What branch of electrical engineering uses a lot of probability?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the application of probability theory within various branches of electrical engineering, particularly beyond maintenance tasks. Participants explore different fields where probability is utilized, including communication theory and information theory, as well as its relevance in modern technologies like mobile communications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions using probability in troubleshooting electronic PCBs and seeks to understand its application in other branches of electrical engineering.
  • Another participant suggests communication theory as a significant area where probability is applied, particularly in signal encoding and decoding.
  • A different viewpoint highlights the use of Kalman filtering to manage uncertainties in inputs across various fields of electrical engineering.
  • Measurement errors and effects of component tolerances are noted as areas where probability plays a role.
  • Several participants recommend specific books that illustrate the connection between probability theory and communication engineering, including works by Wozencraft and Jacobs.
  • Information theory is proposed as a field that heavily relies on probability, with applications in data compression, error correction, and telecommunications.
  • There is a discussion about the application of probability theory in modern mobile technologies, specifically in relation to Wi-Fi and cellular communications.
  • Some participants express a desire for resources, such as videos, to better understand the application of probability in these contexts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that probability theory is relevant in multiple branches of electrical engineering, particularly in communication and information theory. However, there are multiple competing views regarding the specific applications and relevance in modern technologies, and the discussion remains unresolved on certain aspects.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the context of specific applications and the complexity of the topics discussed. There are references to technical resources that may require further exploration to fully understand the applications of probability theory.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and professionals interested in the intersection of probability theory and electrical engineering, particularly in communication systems and modern mobile technologies.

badr
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Hello everybody.

I have used probability in troubleshooting electronic pcbs , but the complexity of the designs forced me to apply it in other branches of electrical engineering.

What branch in electrical other than maintenance uses probability theory ?
 
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Communication theory, and application of that theory to signal encoding/decoding.
 
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Electrical engineering is applicable in so many diverse fields that there are a multitude of possibilities. In the field that I am most familiar with, there are always uncertainties in the inputs. Kalman filtering is used to merge uncertain inputs into a best guess. I think that you can find uncertainty in virtually any field.
 
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Measurement errors, effects of component tolerances...
 
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I appreciate your suggestions .

I am watching some videos.
 
berkeman said:
Communication theory, and application of that theory to signal encoding/decoding.
BTW @badr -- If you have access to a technical library, take a look at these two books (you will see how probability theory is involved with Communication Engineering):

1716588177210.png

https://www.amazon.com/Principles-C...M-Wozencraft/dp/0471962406/?tag=pfamazon01-20

1716588226730.png

https://www.amazon.com/Introduction...g-1977-07-07/dp/B01FGN1NLA/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
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berkeman said:
BTW @badr -- If you have access to a technical library, take a look at these two books (you will see how probability theory is involved with Communication Engineering):

I am looking for modern applications like android and iOS comms .

If you can , link me to some videos about the matter .
 
badr said:
I am looking for modern applications like android and iOS comms .
Sorry, I'm not understanding what that means in the context of your original question:
badr said:
I have used probability in troubleshooting electronic pcbs , but the complexity of the designs forced me to apply it in other branches of electrical engineering.

What branch in electrical other than maintenance uses probability theory ?
 
berkeman said:
Sorry, I'm not understanding what that means in the context of your original question:
I am just asking in the context of the books you linked not my question.

I am not native English speaker btw 😀
 
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badr said:
I am not native English speaker btw
Well your English is a lot better than my second languages! :smile:

badr said:
I am just asking in the context of the books you linked not my question.
Okay, so you are asking how probability theory can be applied to cell phone apps? What kind of apps?
 
  • #11
+1 for Wozencraft and Jacobs. I also suggest that you look into information theory, which uses probability theory heavily and which is the mathematical scaffolding for communications systems, encoding, data compression (jpeg, e.g.), error correction in disk drives, cell phones and deep space telemetry, hash codes, etc.
Thomas and Cover, "Elements of Information Theory" is the standard text.
McKay, "Information Theory, Inference, and Learning Algorithms" is also good and somewhat simpler to follow. It can also be read online for free here
Information Theory, Inference, and Learning Algorithms,
so long as you don't save or print it.

Finally, I highly recommend Edwin Jaynes's book "Probability Theory: the Logic of Science." He shows how probability theory underpins data sampling, inference, parameter estimation, decision theory, communications theory and much more.
 
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  • #12
berkeman said:
Well your English is a lot better than my second languages! :smile:


Okay, so you are asking how probability theory can be applied to cell phone apps? What kind of apps?
Well , more like wifi and 4g , 3g technology.
 
  • #13
badr said:
Well , more like wifi and 4g , 3g technology.
Well, starting with Wozencraft & Jacobs is still a good idea, so I'd still recommend that you find a technical library that has it, or check at your local community library to see if they can get it on inter-library loan so you can look through it for a couple weeks. Once you understand the basics from W&J, you can look at the newer encoding techniques like OOFDM and similar that are used in the latest wireless communication schemes. For that you could start at the Wikipedia articles for those wireless communication standards, and follow the references for more technical information.

Here is the Table of Contents for W&J from my copy of the book, along with the link again to the Amazon copy. This should be allowed under Copyright Fair Use, since I'm basically advertising the book:

https://www.amazon.com/Principles-C...M-Wozencraft/dp/0471962406/?tag=pfamazon01-20

WnJ TOC1.jpg


WnJ TOC2.jpg


WnJ TOC3.jpg
 
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  • #14
berkeman said:
Well, starting with Wozencraft & Jacobs is still a good idea, so I'd still recommend that you find a technical library that has it, or check at your local community library to see if they can get it on inter-library loan so you can look through it for a couple weeks. Once you understand the basics from W&J, you can look at the newer encoding techniques like OOFDM and similar that are used in the latest wireless communication schemes. For that you could start at the Wikipedia articles for those wireless communication standards, and follow the references for more technical information.

Here is the Table of Contents for W&J from my copy of the book, along with the link again to the Amazon copy. This should be allowed under Copyright Fair Use, since I'm basically advertising the book:

https://www.amazon.com/Principles-C...M-Wozencraft/dp/0471962406/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I will get into it fir sure just to get some basics.
 
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