Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
APRN D060B
Course Title (CB02)
Automotive Electronics
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2021
Course Description
Application of computer control principles to automotive systems. Operation of automotive electronic control systems, including commonly used sensors, actuators, and displays. Introduction to diagnostic methods and test equipment for automotive electronic control systems. Preparation for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) examination in Areas A6, A8, and L1.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This is an apprenticeship course that is only offered to a target population of students who have been approved for the Automotive Technologies Apprenticeship Program. It was developed based on essential requirements for California State Smog Technician Licensing and the subsequent fulfillment of NATEF (National Automotive Technician's Education Foundation) accreditation standards. Data from our advisory committee indicates a need for an automotive technician possessing an array of workplace skills as well as a unique blend of academic and technical skills.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.5
Maximum Credit Units
4.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.59.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
54.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
54.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
108.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
108.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

(Open only to apprentices in the Automotive Technologies Apprenticeship Program (an approved program by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards).)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Required reading from texts and handouts
  2. Outside assignments such as research of an assigned topic
  3. Electrical system worksheets
  4. Multiple choice and/or essay quizzes
  5. A comprehensive and objective final examination.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Weekly objective multiple choice and/or essay quizzes evaluated for accuracy, covering the weeks lecture units, assigned reading, and relative data obtained from assigned research and electrical system worksheets.
  2. Electrical system worksheets are graded for accuracy based on a point system.
  3. Comprehensive and objective final examination consisting of multiple choice and/or essay questions.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Safety glasses for laboratory demonstrations
Essential College Facilities:
  • Classroom with access to automotive technology laboratory for demonstrations

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Auto Staff '60B Automotive Electronics 2018' °®¶¹´«Ã½ College, Cupertino, CA 95014
Handouts and worksheets as required.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
All Data (http://library.alldatapro.com/alldata/) electronic information system (web based)
Shopkey5 (http://www.shopkey5.com/) electronic information system (web based)

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Identify and explain the operation of basic computer systems.
  • Review basic electrical fundamentals.
  • Identify and describe the basic parts of a digital computer as applied to automotive controls. Understand analog and digital systems and identify analog and digital devices and signals in automotive systems.
  • Explain the use of appropriate test equipment to perform area and pinpoint tests on various control systems.
  • Describe sensor input signals to a computer and computer output control of actuators and displays.
  • Identify trouble codes on systems with self-diagnostic capabilities.

CSLOs

  • Analyze the operation of engine control systems where computer management is prevalent.

Outline

  1. Identify and explain the operation of basic computer systems.
    1. Automotive computer systems
    2. Basic Computer Functions: Input, Processing, Storage, Output
  2. Review basic electrical fundamentals.
    1. Current, voltage, resistance
    2. Series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits
    3. Ohm's and Kirchhoff's law
    4. Circuit diagram review
  3. Identify and describe the basic parts of a digital computer as applied to automotive controls. Understand analog and digital systems and identify analog and digital devices and signals in automotive systems.
    1. Semiconductor principles
    2. Diodes
    3. Transistors
      1. Output drivers
      2. Pulse width modulation
    4. Capacitors
    5. Integrated circuits (IC)
    6. Analog and digital definitions and examples (binary numbers as high-low voltage signals)
    7. Digital logic
    8. Computer programs
    9. Parts of a computer
      1. Microprocessor (CPU)
      2. Memory-RAM & ROM
      3. Clock
    10. Open- and closed-loop fuel control
  4. Explain the use of appropriate test equipment to perform area and pinpoint tests on various control systems.
    1. Digital meters
    2. Test lights and Power Probe
    3. Lab scope introduction
  5. Describe sensor input signals to a computer and computer output control of actuators and displays.
    1. Sensor characteristics
    2. Measurement commodities
    3. Resistive sensors
      1. Reference voltage
      2. Switches, potentiometers, thermistors, piezoresistive sensors (knock)
      3. Heated resistive sensors (MAF sensors)
      4. Frequency-modulated sensors
    4. Voltage generators
      1. Pickup coils and Hall-effect sensors
      2. Optical sensors
      3. O2 sensors and air fuel ratio sensors
  6. Identify trouble codes on systems with self-diagnostic capabilities.
    1. Domestic computer control systems, GM, Ford, and Chrysler
    2. Asian import computer control systems, Toyota, Honda, Nissan.
    3. European computer control systems, VW, BMW, Mercedes.
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