CHAPTER 1Electronic Systems‚OBJECTIVESAfter studying this chapter, you should be able to:●List several electronic systems.●Recognize and describe several methods to formally communicate thebehavior of an electronic system.●Explain the various levels of integration that can be used to constructelectronic systems.●Name and describe several methods for interconnecting systems and partsof systems.●List and describe several techniques for system-level troubleshooting.●Describe circuit simulation and explain its importance in the electronicsindustry.‚INTRODUCTIONElectronic system is a label used to describe a device or group of deviceswhose basic operation is based on or controlled by a number of intercon-nected electronic components. Complexity of electronic systems can rangefrom 2 or 3 components to many millions of components. However, regard-less of complexity, all electronic systems are composed of only a few basictypes of components that have well-defined behavior. Once you understandthe behavior of each type of electronic component, you can apply yourknowledge to the analysis or troubleshooting of all electronic systems.Let’s begin by discussing some typical electronic systems. As we proceed,continually remind yourself that every one of these systems—no matter howcomplex—is made up of only a few types of basic electronic components.1.1 REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEMSElectronic and electromechanical systems are used in every imaginable industry.Let’s examine some representative systems.TelevisionA television set is a familiar electronic system. The electronic components insidethe set are designed to convert electrical signals from a cable company or from areceiving antenna into the picture and sound that you recognize as a televisionshow.‚KEY TERMSblock diagramcircuit simulationcladdingdiscrete componentselectromagnetic interference(EMI)electronic systemfiber-optic linkflowchartgraphintegrated circuitinterpolationlinear scalesnanotechnologypadsprinted circuit boardschematic captureschematic diagramsignal injectionsignal tracingtraceswireless linkwiring diagram1ComputersYour personal computer is one specific example of a wide range of computer types.Computers are electronic systems that accept inputs, perform computations andother actions, and then produce outputs or change their operation based on the in-puts. Typical inputs include keyboards, mouse-pointing devices, joysticks, thehuman voice, switches, sensors on industrial machines, telephone lines, radio sig-nals, and data from the Internet. There can be many kinds of outputs such as print-ers, video displays, indicator lamps and signals to control machinery. Internaloperations include computations, magnitude comparisons, and logical decisions.Industrial RoboticsThere are many types of industrial robots, but each is an electronic system that iscontrolling a mechanical device. Figure 1–1 shows a representative industrialrobot. The electronics portion of the overall electromechanical system issues com-mands to control motors and valves that serve as muscles for the robot. Somerobots, such as those used for surgical procedures, are capable of extreme preci-sion and delicate movements. Others are powerful enough to manipulate many tonsof steel during a manufacturing process. But, for robots on either extreme, it iselectronic systems that control the movements of the robots to accomplish therequired tasks.Aircraft Electronics (Avionics)A typical aircraft is brimming with electronic systems. Some are independent,stand-alone systems, while others communicate with each other to form larger sys-tems. Examples of aircraft electronics systems include navigational, flight control,2CHAPTER 1●ELECTRONIC SYSTEMSFIGURE 1–1 An industrial robotis an electromechanical system.(Courtesy of Stäubli)stabilization, and communications systems; weapons control for military aircraft;electronic countermeasure systems to thwart enemy attack; environmental controlsystems; entertainment systems; and many more. It is important to remember, how-ever, that all of these seemingly unrelated systems are built from the same basicblocks. The operation of many of these blocks/devices is presented in this book.The InternetThe Internet might correctly be labeled as a system composed of other systems(sometimes called subsystems). As you know, computers all over the world cancommunicate with each other via the Internet. Each computer is a relatively com-plex system. When a particular computer system connects to the Internet via an In-ternet service provider, the local computer becomes an integral part of a worldwidesystem. The size and complexity of the overall Internet system is not only hardto imagine, but it is constantly changing as computers log on and off of the Net. Inspite of this mind-boggling complexity, it is important for you to realize thatany given part of the system consists of a combination of a few basic electroniccomponents. You must understand the operation of these individual components tosuccessfully analyze the performance of larger systems.1.2 SYSTEM NOTATIONSTechnical people such as technicians, engineers, and technologists must communi-cate detailed information about electronic systems. For example, a designer has tocommunicate system operation to the person who will be installing the system.Similarly, a team of designers and technologists needs to communicate the techni-cal details of a new computer system as it is being developed, in order to makeappropriate decisions. Communications of these sorts are greatly enhanced byusing standard methods for representing systems. Depending on the type of sys-tem, the nature of the discussion or presentation, and the preference of the individ-uals, technical people use one or more methods to communicate the behavior ofelectronic systems: block diagrams, flowcharts, graphical data, wiring diagrams,and schematics. Each of these is described in the following sections.Block DiagramsA block diagram is a simplified representation of a system that indicates the re-lationships between functional sections or blocks in the system. Figure 1–2 onpage 4 shows a simplified block diagram for a computer system. As you cansee, each block on the diagram represents some well-defined function within theoverall system. Lines and arrows are used between blocks to indicate the flow ofinformation or control signals.Many of the functional blocks in Figure 1–2 are connected together via the sys-tem