Electronics is Easy?

YouTube Video Clips

Chapter 1
Electronic Basics

1.1 Basics
--- garden hose, batteries, voltage, resistance, current, flashlight ---
1.2 Voltage Current Resistance
--- battery, voltage volts, resistor ohms, current amps, equations ---
1.3 Voltage (DC vs. AC)
--- direct current, alternating current, frequencies, guitar string, cycles per second, Hz, Hertz ---
1.4 Electro-Magnetism
--- electricity, electric current, magnets, wire, power plants, motors ---

Chapter 2
Analog Passive Components

2.1 Component Physical Packages
--- PTH, pin thru hole, SMT, surface mount technology, PCB, printed circuit board, fiberglass, solder ---
2.2 Resistor Parameters
--- ohms, value, accuracy, tolerance, power rating, temperature coefficient, material composition, decade multiples ---
2.3 Parallel and Series Resistors
--- resistor equations, voltage dividers, split current, mA, milliamps ---
2.4 Capacitors (DC)
--- direct current, farads, microfarad, nanofarad, picofarad, equations, voltage charge rate / rise time, time t = 0 ---
2.5 Capacitor Parameters
--- value, material composition, dialectric, accuracy, tolerance, voltage rating, derating, voltage polarization, Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), ceramic, tantalum, metal film, paper, mylar film, aluminum, electrolytic, c0g, np0, npo, x7r, x5r, z5u, y5v, class 1, class 2, datasheets ---
2.6 Parallel and Series Capacitors
--- Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), noise reduction, bypass caps, RC filters, tantalum, ceramic ---
2.7 Capacitors (AC) RC Filter
--- alternating current, resist voltage changes, capacitive reactance, value size, frequency, amplitude, phase, low pass filter, equations, cutoff frequency, corner frequency, break frequency, Bode plots, -3 dB, -20 dB, -6 dB, phase shift ---
2.8 Cascade RC Filters
--- SPICE models, Bode plots, double cascade, op amp, trial and error, trade-offs ---
2.9 Inductors (DC)
--- direct current, resist current changes, henries, henry, millihenry, microhenry, equations, current change rate, material compositions ---
2.10 Inductors (AC) RL Filters
--- chokes, restrict current flow, separate frequencies, RL filter cutoff frequency equation, phase shift ---
2.11 Impedance
--- resistant to voltage changes and current changes, amplitude changes and phase changes ---
2.12 Crystals
--- constant precise frequency, wireless, wired communication, watches clocks, resonators, oscillators, kilohertz, megahertz ---
2.13 Fuses
--- disrupt current flow, soldering fuse constraints, resettable fuse ---
2.14 Transformers
--- electricity, step up, step down, closely coupled inductors, AC current, magnetic field, primary, secondary windings, losses, generating stations, high voltage transmission lines, substations, 120 / 240 V volts ---
2.15 Common Mode Chokes
--- highly coupled 1:1 transformer, attenuates electronic noise, EMC, allows AC when current in equals current out, allows communication ---
2.16 Hall Sensors
--- detects stationary magnets / magnetic fields, location and distance, proximity, positioning, current sensing, speed detection ---

Chapter 3
Analog Discrete Active Components

3.1 Diodes
--- anode, cathode, forward voltage drop, leakage current, forward current maximum, reverse voltage minimum, datasheets ---
3.2 LEDs
--- light emitting diodes, long life, low current, indicators, visual grids, illumination ---
3.3 Diode Rectifiers
--- half-wave rectifier, full-wave rectifier, AC to DC conversions ---
3.4 Zener Diodes
--- accurate reverse voltage drop, forward voltage drop, leakage current ---
3.5 FETs (Field Effect Transistors)
--- controls current, controlled by voltage, P channel, N channel, enhancement, depletion, MOSFET, gate, source, drain, gate source threshold voltage, power considerations ---
3.6 JFETs (Junction Field Effect Transistors)
--- controls current, controlled by voltage, similar to FET, no enhancement mode ---
3.7 BJTs (Bipolar Junction Transistors)
--- controls current, controlled by current, PNP, NPN, base, emitter, collector, base-emitter saturation voltage ---
3.8 Analog Switches
--- controlled with voltage, bidirectional, internal resistance, bandwidth ---
3.9 Digital Potentiometers
--- changes resistance values electronically, SPI communication, micro ---
3.10 Optoisolators
--- optocouplers, photocouplers, LED, phototransistor, galvanic isolation ---

