Practical Electronics: A Complete Introduction

Book excerpt: Now completely revised, Practical Electronics: A Complete Introduction covers the key areas of electronics you need to be confident in, whether you are a keen amateur hobbyist, an engineering student or a professional who wants to keep up to date. It outlines the basics in clear jargon-free English and provides added-value features like key ideas, memorable quotations and even lists of questions you might be asked in a seminar or exam. The book has been updated to remove complex and abstract technical thought and replace it with practical information that will be essential for students and general readers alike. It builds on basic principles such as simple circuits and switches, going on to explain how basic components can be used to form versatile digital systems, which can be combined and programmed to create new functional systems. It also covers microprocessor technology and microcontroller chips, showing how to program microcontrollers for learners wishing to explore this new technology. Practical Electronics employs the 'Breakthrough Method' to help you advance quickly at any subject, whether you're studing for an exam or just for your own interst. The Breakthrough Method is designed to overcome typical problems you'll face as learn new concepts and skills. - Problem: "I find it difficult to remember what I've read."; Solution: this book includes end-of-chapter summaries and questions to test your understanding. - Problem: "Lots of introductory books turn out to cover totally different topics than my course."; Solution: this book is written by a university lecturer who understands what students are expected to know.