The Circuit Designer's Companion, Second Edition (EDN Series for Design Engineers) [Paperback]

Tim Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0750663707 | ISBN-13: 978-0750663700 | Edition: 2

Tim Williams' Circuit Designer's Companion provides a unique masterclass in practical electronic design that draws on his considerable experience as a consultant and design engineer. As well as introducing key areas of design with insider's knowledge, Tim focuses on the art of designing circuits so that every production model will perform its specified function - and no other unwanted function - reliably over its lifetime.

The combination of design alchemy and awareness of commercial and manufacturing factors makes this an essential companion for the professional electronics designer. Topics covered include analog and digital circuits, component types, power supplies and printed circuit board design.

The second edition includes new material on microcontrollers, surface mount processes, power semiconductors and interfaces, bringing this classic work up to date for a new generation of designers.

· A unique masterclass in the design of optimized, reliable electronic circuits
· Beyond the lab - a guide to electronic design for production, where cost-effective design is imperative
· Tips and know-how provide a whole education for the novice, with something to offer the most seasoned professional

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Listed as noteworthy book by Bill Schweber from EDN Magazine. This broad-ranging book teaches considerations you wish you knew about when you finished school and had a real project to work on but doesn't assume a simplistic problem-solution approach." - EDN Feb 2005

From the Publisher

Electronic circuit design can be divided into two areas: the first consists in designing a circuit that will fulfill its specified function; the second consists in designing the same circuit so that every production model of it will fulfill its specified function reliably over its lifetime. Designers who can appreciate the techniques and tools used in the latter area are becoming increasingly rare. The aim of this guide is to help such people. The subjects covered include grounding, printed circuit design and layout, the characteristics of practical active and passive components, cables, linear ICs, logic circuits and their interfaces, power supplies, electromagnetic compatibility, safety and thermal management. Throughout, the implications of manufacturability and cost are stressed. The style is direct and lucid, providing straightforward practical advice. This is the ideal guide to real world design for both students and practitioners. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Newnes; 2 edition (January 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750663707
• ISBN-13: 978-0750663700
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A ideal book., December 27, 1999

By 

Andrew Lee (San Jose, California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Circuit Designer's Companion (EDN Series for Design Engineers) (Paperback)

For someone who only knows V=IR, he could understand 20% of the content without difficulty.

For someone who ever took more than 2 related courses in college but hardly remember them, or ever had several monthes of hand on hardware experience. This book is written for him. BUY IT! EVERY PENNY IS WORTHY.

For a very experienced hardware engineer, 80% of this book is useless for him, the rest 20% and some tables/charts could be a good reference.

The author must be a good teacher as well as a cool hardware engineer base the following facts I observed in this book:

1. A lots of comprehensive drawing, most of them are dummy-proof.

2. Very good content structure, one can start from any chapter without difficulty. It is easy to finds what he want.

3. Easy English (OK, okay, I am from Taiwan). No riddle-like description. Always has some explaination when refer to an unpopular theory. You don't need an encycopedia when you read this book.

4. Good coverage: Components, Power and grounding, EMI, PCB problem, general problems of product design, transmission lines.

Clearly, this book is written for a digital hardware designer. Some analog issues are covered, yet they are degital design-related. For RF and pure analog design, this book is not enough.

For digital designer, I recommend this book without reservation.

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have reference for everyone..., April 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Circuit Designer's Companion (EDN Series for Design Engineers) (Paperback)

Everywhere I have worked I've made sure we have lots of copies of this on hand... Many of them walk away because it's such a good reference. If you ever need to design or build a product or just a fun project and have it work, start from here. Everything you won't learn in school, and industry just calls "experience". Combine this with High Speed Digital Design: A Handbook of Black Magic and you have an extremely powerful combination of references, covering all the details you need to know. Very highly recommended.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, April 12, 2007

By 

Scott (Bellingham, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Circuit Designer's Companion, Second Edition (EDN Series for Design Engineers) (Paperback)

I am about 2/3 the way through the book and am disappointed - not with the book, but with my schooling!

My profs were great and dedicated, but they didn't teach half the stuff in this book, not nearly enough real-world engineering. We came out of school without really knowing how to make a professional, working circuit design.

This great book will help the transition from school boy to engineer.

I highly recommend this book. Tim Williams explains real-world, critical circuit concerns in an easy to understand manner and backs it up with equations. For instance, did your profs ever explain what "ground bounce" really was, and if so did they emphasize how important it is to prevent and how?

The Circuit Designer's Companion is full of great advice and I hope to find more books by this author.