Electronics

Electronics is a part of science and engineering that looks at how to make devices using the behavior of electrons and other electrically charged particles. It is related to physics and electrical engineering. Electronics uses special parts like transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits to control electric current. These devices can change energy from one type to another, such as turning alternating current into direct current.

Electronic devices have changed many areas of our lives, including telecommunications, entertainment, education, health care, industry, and security. The growth of electronics is driven by the semiconductor industry, which makes more advanced devices to meet needs around the world.

For personal or home use electronic devices, see Consumer electronics. For the journal, see Electronics (magazine).

History and development

See also: History of electronics engineering and Timeline of electrical and electronics engineering

Important discoveries in the late 1800s and early 1900s started the field of electronics. Scientists made devices that could control tiny electric currents. This led to inventions like radios and televisions.

The invention of the transistor in 1947 changed everything. It was smaller and better than older parts. It helped create modern computers and many other devices we use today. Over time, engineers learned to build even smaller parts and put many of them together on a single chip. This made electronics smaller, faster, and more powerful.

Subfields

Electronics has many different areas of study and work. Some important subfields are Analog electronics, Audio electronics, Avionics, Bioelectronics, Circuit design, Digital electronics, Electronic components, Embedded systems, Integrated circuits, Microelectronics, Nanoelectronics, Optoelectronics, Power electronics, Printed circuit boards, Semiconductor devices, Sensors, and Telecommunications. These areas help make the devices we use every day, like music players and medical tools. Each subfield looks at different ways to control electric currents to create useful tools and machines.

Devices and components

Main article: Electronic component

An electronic component is a part used in electronic systems or devices. These parts are connected together, often on a special board, to make a circuit that does something useful. Some parts work by themselves, while others are grouped together in tiny chips. Simple parts include capacitors, inductors, and resistors. More complex parts, like transistors, help control electricity.

Types of circuits

Electronic circuits come in two main types: analog and digital. Analog circuits use a smooth range of voltages or currents to process signals. Digital circuits use only two levels, called 0 and 1.

In the past, analog circuits were common in devices like radios. Today, many tasks use digital methods instead.

Digital circuits are the basis of modern computers and many electronic devices. They use simple on/off signals to do complex tasks. These circuits are made with tiny parts called transistors. They can be simple switches or very advanced chips that power computers and other tools.

Main article: Analog electronics

Main article: Digital electronics

• Logic gates
• Adders
• Flip-flops
• Counters
• Registers
• Multiplexers
• Schmitt triggers

Highly integrated devices:

• Memory chip
• Microprocessors
• Microcontrollers
• Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)
• Digital signal processor (DSP)
• Field-programmable gate array (FPGA)
• Field-programmable analog array (FPAA)
• System on chip (SOC)

Design

Electronic systems design is about making devices such as mobile phones and computers. It involves planning how these devices will work and making sure they work well.

Engineers test their designs in labs to check if everything works as planned. Today, many use computer programs to simulate these tests. These programs help design circuits using parts like power supplies and small components that control electricity.

Negative qualities

Thermal management

Main article: Thermal management of electronic devices and systems

Electronic devices can make heat. We need to take the heat away so the devices work well. If too much heat builds up, the device might break. We can help by using things like heat sinks and fans that move air, or even water cooling. These things help keep devices cool.

Noise

Main article: Electronic noise

Sometimes, electronic devices pick up extra signals that we do not want. These extra signals are called noise. Noise can make it hard to hear or see what we really want. Noise happens in all electronic devices. It can come from heat or other things, and making the device cooler can help reduce some noise.

Packaging methods

Main articles: Electronic packaging and Semiconductor package

Over the years, many ways to connect parts in electronics have been used. Early electronics often used point to point wiring with parts placed on wooden boards. Other methods included cordwood construction and wire wrap. Today, most electronics use printed circuit boards made from materials like FR-4 and FR-2. Parts are attached to these boards using either through-hole or surface mount techniques.

Industry

Further information: Consumer electronics, List of best-selling electronic devices, and Semiconductor industry

The electronics industry has many parts. The semiconductor industry is the most important part. It makes a lot of money each year. The biggest part of the electronics industry is e-commerce.

The most common electronic device made is the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). In the 1960s, U.S. companies had trouble competing with Japanese companies like Sony and Hitachi. By the 1980s, U.S. companies became leaders in making semiconductors.

Later, the industry moved mostly to East Asia. Today, Taiwan leads in advanced semiconductors, followed by South Korea, the United States, Japan, Singapore, and China. Important semiconductor factories are also found in Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and Israel.