Chapter 4
Analog Microcircuit Active Components

4.1 Comparators
--- compares voltages, IC, integrated circuit, powered by positive / negative voltages / ground, hysteresis, open drain / collector ---
4.2 Op Amps
--- positive gain, negative gain, unity gain, input offset voltage, input bias current, bandwidth, slew rate, trade-offs ---
4.3 Op Amp Offset
--- offset voltage, positive gain / offset, negative gain / offset, AC voltage input / offset ---
4.4 Variable Gain and Variable Offset Op Amp
--- digital potentiometers, micros, microprocessors, micro processors, microcontrollers, micro controllers, controlled gain / offset ---
4.5 Differential Op Amp
--- differential input, increased signal amplification, reduced noise amplification ---
4.6 Differential Input and Differential Output Op Amp
--- signals from one PCB to another PCB, can result in noisy ground ---
4.7 Differential Input and Differential Output Op Amp Filtering
--- differential filter, differential output RC filter, differential gain resistor RC filter ---
4.8 Rail-to-Rail Op Amps
--- approach power voltage and ground, inaccurate output results ---
4.9 Constant Current / Voltage
--- resistor bridges, pressure sensors, constant current / voltage ---
4.10 Instrumentation Amps
--- CMRR, common mode rejection, 20 log, differential input amplifier ---
4.11 Voltage Regulators
--- linear regulator, switching regulator, LDO, low dropout drop out, positive to negative voltages, dual double voltage output, power efficiency, power in, power out, low battery current, noisy power supply ---
4.12 Voltage References
--- accurate, little noise, stable over temperature, ADCs, ADC's, DACs, DAC's, analog electronics ---
4.13 Voltage Supervisors
--- monitor power supply voltages, watchdog watch dog timers, digital pulses, thresholds, reset micros, microprocessors, microcontrollers ---

Chapter 5
Digital

5.1 Digital Component Basics
--- logic gates, noise tolerant, voltage level for ones "1's" and zeros "0's", inverter gate, and gate, nand gate, or gate, nor gate, open drain, voltage level shift, source current, sink current, switch debounce ---
5.2 Binary and Hex Numbers
--- 10001000b, 0xA, 0xB, 0xC, 0xD, 0xE, 0xF ---
5.3 Byte Integer Signed Unsigned
--- MSB, LSB, 2's complement ---
5.4 Float and Double Numbers
--- precision, IEEE 754 Floating Point Standard, MSB sign bit, exponent, mantissa ---
5.5 Electronic Analog to Digital Converter (ADC)
--- convert voltage amplitudes into binary numbers for micros, microprocessors microcontrollers, resistor ladders, 2 4 8 10 12 16 18 24 32 bit, voltage references, Nyquist sampling criterion, sample clocks, accuracy, resolution, sample rate, cycle latency, power consumption, Delta Sigma, SAR, Pipeline, conversion rate, differential ---
5.6 Electronic Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)
--- convert binary numbers into voltage amplitudes, micros, microprocessors, microcontrollers, resistor ladders, 2 4 8 10 12 16 18 24 32 bit, voltage references, Delta Sigma, Resistor String (R-2R, MDAC), Current Steering, resolution, settling times, linearity ---
5.7 Electronic Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
--- Code is binary numbers that provide instructions to micros (microprocessors microcontrollers) microprocessors for computers, microcontrollers for specific tasks (phones, cars, robotics, medical devices) ---
5.8 Electronic Watchdog Timers
--- Watchdog timers reset micros (microprocessors microcontrollers), periodic pulses, excessive electronic noise ---
5.9 Electronic Memory
--- RAM, ROM, FLASH, EEPROM, FRAM, NRAM, Non-Volitile Memory (NVM), change limitation ---
5.10 Electronic Firmware and Software Code
--- Assembly, C, human readable code, binary number code, IDE (Integrated Development Environment), source editor, compiler / assembler, uploader, debugger, PC program counter, TitleCase, Hungarian notation ---
5.11 Electronic Parallel Communication
--- Transmit and receive binary numbers to RAM and from RAM ---
5.12 Electronic SPI Serial Communication
--- Transmit and receive binary numbers between a Master and Slave(s), reduced real estate ---
5.13 Electronic I2C Serial Communication
--- Transmit and receive binary numbers between a Master and Slave(s), reduced real estate ---
5.14 Electronic RS-232 RS-485 Serial Communication
--- Transmit and receive binary numbers between computers and equipment, asynchronous communication, 9600 baud, 8-N-1, 8-E-1, 8-O-1, DB9 connector, start and stop bits, even / odd parity ---
5.15 Electronic Little Endian / Big Endian
--- Transmit and receive binary numbers between computers, serial communication, LSB (Least Significant Bit), MSB (Most Significant Bit) ---

