# electronic engineering > electrical engineering discipline which utilizes nonlinear and active electrical components to design electronic circuits, devices, and their systems **Wikidata**: [Q126095](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126095) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_engineering) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/electronic-engineering ## Summary Electronic engineering is a specialized branch of electrical engineering that focuses on designing electronic circuits, devices, and systems using nonlinear and active electrical components. It enables the development of technologies that process and control electrical signals as information, forming the foundation for modern electronics, telecommunications, and computing systems. ## Key Facts - Wikidata description: "electrical engineering discipline which utilizes nonlinear and active electrical components to design electronic circuits, devices, and their systems." - Instance types and classifications: instance_of Q12015335, Q11862829; subclass_of Q43035 (electrical industry). - Common aliases: "electronics engineering," "electronics and communications engineering," "electronics." - Wikipedia title: "Electronic engineering." - Sitelink_count: 47 sitelinks across Wikipedias. - Selected structured Wikidata properties: - P18: Bundesarchiv Bild 183-Z0116-402, Zella-Mehlis, VEB Robotron, Ingenieur.jpg - P373: Electronic engineering - P646: /m/01g1rg, /m/02kxqjr - P1014: 300253978 - P1245: 993157 - P1417: technology/electrical-and-electronics-engineering - P1617: 418a8ad1-af75-4eef-98d7-bd6b44b83bbc - P1814: でんしこうがく - P3417: Electronics-Engineering - P3827: electronics-engineering - P3916: concept622 - P6366: 24326235 - P6573: Elektronik - P7666: elektronikos-inzinerija - P8061: c_10574 - P8248: D66 - P8408: ElectronicEngineering - P9475: E0049609 - P10203: 2208 - P10283: C24326235 - P10376: social-sciences/electronic-engineering, engineering/electronics-engineering - Has_parts: analog electronics, digital electronics, consumer electronics, embedded systems, power electronics, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, instrumentation, computer engineering. - Related fields: electrical engineering, computer science, physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering. ## FAQs Q: What is the difference between electronic engineering and electrical engineering? A: Electronic engineering is a specialized subset of electrical engineering that focuses on designing electronic circuits, devices, and systems using nonlinear and active electrical components, whereas electrical engineering encompasses broader areas such as power systems, energy generation, and control of electrical phenomena. Q: What are the key components of electronic engineering? A: Key components include nonlinear and active electrical components, electronic circuits, devices, and systems that process and control electrical signals as information. Q: What industries does electronic engineering serve? A: Electronic engineering serves industries such as telecommunications, computing, consumer electronics, embedded systems, power electronics, and control systems. Q: Who are some notable figures in electronic engineering? A: Notable figures include Ozak Esu, Geoffrey Dummer, Thomas Edward Penard, Karl Küpfmüller, John B. Johnson, Edwin H. Colpitts, and Colin Cherry, among others. Q: What professional organizations are associated with electronic engineering? A: Professional organizations associated with electronic engineering include the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ## Why It Matters Electronic engineering is fundamental to the development of modern technology, enabling the creation of electronic devices and systems that process and control electrical signals as information. It underpins the functioning of telecommunications, computing, consumer electronics, and embedded systems, driving innovation and efficiency across various industries. The discipline plays a crucial role in the design and implementation of circuits, devices, and systems that are essential for the operation of modern technology. ## Notable For - Specializes in designing electronic circuits, devices, and systems using nonlinear and active electrical components. - Enables the development of technologies that process and control electrical signals as information. - Forms the foundation for modern electronics, telecommunications, and computing systems. - Includes subfields such as analog electronics, digital electronics, consumer electronics, embedded systems, power electronics, telecommunications engineering, control engineering, instrumentation, and computer engineering. - Related to electrical engineering, computer science, physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering. ## Body ### Definition and Scope Electronic engineering is a specialized branch of electrical engineering that focuses on designing electronic circuits, devices, and systems using nonlinear and active electrical components. It encompasses the development of technologies that process and control electrical signals as information, forming the foundation for modern electronics, telecommunications, and computing systems. ### Subfields and Related Disciplines Electronic engineering includes several subfields and related disciplines: - Analog electronics: electronic systems with a continuously variable signal. - Digital electronics: electronic circuits representing signals by discrete bands of analog levels. - Consumer electronics: electronic equipment intended for everyday use, typically in private homes. - Embedded systems: computer systems with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system. - Power electronics: application of solid-state electronics to the control and conversion of electric power. - Telecommunications engineering: subfield of electrical engineering that deals with the recording, transmission, processing, and storage of communication. - Control engineering: engineering discipline that applies automatic control theory to design systems with desired behaviors in control environments. - Instrumentation: measuring instruments which monitor and control a process. - Computer engineering: engineering discipline specializing in the design of computer hardware and software systems. ### Academic Structure and Classification Electronic engineering is classified as a branch of engineering, an academic major, and an academic