Digital Electronics Demystified

The field of teaching digital electronics has not changed significantly in the past 20 years. Many of the same books that first became available in the late 1970s and early 1980s are still being used as basic texts. In the 20+ years since these were written, the basic rules have not changed, but they do not provide strong links to modern electronics including CMOS logic, Programmable Logic Devices and microprocessor/microcontroller interfacing. Courses teaching introductory digital electronics will fill in the missing areas of information for students, but neither the instructors nor students have resources to explain modern technology and interfaces. One assumption made by all the standard texts is that experimenting with digital electronics cannot be done easily - in the proposed book, "digital guru" Myke Predko will show how readers can set up their own apparatus for experimenting with digital electronics for less than $10.

Customer Review: Excellent Introduction Book

This is an excellent book for the hobbyist looking to get started with electronics or anyone who needs some clarification on some aspects of digital electronics. The book describes things clearly and in a simple manner so that the basics are easy to grasp, and then brings in the gory details required to fully understand it. This has usually been the failing point of the other books on the subject I have tried to read; they do not make the very basic concepts easy to understand. I will admit, most of the material in the first few chapters (Boolean logic, electronic components, etc.) was a review for me. Someone looking at this material for the first time may require a few read-throughs of this material. Don't get discouraged and have patience! Everything begins to come together in the later chapters, so don't worry if you don't completely understand everything the first time it is introduced.

Customer Review: An intriguing book...

I bought this book the other day, as I have often wondered exactly how boolean logic got instantiated in electronic devices, but couldn't seem to get past the first few pages of most intro texts. The author's style of writing is very engaging, and easy to follow. I was able to get through the first couple chapters sitting in the book store! I am looking forward to finishing the book, as it promises to provide me with a good grounding in this area. The biggest difference I saw in this book was the careful stepping from boolean logic at a simple level to more complex logic while simultaneously showing how it can work in circuit-form. Most books give the basics, then jump right into the circuit design as if you already get how to make the leap, (and I couldn't seem to get there on my own!!!)
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Advanced Marine Electrics and Electronics Troubleshooting

SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART GUIDE TO THE LATEST, MOST ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES

“Ed Sherman is one of America’s great teachers and communicators of marine technology.”--Tim Murphy, Executive Editor, Cruising World

Whether you are a marine electronics professional or a boatowner, Advanced Marine Electrics and Electronics Troubleshooting helps you understand the new, more powerful methods of troubleshooting marine electrical and electronic systems. A modern boat’s sophisticated installations and networked electronics can stretch the traditional diagnostic methods based on trouble lights and multimeters past their useful limits. This book will show you how to:

• Use microprocessor-based diagnostic tools and techniques from the automotive and communications sectors, adapted for boats for the first time
• Diagnose the most difficult AC and DC problems
• Protect communications and navigation electronics from interference and lightning
• Seek out and eliminate stray-current sources and galvanic corrosion

Customer Review: New approaches to Marine Electronics for the boatyard

I just got ABYC instructor Ed Sherman's new book on Advanced Marine Electronics "Advanced Marine Electrics and Electronics Troubleshooting", it's a Marine Electricians guide to new techniques (Like TDR), new tools and methods for the Marine Electrician. It's an adjunct to the powerboaters guide.



BTW: TDR Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) is based in conductor reflection timing (on a return pulse) which used in testing wiring and optical fiber.



Minor Wants: More. I'd have liked a deeper Oscilloscope section and more engine electronics (J1939) stuff and NMEA2000. Pictures are profuse and clear. I started reading the ASE Advanced Performance series in conjunction with this book and would have liked more of the engine electronics integration knowledge brought here. (Picoscope type stuff). Would also like selection criteria for quality electronics (e.g. explain NITS or candela and contrast levels for visibility, a better explanation on pulse width modulation and motor control where the terms are used in the text. Explaining the NMEA 2000 technical architecture deeper would be nice. The author states that it is an additional book for the ABYC electrician and electronics installer, but some basics on electronics would help. 200 pages is too short, but it's a great book.



