Super newbie, how to figure out the function of a circuit?

Thread Starter

Bhisca

Joined Nov 8, 2021
4
Hello, I just started my systems architecture course. It mostly deals with the main hardware components and software, but the teacher also gave us a little bit of electronic circuits info. He gave us 4 circuits and a simulator and the task to recreate them and figure out their function. Unfortunately, with the info he provided us so far I can't really figure it out. For the first 3 circuits I managed to find some similar looking ones, bridge rectifier, voltage amplifier and voltage regulator (for the first two I am 100% sure I got them right, last one 99%). I just can't figure out the last one, I'd really appreciate if you could guide me somewhere on this website where I could find some more info, or give me some tips. Thank you.
 

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dl324

Joined Mar 30, 2015
16,846
Welcome to AAC!
I just can't figure out the last one, I'd really appreciate if you could guide me somewhere on this website where I could find some more info, or give me some tips.
What do you think it is?

Is that the way your instructor drew the schematic? Or were you given a well drawn schematic and made a conscious decision to make it harder to read?

circuit4.jpg
 

Thread Starter

Bhisca

Joined Nov 8, 2021
4
Welcome to AAC!
What do you think it is?

Is that the way your instructor drew the schematic? Or were you given a well drawn schematic and made a conscious decision to make it harder to read?

View attachment 252200
Hey, thanks for the reply! This is exactly how the schematic I was given to put in the simulator looks, I just copied it. Like I said, I don't have enough knowledge yet (the only info I got so far is what diodes are, if that's supposed to help me figure it out I'm not sure how). I don't have the slightest clue what this circuit might do, I haven't found any that looked even close to it. I'm guessing that the voltmeter and ammeter readings should give me a clue (that's how I figured out the voltage regulator one).
 

boostbuck

Joined Oct 5, 2017
501
If you turn T5 and T6 around on the drawing then the signal flow is left-to-right, as it should be, and you will be able to find many similar circuits on the web. It's a very common configuration.
 

dl324

Joined Mar 30, 2015
16,846
I have a guess, please let me know if it is right: operational amplifier.
No. An operational amplifier has a differential input (except for Norton opamps) and usually has 3 stages. The circuit you have is sometimes used with an opamp though.

This is exactly how the schematic I was given to put in the simulator looks, I just copied it.
How sad. Your instructor didn't know enough to draw the circuit conventionally so function could be determined with a glance. If you're not an EE major, there's no need for him/her to try to confuse you.
 
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