Programmable components and systems • How and why programmable components are used in the design and manufacture of electronic systems: microcontrollers and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) • The main features of different programming languages and systems, and how they are suited to different applications: text-based, block-based and flowchart systems Topic Area 3: Methods of prototyping and testing systems and circuits

3.1 The purpose and characteristics of methods of prototyping circuits and systems • The purpose, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of producing CAD models of circuits and systems • The purpose, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of producing models of circuits and systems using non-permanent methods: breadboard and modular systems kits • The purpose, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of producing models of circuits and systems using permanent methods: stripboard and printed circuit boards (PCBs) 3.2 The main characteristics, purpose and use of physical and virtual measurement and test equipment • The characteristics, purpose and use of measurement and test equipment: multimeter, continuity tester and logic probe • The characteristics, purpose and use of measurement and test equipment: oscilloscope and signal generator Topic Area 4: Commercial circuit production and construction methods

4.1 Printed circuit boards (PCBs) • How and why printed circuit boards (PCBs) are produced using the photo etching method • How and why PCBs are produced using CAM milling/routing processes • The characteristics and typical uses of single-sided PCBs • The characteristics and typical uses of double-sided PCBs • The characteristics and typical uses of flexible PCBs 4.2 The characteristics and processes of commercial circuit assembly methods SAMPLE • The characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of surface mount technology (SMT)

• The processes used to construct SMT circuits

• The characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of through-hole circuit construction

• The characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of manual soldering