Milestone map
Milestone map
4 milestones
Resistive networks and the lumped abstraction
about 3 weeks (about 12 hrs/week)
Watch 6.002 lectures 1–3 (KVL, KCL, the node method, superposition, Thévenin and Norton) and read Fiore DC chapters 3–7. Then solve 6.002 homework 1–2 and the odd-numbered problems of chapter 10 of the OpenStax physics text (Volume 2). Self-check: University Physics Volume 2, Answer Key, chapter 10 (Direct-Current Circuits). Free tools only.
Proof required
Link the public repo with 6.002 homework 1–2 and the odd-numbered problems of chapter 10 of the OpenStax physics text (Volume 2) written up (a typeset PDF, LaTeX source or notebook), and show the self-check: which answers matched and how you fixed the ones that did not.
What gets checked
- Every node and loop equation is written before it is solved.
- Thévenin equivalents are checked by a second method.
- Answers match the key, and misses are reworked.
Common mistakes
- Answers copied from a solution with no working.
- Missing units, or a sign or factor-of-2π slip left unexplained.
Powstik Guide
A public write-up of 6.002 homework 1–2 and the odd-numbered problems of chapter 10 of the OpenStax physics text (Volume 2), with the self-check shown.
Steps
- Study the linked course material.
- Solve the problems on your own first.
- Check them against the self-check and rework the misses.
- Typeset the write-up (LaTeX or a notebook) in a public repo.
- Ask someone who knows the subject to check it.
Template
README ECE 1: Circuits and Electronics, unit 1: Resistive networks and the lumped abstraction Problems: Self-check result (matched / reworked): What I got wrong first and why:
What gets sent back
- No working shown.
- The self-check result is missing.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Every node and loop equation is written before it is solved.
- Thévenin equivalents are checked by a second method.
- Answers match the key, and misses are reworked.
- Is the engineering right, not just the final number?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
The digital abstraction, MOSFET switches and amplifiers
about 3 weeks (about 12 hrs/week)
Watch 6.002 lectures 4–12 (the digital abstraction, noise margins, MOSFET switch models, nonlinear circuits, dependent sources, large- and small-signal amplifiers). Then solve 6.002 homework 3–7. Self-check: CircuitJS (Falstad circuit simulator). Free tools only.
Proof required
Link the public repo with 6.002 homework 3–7 written up (a typeset PDF, LaTeX source or notebook), and show the self-check: which answers matched and how you fixed the ones that did not.
What gets checked
- Noise margins are worked out from the transfer curve.
- Each amplifier's gain is derived with its small-signal model.
- Every hand answer is shown next to the simulated value, and gaps are explained.
Common mistakes
- Answers copied from a solution with no working.
- Missing units, or a sign or factor-of-2π slip left unexplained.
Powstik Guide
A public write-up of 6.002 homework 3–7, with the self-check shown.
Steps
- Study the linked course material.
- Solve the problems on your own first.
- Check them against the self-check and rework the misses.
- Typeset the write-up (LaTeX or a notebook) in a public repo.
- Ask someone who knows the subject to check it.
Template
README ECE 1: Circuits and Electronics, unit 2: The digital abstraction, MOSFET switches and amplifiers Problems: Self-check result (matched / reworked): What I got wrong first and why:
What gets sent back
- No working shown.
- The self-check result is missing.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Noise margins are worked out from the transfer curve.
- Each amplifier's gain is derived with its small-signal model.
- Every hand answer is shown next to the simulated value, and gaps are explained.
- Is the engineering right, not just the final number?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Energy storage, dynamics and sinusoidal steady state
about 3 weeks (about 12 hrs/week)
Watch 6.002 lectures 13–25 (capacitors, inductors, first- and second-order circuits, impedance, filters and Q, op-amps, energy and power) and read Fiore AC chapters 1–6. Then solve 6.002 homework 8–11 and the odd-numbered problems of chapters 14 and 15 of the OpenStax physics text (Volume 2). Self-check: University Physics Volume 2, Answer Key, chapter 15 (Alternating-Current Circuits). Free tools only.
Proof required
Link the public repo with 6.002 homework 8–11 and the odd-numbered problems of chapters 14 and 15 of the OpenStax physics text (Volume 2) written up (a typeset PDF, LaTeX source or notebook), and show the self-check: which answers matched and how you fixed the ones that did not.