BTW: Pulse Width modulation (PWM) is a means of controlling a (DC) motor's speed by providing longer or shorter pulses (from a onboard systems microprocessor). More "On" time means faster speed. (Think flicking a fan switch on and off.)



This book is a must get, yet I am only left wanting more. A 2nd edition would be have to get. I loved the ground loop explanation and the need for isolation on network systems on boats.



One of the best parts is the stuff the electronics tech can build.



BTW: When electronics have more than one point of grounding, EMI (electronic noise is propagated through the system. Problems can occur with networks like cheap ethernet (which is why opto isolation is recommended) on boats where ground loop noise is severe. A ground loop is a bad thing, in your network and in your home stereo (causes a hum).



Like any book under a million pages on the subject, there is a lot more you want. His advice focuses on hand held Microprocessor test tools. This is excellent guidance for average marine electronics tech, although I am not likely to give up my old Tek 11801C TDR or my SD-24 sampling head for the stuff I do.



The old technique, new technique section locked in the 5 star rating for me.



Recommended Read and own
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Laser Electronics (3rd Edition) (Solid State Physical Electronics Series)

Best seller for introductory courses in Laser Electronics and Quantum Electronics. This is a practical approach to introductory laser electronics that emphasizes real-world applications and problem-solving skills over theory, providing a clear understanding of both optical and microwave frequencies.

Customer Review: Could have been great - but this book sucks

This book has incredible potential. This could have been a great book. But unfortunately this book really sucks. The author only gives partial explanations while he is deriving formulas. There is not enough information given to follow and learn the subject matter while following his derivations. This book should only be used by people who know how to derive all the equations. So if you don't know the material before purchasing this book then don't waste your money.

Customer Review: An excellent reference book for lasers.

This book is definately not for the novice. This book covers a large amount of material in its 777 pages. I got this book as an undergraduate for an advanced optics survey course. It was a little sparse on the explanations for an undergraduate. In graduate school however, this text has come in handy a number of times to fill in the gaps from other books or in heavy-duty problem solving. His coverage of gain saturation, broadening and line-widths I thought were especially usefull, as well as his coverage of the ABCD matrices. All in all, a must-have for your optics bookshelf.
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Electronics

For core Electronic Circuits courses. The text provides a wealth of readily accessible information on basic electronics for electrical and computer engineering students. Its friendly approach, clear writing style, and realistic design examples, which earned Hambley the 1998 ASEE Meriam/Wiley Distinguished Author Award, continue in the Second Edition.

Customer Review: Excellent Introduction

This book covers many of the topics in Sedra and Smith, but does so in a very understandable manner. Examples are well chosen and clearly explained. Far clearer than Sedra and Smith.



My choice for an introductory book covering transistor circuits.

Customer Review: excellent - but 1st ed is better

Great book - the best compared to many others in the market. Most university entry level electronics texts are useless to students - too damn hard to read. Most authors were probably too busy trying to impress - resulting in something which is, yes, complete and blah and blah, but totally useless to students. No, not this book - it took pain to ease a reader into the material. But, unfortunately, the 2nd ed has lost much of that refreshing "innocence" of the 1st ed and conformed to be more like others in the market - too bad.
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Probabilistic Methods of Signal and System Analysis (Holt, Rinehart and Winston series in electrical engineering, electronics, and systems)

Probabilistic Methods of Signal and System Analysis, Third Edition, provides an introduction to the applications of probability theory to the solution of problems arising in the analysis of signals and systems. Since its original publication in 1971, this text has been a standard for signals and systems courses that emphasize probability.

