The Confusing 6th semester, EEE, VTU

Hi folks, here is the what-to-do and what-not-to-do helpbook for the weary 6th semester EEE student (VTU)

Don't relax, this is one of the most crucial semesters. You can either make it or mar it. It is the time when ppl start settling down because they see an Oasis in sight. But, it is this stupid mirage that tells you, "you are invincible"....i would say you aren't...

> Power System Analysis and Stability (PSA) is a hardcore EEE subject. It is very chaseable, provided you are on your 4x4 Buggy. All it has is some diagrams (diff types), matrices, equations and Networks. If you are good at imagining a good amount of Power System (Generation-Transmission-Distribution-Utilization), you are done studying this subject.

A good book for this is...

Modern Power System Analysis, TMH, I J Nagrath and D P Kothari...

Locally available Neelkantan is a good book....if you can list out all the errors in the book (you require a good tutor who can hunt these errors)

Hadi Sadat's Power System Analysis is good reference book.

> Switchgear and Protection (SGP) is a hardcore EEE subject. It is just theory about practical components of a good power system. It look very easy, it is easy to study, but really hard to score...because referring an easy textbook like Bakshi & Bakshi, Technical Publication causes this mirage. Refer the prescribed textbook,

Switchgear and Protection, Sunil S Rao, Khanna Publications for the best results. Mostly your level of performance in this subject in the clarity of your understanding in drawing the 2-D diagrams of different devices.

> Electrical Machine Design (EMD) is "the toughest" subject in EEE @ VTU and probably in BE @ VTU itself. It all comes down to your understanding of every single foundation of Electricals. It is mainly those weary long derivations and lengthy problems that are tough to understand. But, once you understand the principle behind the derivation and objective behind the problem, it seems less difficult. This subject, no matter what requires a really good teacher. Books hardly matter. The way it is taught and learnt matters. Unlike what I did, I advice you to take up some good coaching [to be read as tuitions :)] Once you are thorough with the understanding, you may go face the exam with atleast a handful of arrows.
As far as books are concerned,
referring "A Course In Electrical Machine Design" by A K Sawhney is very important.
That apart, refer "Electrical Machine Design" by Nagurkani which is like a simplified(VTUfied) version of A K Sawhney.
Also, find some helpful photocopy notes @ Krishna Xerox, Malleshwaram.

> Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is the successor of S&S. It is also very mathematical with beauty hidden behing those mundane mathematical procedures. Understand the meanings behind those equations and diagrams. Then this will turn out to be one enjoyable and scoring subject. Taking tuitions will help although I didn't.
Digital Signal Processing Principle, Algorithm & application- Proakis, Pearson education/PHI is a good book to be referred.
Digital Signal Processing by Chitode, Technical Publication also helps to get a look into previous years question paper problems.

> Electrical Drawing and CAD (ED) is a very enjoyable subject. With Mini-drafters and drawing boards, you learn to design electrical machines of all varieties. You even learn winding diagrams and power plant design. This easy subject can either be mastered or left unlearnt. You choose. More than the textbook / study material, the way you practically work with the instruments with your imagination and understanding is important.
Electrical Drafting -Devalapur, S. F., Eastern Book Promoters, Belgaum, 2006 is definitely worth to quickly grab the concepts. But, back this understanding with sheer hardwork and practice.

> Object Oriented Programming using C++ (OOPS) is the successor of C. Here the concept and objective of OOP, if understood in the real sense, shall help you score really well. Most of it is theory, with very few programs. Also, this a subject which would mean a lot for your placements.
Object Oriented Programming with C++- Balagurusamy, E. -TMH, 3rd edition, 2007 is a textbook worth reading. Apart from it, lots of books are available to strengthen your understanding of OOP concept and C++ programming.

The Tricky 5th Semester, EEE, VTU

Hi folks, here is my tip to the confused soul of a 5th semester EEE student (VTU)...

Some of you might have faced the 2nd year with courage or sheer stress. But, remain unfazed... Even if you have not been able to do well, there is lots of scope to do well...inspite this being one of the toughest semesters of BE (EEE)

> Management and Entrepreneurship (M&E) is clearly a theory subject which according to me depends on your ability to express your ideas technically. It is an enjoyable subject that does not demand much attention as do the other core subjects of the semester. Recommended textbooks are:

1) Principles of Management - PC Tripati, P N Reddy, THM Hill,

2) Dynamics of Entrepreneurial Development & Management - Vasant Desai Himalaya Publishing House... Both are good reads and very informative. However, people claim they are too big to be digested and buy local author books like one by 'Naidu'. But, scoring is something like sheer luck... don't be sure to score well as the corrections would be...you know ;)

