Electronic Circuits - Practical Learning

If you want to know that a circuit is doing what it is supposed to do, then you need to see the voltage waveforms at each circuit node. That is why an oscilloscope is an indispensable tool that enables practical learning. Practical learning requires knowing how to use measuring instruments such as an oscilloscope, what measurements to make, how to make the measurements, and how to use the tools of the trade. This text provides that knowledge, and more, as listed in the table of contents. Acquiring this knowledge involves a significant effort and a reasonable expenditure of cash if you are proceeding on a do-it-yourself basis. Implementing practical learning requires you to spend cash on tools, a breadboard, electrical components, and test equipment. A problem with lots of so called practical learning is that it does not prepare you to move on to what we consider to be the real stuff – i.e. the theoretical basis of electronics which allows you to tackle almost any electronic design project, which we hope is your desire. If you simply want to do electronics as an interesting hobby, then this book provides a solid, non trivial, basis for that. Non trivial – that’s the key phrase the essential property of this book. Assuming you move on to the real stuff the practical learning here is essentially what you would learn on your first design project job. Knowledge that is a practical extension of knowledge learned while acquiring a BS degree in electrical or computer engineering. There is no question in our mind that if you plowed your way through this book while pursuing a BSEE (or equivalent) you would not only do better in the BSEE program you would be ahead of the game while in school and at whatever job you took. In fact you would be in a better position to select a job. Theory teaches you through the experience of others. Theoretical knowledge can often lead to a deeper understand of a concept through seeing it in context of a greater whole and understanding the why behind it. Practical knowledge helps you acquire the specific techniques that become the tools of your trade. Spice programs are sprinkled throughout the text. Their purpose is to show the correct data you can compare to the data your measurements produce.