Introduction of Electronics

In this fast developing society, electronics has come to stay as the most important branch of engineering. Electronics devices are being used in almost all the industries for quality control and automation and they are fast replacing the present vast army of workers engaged in processing and assembling in the factories.

The rapid growth of electronics technology offers a formidable challenge to the beginner, who may be almost paralyzed by the mass of details. Great strikes taken in the industrial application of electronics during the recent years have demonstrated that this versatile tool can be of great importance in increasing production, efficiency and control.

Electronics is the branch of engineering which deals with current conduction through a vacuum of gas or semiconductor.

Electronics essentially deals with electronic devices and their utilization. An electronic device is that in which current flows through a vacuum or gas or semiconductor. Such devices have valuable properties which enable them to function and behave as the friend of man today.

Electronics has gained much importance due to its numerous applications in industry. Some important applications of electronics are as follow.

i) Rectification
The conversion of a.c. into d.c. is called rectification. Electronic devices can convert a.c. power into d.c. power with very high efficiency.

ii) Amplification
    It is the most important application of electronic devices. The process of raising the strength of the weak signal is known as amplification. Amplifier is used for this purpose. Amplifier is used in radio-set where the weak signal is amplified so that it can be heard loudly. Amplifiers are also used in television, public address system etc.

iii) Control
    Electronic devices find wide application in automatic control. For example, speed of motor, voltage across the refrigerator etc. can automatically be controlled with the help of such devices.

iv) Generation
    Electronic devices can convert d.c. power into a.c. power of any frequency. When performing this function, they are known as oscillators. The oscillators are used in wide variety of ways. For example, electronic high frequency heating is used for annealing and hardening.

v) Conversion of light into electricity and vice versa
    Electronic devices can convert light into electricity. This process is known as photo electricity. Photo electric devices are used in Burglar alarms, sound recording on motion pictures etc.
    Such devices can also convert electricity into light. This valuable property is utilized in television and radar.

References
Mehta V. K., Principles of Electronics, First Edition, S. Chand & Company LTD., [2002]
Sedra and Smith, Microelectronic Circuits, Fourth Edition, Oxford University Press Inc, UK, [1998]