Dictionary of Meaning
<<Back
Please select a letter:
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z |
0-9
Click here for Shopping
Electronics
*** Shopping-Tip: Electronics
The field of '''electronics''' is the study and use of systems that operate by controlling the flow of
electrons in devices such as
thermionic valves and
semiconductors. The design and construction of
electronic circuits to solve practical problems is part of the field of
electronics engineering, and includes the hardware design side of
computer engineering.
'''Electronics''' was defined in 1974 by
KAOS, A.K.A.;
TCBHM as the controlled manipulation of the flow of electrons. The study of new semiconductor devices and their technology is sometimes considered as a branch of
physics. This page focuses on engineering aspects of electronics.
Overview of electronic systems and circuits
Image:Voltmeter.jpg thumb|left|Commercial digital voltmeter checking a prototype
Electronic systems are used to perform a wide variety of tasks. The main uses of electronic circuits are the controlling, processing and distribution of
information, and the conversion and distribution of
electric power. Both of these uses involve the creation or detection of
electromagnetic fields and
electric currents. While electrical energy had been used for some time to transmit data over
Telegraphy telegraphs and
Telephone telephones, the development of electronics truly began in earnest with the advent of
radio.
One way of looking at an electronic system is to divide it into the following parts:
*
Inputs – Electronic or mechanical
sensors (or
transducers), which take signals from outside sources such as antennae or networks, (or signals which represent values of temperature, pressure, etc.) from the physical world and convert them into current/voltage or digital signals.
*
Signal processing circuits – These consist of electronic components connected together to manipulate, interpret and transform the signals. Recently, complex processing has been accomplished with the use of
Digital_signal_processor Digital Signal Processors.
*
Outputs – Actuators or other devices such as transducers that transform current/voltage signals back into useful physical form.
One example is a
television set. Its input is a broadcast signal received by an antenna or fed in through a cable. Signal processing circuits inside the television extract the
brightness,
colour and
sound information from this signal. The output devices are a
cathode ray tube that converts electronic signals into a visible
image on a screen and magnet driven audio speakers.
Electronic devices and components
{{Main|Electronic component}}
An electronic component is any indivisible electronic building block packaged in a discrete form with two or more connecting leads or metallic pads. Components are intended to be connected together, usually by soldering to a printed circuit board, to create an electronic circuit with a particular function (for example an amplifier, radio receiver, or oscillator). Components may be packaged singly (resistor, capacitor, transistor, diode etc) or in more or less complex groups as integrated circuits (operational amplifier, resistor array, logic gate etc).
Active components are more usually called 'devices' as opposed to components.
Analog circuits
{{main|analog circuits}}
Image:HitachiJ100A.jpg right|thumb|250px
Most
analog signal analog electronic appliances, such as
radio receivers, are constructed from combinations of a few types of basic circuits. Analog circuits use a continuous range of voltage as opposed to discrete levels as in digital circuits.
The number of different analog circuits so far devised is huge., especially because a 'circuit' can be defined as anything from a single component, to systems containing thousands of components.
Analogue circuits are sometimes called
linear circuits although many non linear effects are used in analoge circuits such as mixers, modulators etc. Good examples of analog circuits are valve or transistor amplifiers, operational amplifiers and oscillators.
Some analog circuitry these days may use digital or even microprocessor techniques to improve upon the basic performance of the circuit. This type of circuits is usually called 'mixed signal'.
Sometimes it may be difficult to differentiate between analog and digital circuits as they have elements of both linear and non linear operation. An example is the comparator that takes in a continuouse range of voltage but puts out only one of two levels as in a digital circuit. Similarly, a transistor amplifier overdriven can take on the characteristics of a controlled
switch having substantially only two levels of output.
Digital circuits
{{Main|digital circuits}}
Digital circuits are electric circuits based on a number of discrete voltage levels. Digital circuits are the most common mechanical representation of Boolean algebra and are the basis of all digital computers. To most engineers, the terms "digital circuit", "digital system" and "logic" are interchangeable in the context of digital circuits.
In most cases the number of different states of a node is two, represented by two voltage levels labeled "Low" and "High". Often "Low" will be near zero volts and "High" will be at a higher level depending on the supply voltage in use.
Computers, electronic
quartz clock clocks, and
programmable logic controllers (used to control industrial processes) are constructed of
digital circuits.
Digital Signal Processors are another example.