Chapter 6
EMC (Electro-Magnetic Compatibility)

6.1 Electronic EMC Design Considerations
--- Electro-Magnetic Compatability, Not emit electro-magnetic energy that could interfere with other devices, Not susceptible to external electro-magnetic energy, Cables, Metallic Shielding, Electronic Assemblies, Passive Components, Active Digital Components, Active Analog Components, Tradeoffs ---
6.2 Electronic Transient Voltage Suppressors
--- TVS, limited lightning protection, high voltage spike protection ---
6.3 Electronic Common Mode Chokes
--- Filter that allows AC, current in equals current out ---
6.4 Electronic Ferrite Cores
--- Reduce EMC from motor electrical noise ---

Chapter 7
Important Electronic Details

7.1 Electronic Datasheets
--- Necessary for solid electronic design! Document that specifies component characteristics (created by component mfg company) includes nominal value, tolerances, parameter changes due to temperature, min / max ratings (supply voltage, power consumption, I/O currents), IC pin descriptions, timing diagrams / speed / response times, overheating details that could destroy, physical location of components around sensitive ICs. ---
7.2 Electronic SPICE Models
--- SPICE model computer programs predict “end results” (programs such as Micro-Cap, TINA, LTspice, and PSPICE), vary component tolerances, change temperatures, estimate worst cases. ---
7.3 Electronic Counterfeit Components
--- Counterfeit electronic components "major” hazard. A counterfeit component may perform “similarly”, but may not be as accurate, may fail quickly, may fail over temperature changes. ---
7.4 Electronic PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards)
--- Fiberglass with copper foil, copper weight / thickness (0.5 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz), vias, pads, multi-layer, HASL, ENIG, OSP, soldermask, silkscreen ---
7.5 Electronic Ground Loops
--- Avoid multiple connections of ground to ground (only one connection), ground planes are an exception ---
7.6 Electronic PCB Fabrication
--- Ensure inner layers and external layers are clean else dendrite growth can lead to failures, precision locations for holes, pads, vias, fiducials, flexibility can crack solder joints and components ---
7.7 Electronic Solder
--- Attached electronic components to PCBs, new solder is tin only, flux is cleaning agent, remove flux to avoid unwanted resistive path which could lead to product failure ---
7.8 Electronic Tin Whiskers
--- Solder with no lead leads to tin whiskers, unwanted connections between components, and lead to product failure, only 0.49 of lead usage is for electronics, batteries (cars, etc.) are 80% ---
7.9 Electronic Conformal Coating and Potting
--- Protect electronics from toxic gases, can expand which could pop loose components from PCBs ---
7.10 Electronic Liquid Glass
--- Tin whiskers, microspheres, glass, ceramic, car paint ---

Chapter 8
Electronic Documentation

8.1 Electronic Technical Specifications
--- Performance requirements, marketing specifications, customer needs, customer may not know of new technologies ---
8.2 Electronic Schematics
--- Electronic component locations relative to each other reference designators, values, signal names ---

Chapter 9
Electronic Tests

Chapter 10
Electronic Manufacturing

Chapter 11
Electronic Synopsis

About the Author
Close Menu