The new edition incorporates a much greater use of the computer in examples and problems. It increases the number and variety of examples, such as estimating the parameters of random processes and processing them through linear systems. In this edition, the use of the computer is introduced both in text examples and in selected problems. The computer examples are carried out using MATLAB. A number of new sections have been added relating to Benoulli trials, correclation of data sets, smoothing of data, computer computation of correlation functions and spectral densities and system simulation. Virtually all of the examples have been modified or changed, many of the problems have been modified and a number of new problems have been added. A separate Appendix is included that discusses and illustrates the application of computers to signal and system analysis.

It is written as a textbook appropriate for engineering students at the junior or senior level. However, it may also serve graduate students and engineers as a review of topics previously encountered, albeit from scattered sources.

Customer Review: Not Enough Examples

This book does not provide enough examples to thoroughly cover each chapter. The end of chapter exercises are much harder than the examples given in the chapter. This book leaves you wanting more for your money. I advise any one to not buy or use this book. I had to use other books to try and figure out how to solve the problems for homework. I am going to put this book on my bookshelf and let it gather dust, its almost totally useless.

Customer Review: Very litte content

My school uses this book to teach random signals, and I feel that the content is quite lacking. The theory presented is too basic, and the authors don't provide any further explantions. The examples presented are too simple and too few. Additionally, they don't show how harder problems can be solved. The end-of-chapter problems aren't very easy to solve if you're only consulting this book. There are exercises presented for you to try during the chapter in addition to the end-of-chapter problems, but the book doesn't show how to do these problems and only gives you the final answers instead. On top of this, sometimes, the answers for the exercises are switched, leaving you wondering for a few minutes what you might have done wrong.

As a comparision to other books, the chapter about several random variables in this book was approximately 35 pages long, while the book by Papoulis (another book I've consulted) covers this material in 70 pages. I've taken a look at some other books, and one book that comes close to my tastes is Schaum's Outline of Probability, Random Variables, and Random Processes since it provides a whole lot of examples I can work through.
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Electronics (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides)

It’s never been easier to teach yourself basic electronics. Electronics 2nd Edition A Self-Teaching Guide The first edition of Electronics sold over 50,000 copies—and made learning principles and practices easier for thousands of vocational students, job trainees and home hobbyists. This updated edition has been fully revised to keep pace with rapidly changing technology. Electronics teaches you the basics of electricity and electronic components—transistors, capacitors, diodes, resistors, and circuits—in a self-paced, self-instructional format. And you don’t need any previous electronics experience to use and understand this learn-by-doing guide. Working at your own pace, you’ll master the simplest concepts and move on to more advanced analog circuits. You’ll learn the basics of converting AC to DC…how to effectively use a transformer…how to design a simple working amplifier circuit…and how the transistor operates as a switch. Plus, you’ll get an easy-to-follow introduction to voltage dividers, Ohm’s law, current flow, semi-conductor diodes, pp and rms voltage levels, tuned circuits, simple BJT and JFET switching circuit design and many other important subjects. Each chapter starts you off with an overview of learning objectives and introduces new concepts gradually, with lots of examples, reviews, and self-quizzes. End-of-chapter exercises let you put what you’ve learned to work right away. And there are dozens of experiments with step-by-step instructions, so learning is easy and fun. Electronics, 2nd Edition, together with its companion volume Digital Electronics, provides a complete review and reference guide for students, technicians, and do-it-yourselfers. More than 150 Wiley Self-Teaching Guides teach practical skills from accounting to astronomy, management to microcomputers. Look for them all at your local bookstore.

Customer Review: Great book but the newer edition is even better!

This is a must have book for anybody into electronics but the publishers should have provided a link from this edition to the new one by Harry Kybett and Earl Boysen All New Electronics Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self Teaching Guides). The new edition, which came out in 2008, uses the same great approach to teaching you about electronic circuits and all the math that goes with them, but it's been updated. The writing is improved with clearer explanations, and the layout is much more user friendly. Buy this book, but be sure to get the newest edition! (I gave this one 4 stars only because the new one is a 5 star).

