Electronics
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[[Image:Arduino ftdi chip-1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Surface mount electronic components]]
Electronical shoes have now been introduces into the US navy and high heel factories. Navy men must wear these electronic high heels and must benifent from women.
'''Electronics''' is the study of the flow of charge through various materials and devices such as [[semiconductor]]s, [[resistor]]s, [[inductor]]s, [[capacitor]]s, nano-structures and [[thermionic valves|vacuum tubes]]. Although considered to be a theoretical branch of [[physics]], the design and construction of [[electronic circuit]]s to solve practical problems is an essential technique in the fields of [[electronic engineering]] and [[computer engineering]].
This science starts about 1908 with the invention by Dr Lee De Forest of the valve (triode)
Before 1950 this science was named "Radio" or "Radio technics" because that was its principal application.
The study of new semiconductor devices and surrounding technology is sometimes considered a branch of [[physics]]. This article focuses on [[engineering]] aspects of electronics.
==Electronic devices and components ==
{{Main|Electronic component}}
An electronic component is any physical entity in an electronic system whose intention is to affect the electrons or their associated fields in a desired manner consistent with the intended function of the electronic system. Components are generally intended to be in mutual electromechanical contact, usually by being [[soldering|soldered]] to a [[printed circuit board]] (PCB), to create an electronic circuit with a particular function (for example an amplifier, radio receiver, or oscillator). Components may be packaged singly or in more or less complex groups as integrated circuits. Some common electronic components are [[capacitor]]s, [[resistor]]s, [[diode]]s, [[transistor]]s etc.
==Types of circuits==
=== Analog circuits ===
{{main|Analog circuits}}
[[Image:HitachiJ100A.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Hitachi J100 adjustable frequency drive chassis.]]
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.
Analog circuits are sometimes called [[linear circuit]]s although many non-linear effects are used in analog circuits such as mixers, modulators, etc. Good examples of analog circuits include vacuum tube and 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 circuit 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 which takes in a continuous range of voltage but puts out only one of two levels as in a digital circuit. Similarly, an overdriven transistor amplifier can take on the characteristics of a controlled [[switch]] having essentially 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 physical 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"(0) and "High"(1). Often "Low" will be near zero volts and "High" will be at a higher level depending on the supply voltage in use.
[[Computer]]s, electronic [[quartz clock|clock]]s, and [[programmable logic controller]]s (used to control industrial processes) are constructed of [[digital]] circuits. [[Digital Signal Processor]]s are another example.
Building-blocks:
* [[Logic gate]]s
* [[Adder (electronics)|Adder]]s
* [[Binary multiplier|Binary Multiplier]]s
* [[Flip-flop (electronics)|Flip-Flop]]s
* [[Counter]]s
* [[Processor register|Register]]s
* [[Multiplexer]]s
* [[Schmitt trigger]]s
Highly integrated devices:
* [[Microprocessor]]s
* [[Microcontroller]]s
* [[Application-specific integrated circuit]](ASIC)
* [[Digital signal processor]] (DSP)
* [[Field-programmable gate array]] (FPGA)
=== Mixed-signal circuits ===
{{Main|Mixed-signal integrated 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 integrated circuit|Mixed-signal circuit]]s are becoming increasingly common. Mixed circuits are usually used to control an [[analogue electronics|analog]] device using digital logic, for example the speed of a motor.
[[Analog to digital converter]]s and [[digital to analog converter]]s are the primary examples. Other examples are [[transmission gate]]s 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 [[heatsink]]s and [[fan (mechanical)|fans]] for air cooling, and other forms of [[computer cooling]] such as [[water cooling]]. These techniques use [[convection]], [[Heat conduction|conduction]], & [[radiation]] of heat energy.
== Noise ==
{{main|Electronic noise}}
Noise is associated with all electronic circuits. Noise is defined<ref>IEEE Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms ISBN-13: 978-0471428060</ref> as unwanted disturbances superposed on a useful signal that tend to obscure its information content. Noise is not the same as signal distortion caused by a 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 of solving generally linear systems for unknown variables such as the voltage at a certain [[Node (circuits)|node]] or the current though a certain [[Path (graph theory)|branch]] of a [[Graph (mathematics)|network]]. A common analytical tool for 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]] [[Electronic circuit|circuit]]s using premanufactured building blocks such as [[power supply|power supplies]], [[semiconductor]]s (such as [[transistor]]s), and [[integrated circuit]]s. [[Electronic design automation]] software programs include [[schematic capture]] programs and [[printed circuit board]] design programs. Popular names in the EDA software world are [[NI Multisim]], Cadence ([[ORCAD]]), Eagle PCB and Schematic, Mentor (PADS PCB and LOGIC Schematic), Altium (Protel), LabCentre Electronics (Proteus) and many others.
