Chapter Overview

Electronics is a relatively recent technology that has undergone explosive growth. It is now so widespread that it touches all of our lives in many ways. This chapter will help you to understand how electronics developed over the years and how it is currently divided into specialty areas. It will help you to understand some basic functions that take place in electronic circuits and systems, and will also help you to build upon what you have already learned.

This chapter will help you to:

1. Identify some major events in the history of electronics.

2. Classify circuit operation as digital or analog.

3. Name major analog circuit functions.

4. Begin developing a system viewpoint for troubleshooting.

5. Analyze circuits with both dc and ac sources.

6. List the current trends in electronics.

Study Outline

1-1 A Brief History

1-2 Digital or Analog

1-3 Analog Functions

1-4 Circuits with Both DC and AC

1-5 Trends in Electronics