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{{short description|Electronic engineering involved in the design of electronic circuits, devices, and their systems}}
[[Image:Silego clock generator.JPG|thumb|right|[[Printed circuit board]]]]

'''Electronic engineering''' is a sub-discipline of [[electrical engineering]] that emerged in the early 20th century and is distinguished by the additional use of [[active component|active]] components such as [[semiconductor device]]s to amplify and control electric current flow. Previously electrical engineering only used passive devices such as mechanical switches, resistors, inductors, and capacitors.

It covers fields such as [[analog electronics]], [[digital electronics]], [[consumer electronics]], [[embedded systems]] and [[power electronics]]. It is also involved in many related fields, for example [[solid-state physics]], [[radio engineering]], [[telecommunications]], [[control systems]], [[signal processing]], [[systems engineering]], [[computer engineering]], [[instrumentation engineering]], [[electric power control]], [[photonics]] and [[robotics]].

The [[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]] (IEEE) is one of the most important professional bodies for electronics engineers in the US; the equivalent body in the UK is the [[Institution of Engineering and Technology]] (IET). The [[International Electrotechnical Commission]] (IEC) publishes electrical standards including those for electronics engineering.

== History and development==
{{Main|History of electronic engineering}}

{{main|Electronics}}

Electronics engineering as a [[profession]] emerged following the identification of the electron in 1897 and the subsequent invention of the [[vacuum tube]] which could amplify and rectify small electrical signals, that inaugurated the field of electronics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200010/history.cfm|title=October 1897: The Discovery of the Electron|access-date=2018-09-19}}</ref> Practical applications started with the invention of the [[diode]] by [[Ambrose Fleming]] and the [[triode]] by [[Lee De Forest]] in the early 1900s, which made the detection of small electrical voltages such as [[radio signal]]s from a [[antenna (radio)|radio antenna]] possible with a non-mechanical device. The growth of electronics was rapid. By the early 1920s, commercial radio broadcasting and communications were becoming widespread and electronic amplifiers were being used in such diverse applications as long-distance telephony and the music recording industry.

The discipline was further enhanced by the large amount of electronic systems development during [[World War II]] in such as [[radar]] and [[sonar]], and the subsequent peace-time consumer revolution following the invention of [[transistor]] by [[William Shockley]], [[John Bardeen]] and [[Walter Brattain]].

== Specialist areas ==
Electronics engineering has many subfields. This section describes some of the most popular.

'''Electronic signal processing''' deals with the analysis and manipulation of [[signal (information theory)|signals]]. Signals can be either [[analog signal|analog]], in which case the signal varies continuously according to the information, or [[Digital signal (electronics)|digital]], in which case the signal varies according to a series of discrete values representing the information.

For analog signals, signal processing may involve the [[Amplifier|amplification]] and [[audio filter|filtering]] of audio signals for audio equipment and the [[modulation]] and [[demodulation]] of radio frequency signals for [[telecommunication]]s. For digital signals, signal processing may involve [[Data compression|compression]], [[error checking]] and [[error detection]], and correction.

'''Telecommunications engineering''' deals with the [[transmission (telecommunications)|transmission]] of [[information]] across a medium such as a [[coax cable|co-axial cable]], an [[optical fiber]], or [[free space]]. Transmissions across free space require information to be encoded in a [[carrier wave]] in order to be transmitted, this is known as [[modulation]]. Popular analog modulation techniques include [[amplitude modulation]] and [[frequency modulation]].

Once the transmission characteristics of a system are determined, telecommunication engineers design the [[transmitter]]s and [[receiver (radio)|receivers]] needed for such systems. These two are sometimes combined to form a two-way communication device known as a [[transceiver]]. A key consideration in the design of transmitters is their [[power consumption]] as this is closely related to their [[signal strength]]. If the signal strength of a transmitter is insufficient the signal's information will be corrupted by [[signal noise|noise]].