Customer Review: very good on transistors

As others have noted, this really is an excellent book. It starts off slow with a review of DC and then covers the basics of AC and transistors. If you follow along and do the exercises you learn alot.



I really loved his nice development of transistors. He does it over 3 chapters.



The math consists of basic algebra so it's suited to high school level or amateur builder. Not really a college text.



The only book I've seen that matches this one for clarity is "Basic Electricity" by Van Valkenburgh, Nooger & Neville, Inc. ISBN: 0790610418. It's a reprint of the series first published by Rider. Also get the excellent 24 part series Navy Electricity & Electronics Training Series (NEETS).



table of contents of the Kybett book:



DC Pre-Test and Review

The Diode

Introduction to Transistor

The Transistor Switch

AC Pre-Test and Review

AC in Electronics

Resonant Circuits

Transistor Amplifiers

Oscillators

The Transformer

AC Diode Circuits and Power Supplies

Conclusion

Final Self-Test

Appendices

Index




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Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices and Applications (7th Edition) (Floyd Electronics Fundamentals Series)

This renowned book offers a comprehensive yet practical exploration of basic electrical and electronic concepts, hands-on applications, and troubleshooting. Written in a clear and accessible narrative, the 7th Edition focuses on fundamental principles and their applications to solving real circuit analysis problems, and devotes six chapters to examining electronic devices. With an eye-catching visual program and practical exercises, this book provides readers with the problem-solving experience they need in a style that makes complex material thoroughly understandable. For professionals with a career in electronics, engineering, technical sales, field service, industrial manufacturing, service shop repair, and/or technical writing.

Customer Review: You can learn the basic principles of electronics in class or on your own with this terrific text

What a terrific introduction to electronics! The author explains electricity, the relevant formulae, the basic physics of electricity, electromagnetism and a lot more. The text requires no more than algebra and right angle trigonometry. I find the text clear, engaging, and quite understandable even without an instructor to help me.



Each chapter begins with an outline of what is going to be discussed, chapter objectives, key terms, application assignment, web materials, and an introduction. The text uses color very well, is richly illustrated, and is mindful of the student learning process. I like the way the author introduces a point, poses a problem that he then solves, and then asks you a similar problem to work on your own (with the answer provided at the end of the chapter). At the end of each chapter there is a bullet point summary, key terms with definitions, a self-test to check your understanding, and a section by section set of basic problems.



The text has 21 chapters divided into three parts. Part 1 discusses DC circuits (quantities & units, voltage - current & resistance, Ohm's Law - Energy & Power, Series Circuits, Parallel Circuits, Series Parallel Circuits, Magnetism & Electromagnetism). Part 2 discusses AC Circuits (Introduction to Alternating Current & Voltage, Capacitors, RC Circuits, Inductors, RL Circuits, RCLS Circuits & Resonance, Transformers, Time Response & Reactive Circuits). Part 3 discusses Devices (Diodes & Applications, Transistors & Applications, the Operational Amplifier, Basic Op-Amp Circuits, Special Purpose Op-Amp Circuits, Measurement - Conversion & Control).



There are also 5 appendices having a table of standard values, capacitor color coding & marking, Norton's Theorem & Millman's Theorem, Devices Data Sheets, Field-Programmable Analog Arrays (FPAAs). A glossary, index and answers to odd number questions are provided as well.



This text is, of course, usable in college or high school introductory courses to electronics, but it is also usable by interested general readers who want to build or fill in their understanding of the basic principles and applications of electronics.



Recommended!



Reviewed by Craig Matteson - Ann Arbor, MI


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Tab Electronics Guide to Understanding Electricity and Electronics

All-inclusive introduction to electricity and electronics. For the true beginner, there's no better introduction to electricity and electronics than TAB Electronics Guide to Understanding Electricity and Electronics , Second Edition.

