Peer Review

Capacitance vs. Voltage of PN Junctions

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jul 15, 2004 by Engineering

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: One of a set of presentations describing the behavior of semiconductor devices.
This applet shows how the internal capacitance of a BJT behaves under a variable
set of conditions. It provides EE students with the ability to interact with a
working model of the BJT behavior. The applet stresses qualitative learning of
the relationships between the junction capacitance of a PN junction and others
parameters such as doping concentrations, bias voltages, etc.
Type of Material:: Tutorial with simulation, visulaization, problem solving and review test. It is
an applet that permits learners to understand and discover associations and
relationships between parameters involved in PN diode junction.
Recommended Uses:: Supplement class lectures and text. It is an applet that permits learners to
underatnd and discover associations and relationships between parameters
involved in PN diode junction.
Technical Requirements:: Java enabled browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Understanding one aspect of basic BJT behavior. The student should be able to
describe change in capacitance based on variations in the electrical and
semiconductor parameters in a device.
Target Student Population:: Students enrolled in the introductory course on electronics/solid state in a
computer and/or electrical engineering program. Generally, 2nd & 3rd year EE &
ECE students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Understanding of basic microelectronics behavior; some circuit analysis.

Typically, a student would encounter this topic having successfully completed
most of his/her physics and math requirements in an engineering program.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: Students are able to review a textual and mathematical discussion of the
material afterwhich they can use the multimedia tool to get a good visual
understanding of the function of CMOS capacitance. Provides visualization,
simulation, exercises, etc. The material is generally part of the core
curriculum in Electrical/Computer Engineering. The graphics are attractive and
get the user's attention. This particular module provides graphical
illustration of the relationship between paremeters like charge and capacitance
for PN junctions.
Concerns:: Some portions of the presentaion are incomplete, but the presentation is still
very usable. The labelling on the java plots is not very clear. In the
reference section, some of the links are not active.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: This material has great potential in helping students better understand the
topic material. It is reasonably comprehensive on the topic (at the
introductory level). Students have the ability to read, to see, and to do
exercises while using this courseware. There is good structure to the material.

There is some level of interaction between the learner and the module, but it
is
modest. This interaction can be categorized as dynamic plots for a function of
several variables, giving the user the choice of choosing the variables. The
user can only select specific preset values for these variable.

Good supplement to text & lecture; provides opportunities for students to
explore. The material can be easily incorporated into homework assignments,
group assignments, and in a tuterial fashion.
Concerns:: Students must review written material before they simply start clicking on
applet. Initial guidance must be provided by an instructor.

There is no evidence given of improvement in student learning given by the
author.

While allowing only "real" values for doping is more realistic, it does not let

the learner see the interaction between variables in a continuous fashion. I
would have preferred giving the user a warning if non-practical values were
selected.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The interface allows a rich set of options for the user to try out various
combinations of inputs. The user is encouraged to explore by the exercises the
author has set up.

Software is robust and easy to use. Having the plots updated dynamically as
junction parameters are changed is useful to provide that qualitative
understanding of the relationships. I found the module easy to use, with a
quick response to input changes.
Concerns:: A teacher's manual could assist instructors in choosing how to use the material
effectively.

The buttons are not very readable on my screen which is set to 1024X768.

Other Issues and Comments:: This applet should help students better understand the topic. It offers
opportunities for visual learners, drill and practice, explorations, and skill
testing

Has this worked for students? Is there evidence students use this, and learn
better having done so?
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