'''Aviation'''-'''electronics engineering''' and '''Aviation-telecommunications engineering,''' are concerned with [[aerospace]] applications. Aviation-[[Telecommunications engineering|telecommunication engineers]] include specialists who work on airborne avionics in the aircraft or ground equipment. Specialists in this field mainly need knowledge of [[Computer science|computer]], [[Computer network|networking]], [[Information technology|IT]], and [[sensors]]. These courses are offered at such as [[Civil Aviation Technology College]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=مهندسی الکترونیک‌ و مخابرات هواپیمایی|url=https://catc.ac.ir/trainingdepartments-688/aviation-electeric-a-electronic-dept.html|access-date=2021-01-31|website=catc.ac.ir|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121071530/https://catc.ac.ir/trainingdepartments-688/aviation-electeric-a-electronic-dept.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Raahnamaye-jaame-94-6-Mordad[catc.info]|url=https://s3.picofile.com/file/8221713034/Raahnamaye_jaame_94_6_Mordad_catc_info_.pdf.html|access-date=2021-01-31|website=s3.picofile.com}}</ref>

'''Control engineering''' has a wide range of electronic applications from the flight and propulsion systems of [[Airliner|commercial airplanes]] to the [[cruise control]] present in many modern [[automobile|cars]]. It also plays an important role in [[industrial automation]]. Control engineers often use [[feedback]] when designing [[control system]]s.

'''[[Instrumentation engineering]]''' deals with the design of devices to measure physical quantities such as [[pressure]], [[Mass flow rate|flow]], and [[temperature]].The design of such instrumentation requires a good understanding of electronics engineering and [[physics]]; for example, [[radar gun]]s use the [[Doppler effect]] to measure the speed of oncoming vehicles. Similarly, [[thermocouple]]s use the [[Peltier–Seebeck effect]] to measure the temperature difference between two points.

Often instrumentation is not used by itself, but instead as the [[sensor]]s of larger electrical systems. For example, a thermocouple might be used to help ensure a furnace's temperature remains constant. For this reason, instrumentation engineering is often viewed as the counterpart of control engineering.<ref>Bartelt, Terry. Industrial Automated Systems: Instrumentation and Motion Control. Cengage Learning, 2010.</ref>

'''Computer engineering''' deals with the design of [[computer]]s and computer systems. This may involve the design of new [[computer hardware]], the design of [[personal digital assistant|PDAs]] or the use of computers to control an [[manufacturing|industrial plant]]. Development of [[embedded systems]]—systems made for specific tasks (e.g., mobile phones)—is also included in this field.  This field includes the [[microcontroller]] and its applications.
Computer engineers may also work on a system's [[software]]. However, the design of complex software systems is often the domain of [[software engineering]] which falls under [[computer science]], which is usually considered a separate discipline.

'''VLSI design engineering''' [[VLSI]] stands for ''very large-scale integration''. It deals with fabrication of ICs and various electronic components. In designing an integrated circuit, electronics engineers first construct circuit [[schematic]]s that specify the electrical components and describe the interconnections between them. When completed, [[very-large-scale integration|VLSI]] engineers convert the schematics into actual layouts, which map the layers of various [[conductor (material)|conductor]] and [[semiconductor]] materials needed to construct the circuit.

== Education and training ==
{{main|Education and training of electrical and electronics engineers}}
Electronics is a subfield within the wider [[electrical engineering]] academic subject. Electronics engineers typically possess an [[academic degree]] with a major in electronics engineering. The length of study for such a degree is usually three or four years and the completed degree may be designated as a [[Bachelor of Engineering]], [[Bachelor of Science]], [[Bachelor of Applied Science]], or [[Bachelor of Technology]] depending upon the university.  Many UK universities also offer [[Master of Engineering]] ([[MEng]]) degrees at the graduate level.

Some electronics engineers also choose to pursue a [[postgraduate]] degree such as a [[Master of Science]], [[Doctor of Philosophy]] in Engineering, or an [[Engineering Doctorate]]. The master's degree is being introduced in some European and American Universities as a first degree and the differentiation of an engineer with graduate and postgraduate studies is often difficult. In these cases, experience is taken into account. The master's degree may consist of either research, coursework or a mixture of the two. The Doctor of Philosophy consists of a significant research component and is often viewed as the entry point to academia.

In most countries, a bachelor's degree in engineering represents the first step towards certification and the degree program itself is certified by a professional body. Certification allows engineers to legally sign off on plans for projects affecting public safety.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tryengineering.org/ask-expert/are-there-any-professional-examinations-available-electronics-and-telecommunications |title=Are there any professional examinations available in the electronics and telecommunications engineering field? Where do I get the listings of these examinations, and how do I apply for them? Who is eligible to write such examinations? |access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> After completing a certified degree program, the engineer must satisfy a range of requirements, including work experience requirements, before being certified. Once certified the engineer is designated the title of Professional Engineer (in the United States, Canada, and South Africa), [[Chartered Engineer]] or [[Incorporated Engineer]] (in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, and Zimbabwe), Chartered Professional Engineer (in Australia and New Zealand) or [[European Engineer]] (in much of the European Union).