> Signals and Systems (S&S) is clearly one of the best engineering subjects of EEE Branch. It is purely mathematical (called 'Engg Maths-4'). If you can understand the physical significance of the equations you derive and solve, the subject will definitely leave you spell bound from the sheer simplicity of its working and the complexities of its applications. I took tuitions @ PATE, Jayanagar, B'lore-11 under Mr. Satheesh (Asst. Prof), who made us work lots of problems. As he had taught us to physically understand the equations, we had a really nice time solving about 350 problems in the tuitions. I would recommend him for Signals and Systems. As far as the textbooks are concerned, 1.) Signals and Systems - Simon Haykin and Barry Van Veen, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 is a really good book to grab the concepts, but for you to get some more questions, refer Old Question Papers and Signals and Systems by Chithode or Ganesh Rao. This is a good subject with very bright oppurtunities for a career in electronics industry...

> Transmission and Distribution (T&D) is a core electrical subject which is relatively easy. Only with thorough understanding of the transmission and distribution systems, you will be able to score. Knowledge of Field theory becomes essential in some parts of this subject. The prescribed textbook, 1.) A Course in Electrical Power - Soni Gupta & Bhatnagar, Dhanpat Rai & Sons (New Delhi) is a good book. But with a few topics missing and the apparent complexity of the knowledge in the book, most people stick onto book by Bakshi, Technical Publications.

> DC Machines and Synchronous Machines (DCM) is yet another core Electrical subject which deals with DC and Sync. Machines. It is a really enjoyable subject only if you can go beyond just the mindless formulas and pages of theory. Imagination of the working of these machines will not only help you get a sound understanding, but prepare you for the Laboratory of this subject which appears in the 6th semester. As far as the books are concerned, there are many, yet none are complete. So, you may have to refer a few good books to catch hold of its significance. Locally available book by Bakshi is also a good book, but remember only from the scoring point of view. To get really good marks boost your understanding by reading prescribed textbooks or books by B L Thereja.

> Modern Control Theory (MCT) is a subject which is a continuation of the Control Systems. Deeper you go into the modern aspects of Control Systems, easier it actually gets. Modern Control Theory is one of the subjects of 5th semester where you can score really well. Digital control & state variable methods- M. Gopal, 2nd edition, THM Hill 2003 and Control system Engineering- I. J. Nagarath & M. Gopal, 3rd edition, New Age International (P) Ltd. are the prescribed textbooks. Both are good and deliver a sound understanding of the subject. I took tuitions @ PATE, Jayanagar, B'lore-11 under Mr. Mallikarjun (HOD and Prof.), who made us work lots of problems. Practice is the key to a good score in MCT.

> Linear IC's and Applications (LICA) is one of the tough subject of 5th semester, EEE. A good knowledge of AEC (3rd Sem) will be of much use for the study. There are hundred and above circuits to remember and a dozen design approaches. So, being able to identify and discriminate between different problems is the skill required.

Operational amplifiers and linear IC’s - David A Bell, PHI 2008 and

Operational amplifiers and linear IC's - Ramakanth A Gayakwad, Pearson, 4th edition, 2007

are the important textbooks. There isn't much theory to be studied understood under this subject. A good understanding of LICA is required to simplify the work in Circuit Simulation and Measurements Lab(CSML).

> Circuit Simulation & Measurements Lab (CSML) is an application lab of both electrical measurements and linear ICs. It both actual experiments of LIC as well as their computer simulation using a software package...PSpice Student. Measurements experiments are very easy to conduct, so expect tough viva questions...whereas in LIC expts, getting the output itself is a trick (be strong in your LIC Design).

> Transformers and Induction Machines Lab (TIML) is an application lab of the subject Transformers and Induction Machines. It is clearly the toughest Lab in EEE Branch...Success isn't guaranteed here unless you understand the real basics in TIM. Most of the experiments have elaborate connections to make and more intricate procedures to follow. Beware, every step is a potential fall down the crevice. But, one thing is clear...if you could handle TIM well in either your study/exam, then you can relax in this lab. You can do really well. Ofcourse, the Viva will be testing you to your limits of Knowledge and Guts. 'Relax and Focus' is the key to success. Refer the best available manual...concentrate on the procedure or else you could blow up the lab :D

ALL THE BEST!!!

The Challenging 4th Semester, EEE, VTU

Hi folks, here is my tip to the 4rd semester EEE student (VTU)....

