- #1
track
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Question is simple. Your opinion all round?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Control engineering Vs. Communication enginering
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Discussion Overview
The discussion centers on comparing control engineering and communication engineering, exploring various aspects such as job opportunities, salary, specialization, and personal interests in the fields. Participants share their perspectives on the nature of each discipline, including their challenges and areas of focus.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions the definition of communication engineering, suggesting it could involve RF circuitry design or modulation techniques like QAM and OFDM.
- Another participant describes control engineering as primarily focused on closed-loop feedback design, often more electronics-oriented, and suggests it may not be as challenging as RF and microwave electronics design.
- Concerns are raised about the mathematical aspects of communication engineering, including the need for knowledge in Fourier Transform, Probability, and Statistics, which some participants find daunting.
- One participant emphasizes the importance of personal interest in choosing a field, rather than solely focusing on job opportunities, which can fluctuate over time.
- Another participant mentions the growing sophistication of control systems in various industries such as power generation and manufacturing, suggesting that feedback theory can provide insights into natural processes.
- There is a suggestion that communication engineering may be perceived as more "hip," although the participant lacks experience in that area.
- A participant proposes considering a combination of both fields as a potential path.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the challenges and appeal of control engineering versus communication engineering. There is no consensus on which field is superior or more beneficial, and the discussion remains open-ended regarding personal preferences and career considerations.
Contextual Notes
Participants acknowledge that their opinions are based on personal experiences and interests, which may not apply universally. The discussion reflects a variety of perspectives without definitive conclusions.
- #2
yungman
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What do you mean by communication engineering? Do you mean designing RF circuitry for wireless communication, or more into the band and bandwidth, modulations like QAM, OFDM etc.?
Control engineering is more about closed loop feedback design, it usually is more electronics oriented except on slower system that people use software to do the closed loop control. It is not the most challenging type of design. Nothing like the RF and microwave electronics design.
If it is like the modulations and calculate QAM etc which I am not very familiar. Seems like it is more about calculation of the system through put, It involve math like Fourier Transform, Probability, Statistic, etc. Not exactly very deep into electronics. Excuse me if I have this one wrong. I read a little into this and I was stopped because I forgot most of the probality and never really get into statistics. Knowing Fourier Transform is not enough for me to understand the detail of calculating bit error rate and all. I am more the electronics person and I loss interest after a while on this.
If you refer to is RF, then I feel that is the most interesting. I spend quite a few years studying EM and RF circuitry design. I find this is the most challenging( difficult) and rewarding.
Bottom line is choose what you like, don't choose by the job opportunity as it change from time to time. What I wrote is basically on my own interest that might not apply to you.
Control engineering is more about closed loop feedback design, it usually is more electronics oriented except on slower system that people use software to do the closed loop control. It is not the most challenging type of design. Nothing like the RF and microwave electronics design.
If it is like the modulations and calculate QAM etc which I am not very familiar. Seems like it is more about calculation of the system through put, It involve math like Fourier Transform, Probability, Statistic, etc. Not exactly very deep into electronics. Excuse me if I have this one wrong. I read a little into this and I was stopped because I forgot most of the probality and never really get into statistics. Knowing Fourier Transform is not enough for me to understand the detail of calculating bit error rate and all. I am more the electronics person and I loss interest after a while on this.
If you refer to is RF, then I feel that is the most interesting. I spend quite a few years studying EM and RF circuitry design. I find this is the most challenging( difficult) and rewarding.
Bottom line is choose what you like, don't choose by the job opportunity as it change from time to time. What I wrote is basically on my own interest that might not apply to you.
- #3
track
- 34
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I share your taught, none of the areas are not specified tight, so... that's why I need all round (or wide) opinion. Job opportunities, salary, best specialisation, etc...
- #4
yungman
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track said:
Look at job sites to find out about job opportunities and salary. But still, go with what you like, that's the most important thing.
- #5
jim hardy
Science Advisor
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Dearly Missed
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"Know thyself"
if you like huge machinery control field might be the place. Power generation, transportation, manufacturing, all are enjoying increasingly sophisticated control systems.
You'll find feedback theory changes your view of how Mother Nature runs things.
e.g. http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/06/14/the-thermostat-hypothesis/
(last comment there is mine)
Communications is IMHO more "hip". But i have no experience in that field so won't comment.
if you like huge machinery control field might be the place. Power generation, transportation, manufacturing, all are enjoying increasingly sophisticated control systems.
You'll find feedback theory changes your view of how Mother Nature runs things.
e.g. http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/06/14/the-thermostat-hypothesis/
(last comment there is mine)
Communications is IMHO more "hip". But i have no experience in that field so won't comment.
- #6
dlgoff
Science Advisor
Gold Member
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How about a little of both?track said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCADA"
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