A degree in electronics generally includes units covering [[physics]], [[chemistry]], [[mathematics]], [[project management]] and specific topics in [[electrical engineering]]. Initially, such topics cover most, if not all, of the subfields of electronics engineering. Students then choose to specialize in one or more subfields towards the end of the degree.

Fundamental to the discipline are the sciences of physics and mathematics as these help to obtain both a qualitative and quantitative description of how such systems will work. Today, most engineering work involves the use of computers and it is commonplace to use [[computer-aided design]] and [[simulation software]] programs when designing electronic systems. Although most electronic engineers will understand basic circuit theory, the theories employed by engineers generally depend upon the work they do. For example, [[quantum mechanics]] and [[solid-state physics]] might be relevant to an engineer working on [[VLSI]] but are largely irrelevant to engineers working with [[embedded systems]].

Apart from electromagnetics and network theory, other items in the syllabus are particular to ''electronic'' engineering courses. ''Electrical'' engineering courses have other specialisms such as [[machines]], [[power generation]], and [[Electricity distribution|distribution]]. This list does not include the extensive [[engineering mathematics]] curriculum that is a prerequisite to a degree.<ref>Rakesh K. Garg/Ashish Dixit/Pavan Yadav ''Basic Electronics'', p. 1, Firewall Media, 2008 {{ISBN|978-81-318-0302-8}}</ref><ref>Sachin S. Sharma ''Power Electronics'', p. ix, Firewall Media, 2008 {{ISBN|978-81-318-0350-9}}</ref>

=== Supporting knowledge areas ===
The huge breadth of electronics engineering has led to the use of a large number of specialists supporting knowledge areas.

'''Elements of [[vector calculus]]''': [[divergence]] and [[Curl (mathematics)|curl]]; [[Gauss theorem|Gauss']] and [[Stokes' theorem]]s, [[Maxwell's equations]]: differential and integral forms. [[Wave equation]], [[Poynting vector]]. [[Plane waves]]: propagation through various media; [[Reflection (physics)|reflection]] and [[refraction]]; [[phase velocity|phase]] and [[group velocity]]; [[skin depth]]. [[Transmission lines]]: [[characteristic impedance]]; impedance transformation; [[Smith chart]]; [[impedance matching]]; pulse excitation. [[Waveguides]]: modes in rectangular waveguides; [[boundary conditions]]; [[cut-off frequency|cut-off frequencies]]; [[dispersion relation]]s. Antennas: [[Dipole antenna]]s; [[antenna array]]s; radiation pattern; reciprocity theorem, [[antenna gain]].<ref>Edward J. Rothwell/Michael J. Cloud ''Electromagnetics'', CRC Press, 2001 {{ISBN|978-0-8493-1397-4}}</ref><ref>Joseph Edminister Schaum's Outlines ''Electromagnetics'', McGraw Hill Professional, 1995 {{ISBN|978-0-07-021234-3}}</ref>

'''Network graphs:''' matrices associated with graphs; incidence, fundamental cut set, and fundamental circuit matrices. Solution methods: nodal and mesh analysis. Network theorems: superposition, Thevenin and Norton's maximum power transfer, Wye-Delta transformation.<ref>J. O. Bird ''Electrical Circuit Theory and Technology'', pp. 372–443, Newness, 2007 {{ISBN|978-0-7506-8139-1}}</ref> Steady state sinusoidal analysis using phasors. Linear constant coefficient differential equations; time domain analysis of simple RLC circuits, Solution of network equations using [[Laplace transform]]: frequency domain analysis of RLC circuits. 2-port network parameters: driving point and transfer functions. State equations for networks.<ref>Alan K. Walton ''Network Analysis and Practice'', Cambridge University Press, 1987 {{ISBN|978-0-521-31903-4}}</ref>

