circuit basics

Kirchhoffs‘s current law (KCL)

the algebraic sum of currents in a network of conductors meeting at a point is zero

Kirchhoffs‘s voltage law (KVL)

the directed sum of the potential differences around any closed loop is zero

loop

a closed electric circuit

RC time constant

equal to the product of the circuit resistance and the circuit capacitance

operating / bias / Q / quiescent point

DC voltage or current at a specified terminal of an active device with no input signal applied

bias circuit

Portion of a device‘s circuit which supplies the quiescent current of voltage

open circuit

an electrical circuit in which the continuity is broken so that current does not flow

short circuit

a connection of a comparatively low resistance between points between which the resistance is normally much greater

rectifier

a device for converting alternating current into direct current

I-V curve, I-V characteristic

relationship between current and corresponding potential difference

amplify

amplifier

amplification

to increase the size or effect of something

analyze

analysis

to study something in a systematic and careful way

bias

to set the initial operating conditions of an active device

characterize

characterization

to describe the distinctive nature or features of

charge/discharge

to put electricity into/to remove electricity from an electrical device

design

to make or draw plans for something

filter

filtering

to remove unwanted components or features from the signal

match

to correspond in some essential respect

model

to represent a system by a set of concepts

short

to provide a low-impedance path between two nodes that should have different voltages

supply

to provide something needed or wanted