> Engineering Mathematics-4 (M4) is one of the easiest of all the four we study in engineering. I referred Dr. K S C's Engg Math-4 Book. It is very Good and is beautifully written and structured for the subject conforming to syllabus. Concentrate on the Statistics, part-b of the Syllabus (it is more difficult than part-a)

> Microcontrollers (MC) was one of my fav subjects in 4rd sem. It is usually the fad in electronic projects of 8th Semester. I referred the books: For PART-A: Kenneth J. Ayala ; “The 8051 Microcontroller Architecture, Programming & Applications” 2e, Penram International, 1996 / Thomson Learning 2005. For PART-B: Muhammad Ali Mazidi and Janice Gillespie Mazidi and Rollin D. McKinlay; “The 8051 Microcontroller and Embedded Systems – using assembly and C ”- PHI, 2006 / Pearson, 2006

> Control systems (CS) was my fav subject in 4th sem. Tuitions of RCS @ SSM taught me not just the subject but rather its soul. Everything is elegant in this subject. Study it with lots of passion. I referred Control Systems by Bakshi as a supplement to my tuition notes.

> Field Theory (FT) is another classical Physics subject which can bring joy if you can capture the subject in your imagination. I partly referred the book, “Engineering Electromagnetics”, William H Hayt Jr. and John A Buck, Tata McGraw-Hill, 7th edition, 2006. I also took tuitions by RCS @ SSM. Only his teaching is solely responsible for the liking I developed for the subject. I studied his tuition notes mainly. The implications of stuff studied in FT are apparent only in your higher semester subjects.

> Power Electronics (PE) is clearly one of the hottest branches of EEE. PE provides a sound basic for higher study in this subject. I studied the book, “Power Electronics”, M.H.Rashid 2nd Edition, P.H.I. /Pearson, New Delhi, 2002. Mainly i referred to "Power Electronics", J. S. Chithode (inspite of its raw dealing with the subject)

> Transformers and Induction Machines (TIM) is one of the core subjects of our Branch. A sound understanding of this subject is required for both subjects later as well as the TIM lab. I referred to "Transformers and Induction Machines" by Bakshi, Technical Publications. But to score well and understand the subject well, please refer to the books, “Theory of Alternating Current Machines”, Alexander Langsdorf, T.M.H. and “Electric Machines”, I. J. Nagrath and D. P. Kothari, 2nd Edition, T.M.H.

> Microcontrollers Lab (MC Lab) requires the best possible understanding of the assembly and C programming. The skill in both these shall be an enormous benefit to successful completion of MC Lab. Refer a good manual, moreover be prepared to write your own version of the programs...

> Power Electronics Lab (PE Lab) is a direct applicatin of circuits studied in the theory part of the subject. Ability to predict the outcome and behaviour of a PE Circuit shall be a booster in this Lab. Refer a good manual and study lots of theory...

ALL THE BEST!!!

The Intimidating 3rd Semester, EEE, VTU

Hi folks, here I have given my honest opinion about things that bother a 3rd semester EEE student (VTU)....

> Engineering Mathematics-3 (M3) is the easiest of all the four we study in engineering.

Honestly I referred Dr. K S C's Engg Math-3 Book. It is very Good and is beautifully written and structured for the subject conforming to syllabus.

> Analog Electronics Circuits (AEC) was my fav subject in 3rd sem. I referred the book

"Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory", 9th Edn, Boylestad and Nashelsky, Pearson Publication

It is a well written book which ofcourse i had supplemented by taking tuitions under YJ @ SSM.

Try to enjoy studying AEC by going to his tuitions.

> Logic Design (LD) is an easy subject but tricky remember. Study it well. I referred two books, one by Yarbrough and another by Donald D Givone. Both are excellently written no doubt, but Givone is a better one.

> Network Analysis (NA) is another subject which brought me joy. I referred to a book by Dr Ganesh Rao which is a good option. But, honestly this is subject which requires not only a well written book but one with lots and lots of problems (solved and unsolved). Practice is the key for success in this subject. I also took tuitions by RCS @ SSM. He is the only engg teacher I revere, no doubts about that. I have no words to describe his teaching :)

> Electrical Measurements (EM) is a good subject often neglected by most students since they consider it to be boring theory and non-mathematic. It actually is the subject which lays strong foundations for sound knowledge in our field. I studied a book by Bakshi. But i will ask you to read a better book like A K Sawhney.

> Electrical Power Generation (EPG) was the easiest subject of the semester. I studied the book by Chakraborti, Soni, Gupta and Bhatnagar. Most important thing you should remember is to learn to draw good diagrams...I loved drawing and I still do...:)

> Analog Electronics Lab and Logic Design Lab (AECL and LDL) are probably the best labs in engineering. I enjoyed them the most. I liked working with tiny components and ICs (minus my sluggish team).

Refer a good manual given by your college or here I will post one shortly...

ALL THE BEST

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