'''Electronic devices''': Energy bands in silicon, intrinsic and extrinsic silicon. Carrier transport in silicon: diffusion current, drift current, mobility, resistivity. Generation and recombination of carriers. [[p-n junction]] diode, [[Zener diode]], [[tunnel diode]], [[BJT]], [[JFET]], [[MOS capacitor]], [[MOSFET]], [[LED]], [[p-i-n diode|p-i-n]] and [[avalanche photo-diode|avalanche photo diode]], LASERs. Device technology: [[integrated circuit fabrication]] process, oxidation, diffusion, [[ion implantation]], photolithography, n-tub, p-tub and twin-tub CMOS process.<ref>David K. Ferry/Jonathan P. Bird ''Electronic Materials and Devices'', Academic Press, 2001 {{ISBN|978-0-12-254161-2}}</ref><ref>Jimmie J. Cathey Schaum's Outline of ''Theory and Problems of Electronic Devices and Circuits'', McGraw Hill, 2002 {{ISBN|978-0-07-136270-2}}</ref>

'''Analog circuits''': Equivalent circuits (large and small-signal) of diodes, BJT, JFETs, and MOSFETs. Simple diode circuits, clipping, clamping, rectifier. Biasing and bias stability of transistor and FET amplifiers. Amplifiers: single-and multi-stage, differential, operational, feedback and power. Analysis of amplifiers; frequency response of amplifiers. Simple [[op-amp]] circuits. Filters. Sinusoidal oscillators; criterion for oscillation; single-transistor and op-amp configurations. Function generators and wave-shaping circuits, Power supplies.<ref>Wai-Kai Chen ''Analog Circuits and Devices'', CRC Press, 2003 {{ISBN|978-0-8493-1736-1}}</ref>

'''Digital circuits''': [[Boolean algebra|Boolean functions]] ([[NOT gate|NOT]], [[AND gate|AND]], [[OR gate|OR]], [[XOR gate|XOR]],...).  Logic gates digital IC families ([[DTL]], [[Transistor–transistor logic|TTL]], [[Emitter-coupled logic|ECL]], [[metal-oxide-silicon|MOS]], [[CMOS]]). Combinational circuits: arithmetic circuits, code converters, [[multiplexers]], and [[Binary decoder|decoder]]s. [[Sequential circuit]]s: latches and flip-flops, counters, and shift-registers. Sample and hold circuits, [[Analog-to-digital converter|ADC]]s, [[Digital-to-analog converter|DAC]]s. [[Semiconductor memories]]. [[Microprocessor 8086]]: architecture, programming, memory, and I/O interfacing.<ref>Ronald C. Emery ''Digital Circuits: Logic and Design'', CRC Press, 1985 {{ISBN|978-0-8247-7397-7}}</ref><ref>Anant Agarwal/Jeffrey H. Lang ''Foundations of Analog and Digital Electronic Circuits'', Morgan Kaufmann, 2005 {{ISBN|978-1-55860-735-4}}</ref>

'''Signals and systems:''' Definitions and properties of [[Laplace transform]], continuous-time and discrete-time [[Fourier series]], continuous-time and discrete-time [[Fourier Transform]], [[z-transform]]. [[Sampling theorem]]s. [[LTI system theory|Linear Time-Invariant (LTI) Systems]]: definitions and properties; causality, stability, impulse response, convolution, poles and zeros frequency response, [[group delay and phase delay]]. Signal transmission through LTI systems. Random signals and noise: [[probability]], [[random variables]], [[probability density function]], [[autocorrelation]], [[power spectral density]], and function analogy between vectors & functions.<ref>Michael J. Roberts ''Signals and Systems'', p. 1, McGraw–Hill Professional, 2003 {{ISBN|978-0-07-249942-1}}</ref><ref>Hwei Piao Hsu Schaum's Outline of ''Theory and Problems of Signals and Systems'', p. 1, McGraw–Hill Professional, 1995 {{ISBN|978-0-07-030641-7}}</ref>

==== Electronic Control systems ====
'''Basic control system components;''' block diagrammatic description, reduction of block diagrams&nbsp;— [[Mason's rule]]. Open loop and closed loop (negative unity feedback) systems and stability analysis of these systems. Signal flow graphs and their use in determining transfer functions of systems; transient and steady-state analysis of LTI control systems and frequency response. Analysis of steady-state disturbance rejection and noise sensitivity.