What gets checked
- Time constants and natural frequencies come from the circuit, not memory.
- Phasor answers give magnitude and phase with units.
- Answers match the chapter 14 and 15 keys, and misses are reworked.
Common mistakes
- Answers copied from a solution with no working.
- Missing units, or a sign or factor-of-2π slip left unexplained.
Powstik Guide
A public write-up of 6.002 homework 8–11 and the odd-numbered problems of chapters 14 and 15 of the OpenStax physics text (Volume 2), with the self-check shown.
Steps
- Study the linked course material.
- Solve the problems on your own first.
- Check them against the self-check and rework the misses.
- Typeset the write-up (LaTeX or a notebook) in a public repo.
- Ask someone who knows the subject to check it.
Template
README ECE 1: Circuits and Electronics, unit 3: Energy storage, dynamics and sinusoidal steady state Problems: Self-check result (matched / reworked): What I got wrong first and why:
What gets sent back
- No working shown.
- The self-check result is missing.
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Time constants and natural frequencies come from the circuit, not memory.
- Phasor answers give magnitude and phase with units.
- Answers match the chapter 14 and 15 keys, and misses are reworked.
- Is the engineering right, not just the final number?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Build and measure an RC and an RLC filter
about 3 weeks (about 12 hrs/week)
Make an RC low-pass filter and a series RLC band-pass filter, simulated in ngspice or CircuitJS (breadboarding them is optional, costs money). Draw the schematic in KiCad or Xschem. Predict the RC −3 dB cutoff, the RLC centre frequency f0 = 1/(2π√(LC)) and Q = f0 ÷ (−3 dB bandwidth) by hand. Include a 50 Ω source resistance and the inductor's series resistance in both. Run an AC sweep and fill a predicted-vs-measured table that explains every gap. Optional, costs money: a breadboard, resistors, capacitors and an inductor. Use a free tone-generator app on your phone or computer as the signal, kept under 1 V. Measure with a cheap USB oscilloscope or your sound card's input. Safety: 12 V DC or less, from AA, AAA or 9 V batteries or USB only. Never mains power, never a lithium-polymer pack or loose lithium cell, and never a home-made battery charger. Wear eye protection when soldering or cutting leads. Under 18? Use the simulator, or build and solder with an adult present.
Proof required
Link the public repo with the schematic, the simulator netlist or file, the predicted-vs-measured table and (if you built it) photos of the set-up, and a README that says how to rerun it and what limits the result.
What gets checked
- The schematic and the netlist or simulator file are in the repo, and the AC sweep reruns from them.
- The table lists predicted and measured cutoff, centre frequency, bandwidth and Q, each with units.
- Every gap over 5% is explained with a cause the reviewer can check.
Common mistakes
- A result that nobody else can rerun from the repo.
- A table with no explanation of the gaps.
Powstik Guide
An RC low-pass filter and a series RLC band-pass filter, simulated in ngspice or CircuitJS (breadboarding them is optional, costs money), in a public repo.
Steps
- Write down what you expect before you start.
- Draw the schematic in KiCad or Xschem. Predict the RC −3 dB cutoff, the RLC centre frequency f0 = 1/(2π√(LC)) and Q = f0 ÷ (−3 dB bandwidth) by hand. Include a 50 Ω source resistance and the inductor's series resistance in both. Run an AC sweep and fill a predicted-vs-measured table that explains every gap.
- Fill the predicted-vs-measured table.
- Explain every gap with a cause someone can check.
- Write the README and ask someone who knows the subject to rerun it.
Template
README ECE 1: Circuits and Electronics — Build and measure an RC and an RLC filter What I expected: How to rerun it: Predicted vs measured: Why they differ:
What gets sent back
- It does not run from the repo.
- No predicted-vs-measured table.
- Mains power, a lithium pack or loose cell, a home-made charger, or more than 12 V DC.
Resources
Foundationstart here
What a verifier looks for
- The schematic and the netlist or simulator file are in the repo, and the AC sweep reruns from them.
- The table lists predicted and measured cutoff, centre frequency, bandwidth and Q, each with units.
- Every gap over 5% is explained with a cause the reviewer can check.
- Rerun it from the repo: does it run, and do the numbers match the table?
- The build uses 12 V DC or less from AA, AAA or 9 V batteries or USB; nothing touches mains, and there is no lithium pack, loose cell or home-made charger.
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.