Practical Electronics for Inventors

Overview

THE BOOK THAT MAKES ELECTRONICS MAKE SENSE

This intuitive, applications-driven guide to electronics for hobbyists, engineers, and students doesn't overload readers with technical detail. Instead, it tells you-and shows you-what basic and advanced electronics parts and components do, and how they work. Chock-full of illustrations, Practical Electronics for Inventors offers over 750 hand-drawn images that provide clear, detailed instructions that can help turn theoretical ideas into real-life inventions and gadgets.

CRYSTAL CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE

Covering the entire field of electronics, from basics through analog and digital, AC and DC, integrated circuits (ICs), semiconductors, stepper motors and servos, LCD displays, and various input/output devices, this guide even includes a full chapter on the latest microcontrollers. A favorite memory-jogger for working electronics engineers, Practical Electronics for Inventors is also the ideal manual for those just getting started in circuit design. If you want to succeed in turning your ideas into workable electronic gadgets and inventions, is THE book. Starting with a light review of electronics history, physics, and math, the book provides an easy-to-understand overview of all major electronic elements, including: Basic passive components o Resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers o Discrete passive circuits o Current-limiting networks, voltage dividers, filter circuits, attenuators o Discrete active devices o Diodes, transistors, thrysistors o Microcontrollers o Rectifiers, amplifiers, modulators, mixers, voltage regulators

ENTHUSIASTIC READERS HELPED US MAKE THIS BOOK EVEN BETTER

This revised, improved, and completely updated second edition reflects suggestions offered by the loyal hobbyists and inventors who made the first edition a bestseller. Reader-suggested improvements in this guide include:

• Thoroughly expanded and improved theory chapter
• New sections covering test equipment, optoelectronics, microcontroller circuits, and more
• New and revised drawings
• Answered problems throughout the book

Practical Electronics for Inventors takes you through reading schematics, building and testing prototypes, purchasing electronic components, and safe work practices. You'll find all thisin a guide that's destined to get your creative-and inventive-juices flowing.

Table of contents

Chapter 1: Introduction to Electronics
Chapter 2: Theory
Chapter 3: Basic Electronic Circuit Components
Chapter 4: Semiconductors
Chapter 5: Optoelectronics
Chapter 6: Integrated Circuits
Chapter 7: Operational Amplifiers
Chapter 8: Filters
Chapter 9: Oscillators and Timers
Chapter 10: Voltage Regulators and Power Supplies
Chapter 11: Audio Electronics
Chapter 12: Digital Electronics
Chapter 13: DC Motors, RC Servos, and Stepper Motors
Chapter 14: Hands-on Electronics
Appendix A: Power Distribution and Home Wiring
Appendix B: Error Analysis
Appendix C: Useful Facts and Formulas
Appendix D: Component Data, List of Logic ICs, Foreign Semiconductor Codes
Appendix E: Microcontroller Circuits
Index

Biographical note

Paul Scherz is a physicist/mechanical engineer who received his B.S. in physics from the University of Wisconsin. His area of interest in physics focuses on elementary particle interactions. Paul is an inventor/hobbyist in electronics, an area he grew to appreciate through his experience at the University's Department of Nuclear Engineering Physics and the Department of Plasma Physics.

Back cover copy

THE BOOK THAT MAKES ELECTRONICS MAKE SENSE

This intuitive, applications-driven guide to electronics doesn't overload you with technical detail. Instead, it tells you -- and shows you -- what basic and advanced electronics parts and components do, and how they work. Practical Electronics for Inventors offers over 750 hand-drawn images that provide clear, detailed instructions that can help turn theoretical ideas into realities.

CRYSTAL CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE
Covering the entire field of electronics, from basics through analog and digital, AC and DC, integrated circuits (ICs), semiconductors, stepper motors and servos, ICD displays, and various input/output devices, this guide even includes a full chapter on the latest microcontrollers. If you want to succeed in turning your ideas into workable electronic gadgets and inventions, this is THE book.

ENTHUSIASTIC READERS HELPED US MAKE THIS BOOK EVEN BETTER
This revised, improved, and completely updated second edition reflects suggestions offered by the loyal hobbyists, students, and inventors who made the first edition a bestseller.

Reader-suggested improvements in this guide include:
Thoroughly expanded and improved theory chapter
New sections covering test equipment, optoelectronics, microcontroller circuits, and more
Answered problems throughout the book

Practical Electronics for Inventors takes you through reading schematics, building and testing prototypes, purchasing electronic components, and safe work practices. You'll find all this in a guide that's destined to get your creative -- and inventive -- juices flowing.

New projects, sample problems, and much more!

Starting with a light review of electronics history, physics, and math, the book provides an easy-to-understand overview of all major electronic elements, including:
Basic passive components
Resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers
Discrete passive circuits
Current-limiting networks, voltage dividers, filter circuits, attenuators
Discrete active devices
Diodes, transistors, thrysistors
Microcontrollers
Rectifiers, amplifiers, modulators, mixers, voltage regulators