'''Tools and techniques for LTI control system analysis and design:''' root loci, [[Routh–Hurwitz stability criterion]], Bode and [[Nyquist plot]]s. Control system compensators: elements of lead and lag compensation, elements of [[PID controller|proportional–integral–derivative]] (PID) control. Discretization of continuous-time systems using [[zero-order hold]] and ADCs for digital controller implementation. Limitations of digital controllers: aliasing. State variable representation and solution of state equation of LTI control systems. Linearization of Nonlinear dynamical systems with state-space realizations in both frequency and time domains. Fundamental concepts of controllability and observability for [[MIMO]] LTI systems. State space realizations: observable and controllable canonical form. Ackermann's formula for state-feedback pole placement. Design of full order and reduced order estimators.<ref>Gerald Luecke, ''Analog and Digital Circuits for Electronic Control System Applications'', Newnes, 2005. {{ISBN|978-0-7506-7810-0}}.</ref><ref>Joseph J. DiStefano, Allen R. Stubberud, and Ivan J. Williams, Schaum's Outline of ''Theory and Problems of Feedback and Control Systems'', [[McGraw-Hill Professional]], 1995. {{ISBN|978-0-07-017052-0}}.</ref>

==== Communications ====

Analog communication systems: [[amplitude modulation|amplitude]] and [[angle modulation]] and demodulation systems, [[spectrum analyzer|spectral analysis]] of these operations, [[superheterodyne]] noise conditions.

Digital communication systems: [[pulse-code modulation]] (PCM), [[differential pulse-code modulation]] (DPCM), [[delta modulation]] (DM), digital modulation – amplitude, phase- and frequency-shift keying schemes ([[Amplitude-shift keying|ASK]], [[Phase-shift keying|PSK]], [[Frequency-shift keying|FSK]]), matched-filter receivers, bandwidth consideration and probability of error calculations for these schemes, [[GSM]], [[Time-division multiple access|TDMA]].<ref>Shanmugam, ''Digital and Analog Communication Systems'', Wiley-India, 2006. {{ISBN|978-81-265-0914-0}}.</ref><ref>Hwei Pia Hsu, Schaum's Outline of ''Analog and Digital Communications'', McGraw–Hill Professional, 2003. {{ISBN|978-0-07-140228-6}}.</ref>

== Professional bodies ==

Professional bodies of note for electrical engineers USA's [[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]] (IEEE) and the UK's [[Institution of Engineering and Technology]] (IET). Members of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET) are recognized professionally in Europe, as electrical and computer engineers. The IEEE claims to produce 30 percent of the world's literature in electrical and electronics engineering, has over 430,000 members, and holds more than 450 IEEE sponsored or cosponsored conferences worldwide each year. [[SMIEEE]] is a recognised [[professional designation]] in the United States.

== Project engineering ==
For most engineers not involved at the cutting edge of system design and development, technical work accounts for only a fraction of the work they do. A lot of time is also spent on tasks such as discussing proposals with clients, preparing budgets and determining project schedules. Many senior engineers manage a team of technicians or other engineers and for this reason, project management skills are important. Most engineering projects involve some form of documentation and strong written communication skills are therefore very important.

The workplaces of electronics engineers are just as varied as the types of work they do. Electronics engineers may be found in the pristine laboratory environment of a fabrication plant, the offices of a consulting firm or in a research laboratory. During their working life, electronics engineers may find themselves supervising a wide range of individuals including scientists, electricians, programmers, and other engineers.

Obsolescence of technical skills is a serious concern for electronics engineers. Membership and participation in technical societies, regular reviews of periodicals in the field, and a habit of continued learning are therefore essential to maintaining proficiency, which is even more crucial in the field of consumer electronics products.<ref>Homer L. Davidson, ''Troubleshooting and Repairing Consumer Electronics'', p. 1, McGraw–Hill Professional, 2004. {{ISBN|978-0-07-142181-2}}.</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Electronics}}

*[[Electrical engineering technology]]
*[[Glossary of electrical and electronics engineering]]
*[[Index of electrical engineering articles]]
*[[Information engineering (field)|Information engineering]]
*[[List of electrical engineers]]
*[[Timeline of electrical and electronic engineering|Timeline of electrical and electronics engineering]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|Category:Electronics}}

{{Engineering fields}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}

[[Category:Electronic engineering| ]]
[[Category:Electrical engineering]]
[[Category:Computer engineering]]
[[Category:Engineering disciplines]]