== Construction methods ==
{{Main|Electronic packaging}}
Many different methods of connecting components have been used over the years. For instance, early electronics often used [[Point-to-point construction|point to point wiring]] with components attached to wooden breadboards to construct circuits. [[Printed circuit board#.22Cordwood.22 construction|Cordwood construction]] and [[wire wrap]]s were other methods used. Most modern day electronics now use [[printed circuit board]]s (made of [[FR4]]), and highly [[integrated circuit]]s. Health and environmental concerns associated with electronics assembly have gained increased attention in recent years, especially for products destined to the European Union, with its [[Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive]] (RoHS) and [[Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive]] (WEEE), which went into force in July 2006.
==Electronics industry==
*[[Semiconductor sales leaders by year]]
==Branch pages==
*[[Digital electronics]]
*[[Analogue electronics]]<!-- Comment -->
*[[Microelectronics]]
*[[Fuzzy electronics]]
*[[Circuit Design]]
*[[Integrated circuit]]
*[[Optoelectronics]]<!-- lol -->
*[[Semiconductor]]
*[[Semiconductor device]]
==See also==
{{portalpar|Electronics|Nuvola_apps_ksim.png}}
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
*[[Analog signal processing]]
*[[Circuit diagram]]
*[[Computer engineering]]
*[[Datasheet]]
*[[Digital signal processing]]
*[[E-waste]]
*[[Electrical engineering]]
*[[Electronic circuit]]
*[[Electronic tuner]]
*[[Electronic Waste Recycling Fee]]
*[[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers|IEEE]] - the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
*[[List of 4000 series integrated circuits]]
*[[List of 7400 series integrated circuits]]
*[[Mechatronics]]
*[[Signal theory]]
*[[Transducer]]
</div>
== References ==
{{refimprove|article|date=June 2007}}
{{Reflist}}
2. The Art of Electronics ISBN-13: 978-0521370950
3. All New Electronics Self Teaching Guide ISBN-13: 978-0470289617
==External links==
* [http://www.audiocircuits.wikidot.com Audio Circuits]
* [http://www.circuits.wikidot.com Circuits1]
* [http://www.freecircuits.wikidot.com Circuits2]
{{Wikibooks}}
* [http://www.phy.davidson.edu/instrumentation/NEETS.htm Navy 1998 Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series (NEETS)]
* DOE 1998 Electrical Science, Fundamentals Handbook, 4 vols.
** [http://hss.energy.gov/NuclearSafety/techstds/standard/hdbk1011/h1011v1.pdf Vol. 1, Basic Electrical Theory, Basic DC Theory]
** [http://hss.energy.gov/NuclearSafety/techstds/standard/hdbk1011/h1011v2.pdf Vol. 2, DC Circuits, Batteries, Generators, Motors]
** [http://hss.energy.gov/NuclearSafety/techstds/standard/hdbk1011/h1011v3.pdf Vol. 3, Basic AC Theory, Basic AC Reactive Components, Basic AC Power, Basic AC Generators]
** [http://hss.energy.gov/NuclearSafety/techstds/standard/hdbk1011/h1011v4.pdf Vol. 4, AC Motors, Transformers, Test Instruments & Measuring Devices, Electrical Distribution Systems]
* {{dmoz|Science/Technology/Electronics/Tutorials/|Electronics Tutorials}}
* {{dmoz|Science/Technology/Electronics/Reference/Circuit_Archives/|Electronics Schematics}}
* {{dmoz|Recreation/Audio/Do-It-Yourself/|DIY Audio Projects}}
* {{dmoz|Shopping/Consumer_Electronics/Communications/Wireless/Radios/Kits_and_Components/|DIY Radio Projects}}
* {{dmoz|Business/Electronics_and_Electrical/Components/|Sources of Electronic Components}}
*[http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/electricCircuits/ Lessons in Electric Circuits] - A free series of textbooks on the subjects of electricity and electronics.
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{{Technology}}
[[Category:Electronics| ]]
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