Building-blocks:
*
logic gates
*
flip-flop (electronics) flip-flops
*
counters
*
processor register registers
*
multiplexers
*
Schmitt triggers
Highly integrated devices:
*
microprocessors
*
microcontrollers
*
Digital signal processor (DSP)
*
FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)
Mixed-signal circuits
{{Main|Mixed-signal circuit}}
Mixed-signal circuits refers to integrated circuits (ICs) which have both analog circuits and digital circuits combined on a single semiconductor die or on the same circuit board.
Mixed-signal circuits are becoming increasingly common.
Mixed circuits contain both analog and digital components.
analog to digital converters and
digital to analog converters are the primary examples. Other examples are
transmission gates and buffers.
Heat dissipation and thermal management
{{Main|Thermal management of electronic devices and systems}}
Heat generated by electronic circuitry must be dissipated to prevent immediate failure and improve long term reliability. Techniques for ''heat dissipation'' can include
heatsinks and
fan (implement) fans for air cooling, and other forms of
computer cooling such as
liquid cooling for computers .
Noise
{{main|electronic noise}}
Associated with all electronic circuits is noise. Noise is generally defined as any unwanted signal that is not present at the input of the circuit. Noise is not the same as distortion caused by the circuit.
Electronics theory
{{Main|Mathematical methods in electronics}}
Mathematical methods are integral to the study of electronics. To become proficient in electronics it is also necessary to become proficient in the mathematics of circuit analysis.
Circuit analysis is the study of methods to solve linear systems for the unknown variables such as the voltage at a certain
node or the current though a certain
branch of a
network. A common representation of this is the
SPICE circuit simulator.
Also important to electronics is the study and understanding of
electromagnetic field theory.
Electronic test equipment
{{Main|Electronic test equipment}}
Electronic test equipment is used to create stimulus signals and capture responses from electronic Devices Under Test (DUTs).
In this way, the proper operation of the DUT can be proven or faults in the device can be traced and repaired.
Practical electronics engineering and assembly requires the use of many different kinds of electronic test equipment ranging from the very simple and inexpensive (such as a test light consisting of just a light bulb and a test lead) to extremely complex and sophisticated such as Automatic Test Equipment.
Computer aided design (CAD)
{{Main|Electronic design automation}}
Today's electronics engineers have the ability to
Circuit design design Electrical network circuits using premanufactured building blocks such as
power supply power supplies,
resistors,
capacitors,
semiconductors (such as
transistors), and
integrated circuits.
Electronic design automation software programs include
schematic capture programs such as
ORCAD, used to make
circuit diagrams and
printed circuit board layouts.
Construction methods
Many different methods of connecting components have been used over the years starting with point to point wiring using tag boards attached to chassis, through printed circuit boards and ending with highly integrated circuits.
Some of the methods previously used are:
*
Point-to-point construction
*
Cordwood construction#Other meanings Cordwood construction
*
Wire wrap
*
Printed circuit boards
Branch pages
*
Digital electronics
*
Analogue electronics
*
Microelectronics
*
Fuzzy electronics
*
Circuit Design Electronic Devices and Circuits
*
Integrated circuit
*
Optoelectronics
*
Printed circuit board
*
Semiconductor
*
Semiconductor device
See also
*
Electrical engineering
*
Circuit diagram
*
Signal theory
*
transducer
*
Computer engineering
*
Datasheet
*
Mechatronics
*
E-waste
External links
{{Wikibooks}}
-
Endtas robotics community website with lots of free robotic projects. Do it yourself
-
IEEE
-
IEEE spectrum
-
Electronix Express
-
Electronics Discussions Web access to electronics related newsgroups.
-
Wikidevices.org A MediaWiki-powered website focusing entirely on electronic devices.
-
LinuxLinks.com Linux Electronic Software.
-
All About Circuits Online textbooks covering electricity and electronics.
Tutorials and projects
-
Electronics Infoline Directory for electronics projects.
-
Basic Electronic Tutorials On DC, AC, Semiconductor and Digital Theory Extensive free tutorial material and store.
-
Electronics tutorials Modest site, mostly focused on radio electronics, awkward layout.
* Ian Purdie's [http://my.integritynet.com.au/purdic Electronics tutorials]
* Iguana Labs' [http://www.iguanalabs.com/maintut.htm Electronics Tutorials and Kits]
-
Electronic Meanings and Acronyms
-
Lessons in Electric Circuits – A free series of textbooks on the subjects of electricity and electronics.
-
Radio-Electronics.Com Free information and resources covering radio and electronics
-
Circuit simulator with voltage and current visualization(java applet)
-
A comprehensive guide to making integrated circuits
-
HyperPhysics
-
"Talking Electronics" Great for amateurs, commercial kits.