discipline. It is studied alongside electrical engineering, computer science, physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering. The discipline is maintained by various WikiProjects, including WikiProject Computing, WikiProject Engineering, WikiProject Technology, WikiProject Electrical engineering, WikiProject Computer Science, and WikiProject Electronics. ### Industry, Companies, and Professional Organizations Notable companies and organizations associated with electronic engineering include: - ASEA: Swedish industry company associated with electrical industry themes. - Siemens: German multinational conglomerate with industry ties to electrical engineering. - ABB Group: Swedish-Swiss robotics and electrical equipment company. - Parsons Corporation: American engineering firm specializing in electrical engineering. - Kiepe Electric: German manufacturer of electrical traction equipment. - Hitachi Rail STS: subsidiary involved in industries including electrical engineering. - Eaton Industries, FIAMM, MAPNA, C. Lorenz AG, VEB Robotron, English Electric, Brown, Boveri & Cie, and ABB Group. Professional organizations associated with electronic engineering include the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ### Components, Devices, and Technical Measures Key components, devices, and technical measures in electronic engineering include: - Insulator: component made of insulating materials used for fixing, maintaining, or guiding electrical conductors. - Air gap: term used in electrical engineering and magnetism. - DC-to-DC converter: device that converts direct current (DC) from one voltage level to another. - SAIDI: reliability index used by electric power utilities. - Load factor: the average power divided by the peak power over a period of time. ### Notable People Linked to the Discipline Notable figures in electronic engineering include: - Ozak Esu: Nigerian electrical engineer. - Geoffrey Dummer: British electronics engineer (1909-2002). - Thomas Edward Penard: American engineer and ornithologist (1878–1936). - Karl Küpfmüller: German communication theorist (1897–1977). - John B. Johnson: Swedish scientist (1887-1970). - Edwin H. Colpitts: Canadian engineer (1872–1949). - Colin Cherry: British scientist (1914-1979). ### Education, Mentorship, and Academic Lineages Electronic engineering is studied as an academic major alongside electrical engineering, computer science, and other related disciplines. The field overlaps with academic programs at major technical universities, with numerous academics and their roles as professors, doctoral advisors, and doctoral students. ### Historical Development and Innovations Historical inventions and milestones in electronic engineering include: - Integrated circuit (Jack Kilby, 1958). - Microprocessor (Marcian Hoff, Intel 4004). - Ethernet networking (Robert Metcalfe, 1970s). - Information theory and digital circuit design foundations (Claude Shannon, 1937 thesis and 1948 paper). - Data compression algorithms (Lempel–Ziv, Abraham Lempel and Jacob Ziv). - RISC architecture and commercial chip multiprocessors (John L. Hennessy, Kunle Olukotun’s multiprocessor work). - Early computers and research machines (ERMETH by Ambros Speiser at ETH Zurich). ### Ecosystem, Communities, and Resources Online communities and technical Q&A referenced by metadata include Engineering Stack Exchange and Electronics Stack Exchange. Standard-setting, awards, and professional recognition include IEEE awards and fellowships, Claude E. Shannon Award, Marconi Prize, IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal, National Medals, and Paris Kanellakis Award. ### Applications and Societal Impact Applications and societal impact of electronic engineering include: - Power systems with reliability indices (SAIDI) ensure continuity of service for homes, businesses, and industry. - Telecommunications and wireless engineering enable global communications, satellite, and cellular networks. - Electronics and microelectronics (integrated circuits, microprocessors) underpin personal computing, embedded systems, and the Internet of Things. - Medical imaging and electro-optics drive advances in healthcare (e.g., MRIs, imaging systems). - Automotive electrification combines electrical engineering with automotive engineering to provide propulsion, power electronics, sensors, and control. - Broadcast engineering and multimedia depend on electrical engineering innovations in signal processing and transmission. ### Terminology and Multilingual Presence The discipline is documented under numerous language labels and subject terms, reflecting a broad international terminology and practice. ### Related Fields and Overlaps Electronic engineering overlaps with computer engineering, computer science, physics, materials science, mechanical engineering (via electromechanics), and chemical engineering (via electrochemical engineering). Broadcast engineering, information theory, cryptography, control theory, robotics, and avionics all intersect with electronic engineering research and practice. ### Geographic and Institutional Mentions Many universities and national institutions appear in connected biographies, including MIT, Stanford, Technion, University of Toronto, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Carnegie Mellon, Princeton, Bell Labs, IBM Research – Zurich, and others. Major multinational firms and regional manufacturers include Siemens, ABB Group, ASEA, Parsons Corporation, Kiepe Electric, Hitachi Rail STS, Eaton Industries, MAPNA, and more. ### Closing Notes Electronic engineering is a specialized branch of electrical engineering that focuses on designing electronic circuits, devices, and systems using nonlinear and active electrical components. It enables the development of technologies that process and control electrical signals as information, forming the foundation for modern electronics, telecommunications, and computing systems. The field is maintained by various professional organizations and has a broad international presence. ## References 1. [Source](http://ksp.tu-varna.bg/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=1&Itemid=2) 2. [Source](https://www.tugab.bg/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=134&Itemid=561&lang=en) 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. BBC Things 5. Quora 6. CC 6 7. KBpedia 8. All Science Journal Classification Codes 9. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)