Randy Slone's learn-as-you-go guide tells you how to put together a low-cost workbench and start a parts and materials inventory--including money-saving how-to's for salvaging components and buying from surplus dealers. You get plain-English explanations of electronic components-resistors, potentiometers, rheostats, and resistive characteristics-voltage, current, resistance, ac and dc, conductance, power...the laws of electricity...soldering and desoldering procedures...transistors...special-purpose diodes and optoelectronic devices...linear electronic circuits...batteries...integrated circuits...digital electronics...computers...radio and television...and much, much more. You'll also find 25 complete projects that enhance your electricity/electronics mastery, including 15 new to this edition, and appendices packed with commonly used equations, symbols, and supply sources.

Customer Review: Great Book: For anybody

This was the first book I ever read about electronics and It explained everything very clearly. It doesn't repeat anything so you really have to take it slow and only read when you can concentrate. It does fly by basic concepts really fast but It worked for me. I read 4-5 pages every couple nights, and took notes on it. The author goes into detail, but he never repeats anything so you can't just skim at all. I would buy it if I were you, or theres the library.

Customer Review: a good reference book

The book is quite a good reference material for those who have some background in electronics. It sumerizes many concepts and presents them in a concise and organized manner. A good refernce book for electronic fans.
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Fundamentals of Power Electronics (Second Edition)

Fundamentals of Power Electronics, Second Edition, is an up-to-date and authoritative text and reference book on power electronics. This new edition retains the original objective and philosophy of focusing on the fundamental principles, models, and technical requirements needed for designing practical power electronic systems while adding a wealth of new material.

Improved features of this new edition include:

A new chapter on input filters, showing how to design single and multiple section filters;
Major revisions of material on averaged switch modeling, low-harmonic rectifiers, and the chapter on AC modeling of the discontinuous conduction mode;
New material on soft switching, active-clamp snubbers, zero-voltage transition full-bridge converter, and auxiliary resonant commutated pole. Also, new sections on design of multiple-winding magnetic and resonant inverter design;
Additional appendices on Computer Simulation of Converters using averaged switch modeling, and Middlebrook's Extra Element Theorem, including four tutorial examples; and
Expanded treatment of current programmed control with complete results for basic converters, and much more.

This edition includes many new examples, illustrations, and exercises to guide students and professionals through the intricacies of power electronics design. Fundamentals of Power Electronics, Second Edition, is intended for use in introductory power electronics courses and related fields for both senior undergraduates and first-year graduate students interested in converter circuits and electronics, control systems, and magnetic and power systems. It will also be an invaluable reference for professionals working in power electronics, power conversion, and analog and digital electronics.

Customer Review: BEST BOOK ON POWER ELECTRONICS

This is the best book on Power Electronics . The other good book is by Ned Mohan on Power Electronics . These are the 2 best books in the market for Power Electronics . I bought a lot of books on Power Electronics such as the one by Philip Krein , one by Kassakien , one by Rashid , one by Bose and this is my advice --- ONLY BUY THE ABOVE 2 BOOKS and SAVE YOUR MONEY . The concepts in this great book on Power Electronics are explained better than the one by Ned Mohan but I think the Ned Mohan book covers more concepts . If you are a student taking Power Electronics course and need a solid textbook , this is a bargain . Highly recommended -- 5 stars .

Customer Review: One of the Best texts on Switched-mode Power supply design

Erickson/Maksimovic has a really good switching power supply program going on at the University of Colorado, Boulder (COPEC). This text augments that program. The text covers all the necessities to become well versed in switching power supply design: DC transfer, small signal AC analysis, efficiency analysis, classical control theory, etc. Every imaginable combination of power supply topology is examined...some very useful, some not so, both continuous and discontinuous conduction modes are analyzed, and powerful analysis concepts such as Middlebrooks extra element theorem, and classical control theory are also offered.



This text is not cook book. So the weekend hobbyist will not have much use for this book. It is however, is powerfully practical, and insightful and provides the tools necessary if you intend on contributing in this field.




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