-
Work Ready Electronics Free instructional online course materials for Community College Electronics Instructors and Students.
-
Electronics and Radio Today Free basic guides and overviews of electronics and electronics principles.
{{Technology}}
Category:Electronics
Category:Electronic engineering
af:Elektroniese ingenieurswese
an:Eleutronica
bn:ইলেকট�রনিক�স
bs:Elektronika
bg:Електроника
ca:Electrònica
cs:Elektronika
da:Elektronik
de:Elektronik
et:Elektroonika
el:ΗλεκτÏ?ονική
es:Electrónica
eo:Elektrotekniko kaj Elektroniko
fa:الکترونیک
fr:Électronique
fy:Elektroanika
fur:Eletroniche
gl:Electrónica
ko:ì „ìž?공학
hr:Elektronika
io:Elektroniko
id:Elektronika
is:Rafeindatækni
it:Elettronica
he:×?×œ×§×˜×¨×•× ×™×§×”
la:Electronica
lt:Elektronika
hu:Elektronika
ms:Elektronik
my:အီလက္‌ထရ္�န္‌းနစ္‌
nl:Elektronica
ja:é›»å?å·¥å¦
no:Elektronikk
nn:Elektronikk
nds:Elektronik
pl:Elektronika
pt:Eletrônica
ro:Electronică
ru:Ðлектроника
scn:Alittrònica
simple:Electronics
sk:Elektronika
sl:Elektronika
sr:Електроника
sh:Elektronika
fi:Elektroniikka
sv:Elektronik
th:à¸à¸´à¹€à¸¥à¹‡à¸?ทรà¸à¸™à¸´à¸?ส์
vi:Ä?iện tá» há»?c
uk:Електроніка
zh:电å?å¦
{{sisterlinkswp|Category:Electronics}}
{{commonscat|Electronics}}
'''Electronics''' is the study and use of
electricity electrical devices that operate by controlling the flow of
electrons or other
electric charge electrically-charged particles in devices such as
thermionic valves and
semiconductors. The pure study of such devices is considered as a branch of
physics, while the design and construction of
electronic circuits to solve practical problems is part of the fields of
electrical engineering, electronic engineering and
computer engineering.
{{catmore}}
Category:Electromagnetism
Category:Technology
Category:Electrical engineering
Category:Electronic engineering
Category:Communication engineering
ca:Categoria:Electrònica
cs:Kategorie:Elektronika
da:Kategori:Elektronik
de:Kategorie:Elektronik
es:CategorÃa:Electrónica
fr:Catégorie:Électronique
ja:Category:é›»å?å·¥å¦
ko:분류:ì „ìž?공학
hu:Kategória:Elektronika
mt:Category:Elettronika
no:Kategori:Elektronikk
nn:Kategori:Elektronikk
nl:Categorie:Elektronica
fi:Luokka:Elektroniikka
pl:Kategoria:Elektronika
pt:Categoria:Eletrônica
ru:КатегориÑ?:Ðлектроника
sk:Kategória:Elektronika
sv:Kategori:Elektronik
uk:КатегоріÑ?:Електроніка
tr:Kategori:Elektronik
vi:Thể loại:Ä?iện tá» há»?c
{{browsebar noblank}}
{{/box-header|
The {{PAGENAME}} Portal|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Intro|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Intro}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''Selected article''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Selected article|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Selected article}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''Selected picture''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Selected picture|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Selected picture}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''Did you know...''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Did you know|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Did you know}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''{{PAGENAME}} topics''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/{{PAGENAME}} topics|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/{{PAGENAME}} topics}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''Web resources''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Web resources|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Web resources}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|?|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/?|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/?}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|??|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/??|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/??}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''Related portals''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Related portals|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Related portals}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''{{PAGENAME}} news''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/{{PAGENAME}} news|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/{{PAGENAME}} news}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''Selected biography''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Selected biography|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Selected biography}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''Quotes''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Quotes|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Quotes}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''{{PAGENAME}} lists''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/{{PAGENAME}} lists|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/{{PAGENAME}} lists}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''Categories''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Categories|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Categories}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''WikiProjects''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/WikiProjects|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/WikiProjects}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|''Things you can do''|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Things you can do|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/Things you can do}}
{{/box-footer|}}
{{/box-header|???|{{FULLPAGENAME}}/???|}}
{{{{FULLPAGENAME}}/???}}
{{/box-footer|}}
