Where to start learning electronics engineering on my own?

[Electronicslover]

Ok so I am in love with electronics and now I want to start learning from the bottom to the top, so that means physics and math, what are beginning topics that I must cover before jumping to circuit analysis and theory?

I have a dream and planning to invent new digital device like smarthphone, ipod. So I am trying to find where to begin, can someone help me, please!

 

[berkeman]

Ok so I am in love with electronics and now I want to start learning from the bottom to the top, so that means physics and math, what are beginning topics that I must cover before jumping to circuit analysis and theory?

I have a dream and planning to invent new digital device like smarthphone, ipod. So I am trying to find where to begin, can someone help me, please!

Welcome to the PF.

What level is your education so far? High school? Trade school? What math have you had so far?

I really like the book "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and Hill as a basic introduction to electronics. If you have a technical library nearby, see if you can look through the book to see if it interests you. If you like it you could try to buy a used one on Amazon.

 

[Electronicslover]

Welcome to the PF.

What level is your education so far? High school? Trade school? What math have you had so far?

I really like the book "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and Hill as a basic introduction to electronics. If you have a technical library nearby, see if you can look through the book to see if it interests you. If you like it you could try to buy a used one on Amazon.

Thanks!

So my knowledge of math is in middle I know algebra and trigonometry, but now I don't know whether to go on calculus.

I know book Art of Electronics and I think that I am not ready for that book yet.

 

[berkeman]

I am in love with electronics

I don't know whether to go on calculus.

If you love electronics, then yes, you should learn calculus. It's pretty hard to get comfortable with circuits that have inductors and capacitors in them without at least a basic understanding of calculus, IMO.

You can also look at building some basic electronics kits. That's a fun and practical way to start learning more about electronics and how to put things together. Have you found any good websites for buying basic electronics kits? It's the most fun to put something together that you can actually use in your real life, like an electronic clock kit.

 

[Electronicslover]

If you love electronics, then yes, you should learn calculus. It's pretty hard to get comfortable with circuits that have inductors and capacitors in them without at least a basic understanding of calculus, IMO.

You can also look at building some basic electronics kits. That's a fun and practical way to start learning more about electronics and how to put things together. Have you found any good websites for buying basic electronics kits? It's the most fun to put something together that you can actually use in your real life, like an electronic clock kit.

Ok I need calculus I know that but I need guidelines do I start with calculus? And what physics topics I learn first is it electromagnetism?

Well I am from small European country and I don't know any sites from which I can buy online electroc kit.

 

[anorlunda]

Ok I need calculus I know that but I need guidelines do I start with calculus? And what physics topics I learn first is it electromagnetism?

Well I am from small European country and I don't know any sites from which I can buy online electroc kit.

Your enthusiasm sounds good. Book learning, and learning from kits are two paths that can be followed in parallel.

I have always been impressed by how effective Khan Academy is at teaching. You can learn calculus and differential equations there, which is the prerequisite that @berkeman mentioned. You can also learn basic electricity and circuits there. The website tracks your progress and comprehension.

It is free and simple to get started at Khan. You can't get a degree there to qualify for a job, but you can get a lot of useful understanding.

https://www.khanacademy.org

 

[rootone]

Wikipedia is in my opinion quite a good place to start for getting basic understanding.
If you read a wiki article and can't really get what it is saying, then this forum is a good place to get helpful explanations.
You could start with these:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transistor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics

 

[Electronicslover]

Your enthusiasm sounds good. Book learning, and learning from kits are two paths that can be followed in parallel.

I have always been impressed by how effective Khan Academy is at teaching. You can learn calculus and differential equations there, which is the prerequisite that @berkeman mentioned. You can also learn basic electricity and circuits there. The website tracks your progress and comprehension.

It is free and simple to get started at Khan. You can't get a degree there to qualify for a job, but you can get a lot of useful understanding.

https://www.khanacademy.org

Yes I have very good enthusiasm for electronics

I know Khan Academy I watched Khan but I am not comfortable with videos I love books, I think books are good for beginning.

I need to collact topics first from 1. to n...
Like first I need to learn on example:
1. Electromagnetisam
2. DC
3.AC
4. circuit theory etc..
If you know what I am saying

 

[Electronicslover]

Wikipedia is in my opinion quite a good place to start for getting basic understanding.
If you read a wiki article and can't really get what it is saying, then this forum is a good place to get helpful explanations.
You could start with these:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transistor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics

Yes Wikipedia is a good resource of everything but it is too short, and no guidelines what to learn first.. I am beginner
I need specific topics from math and topics from physics in order

 

[rootone]

There are links at the end of articles, which go into more depth,
Anyway, figure out what transistors do first, then try to build a simple transistor audio amplifier.
Something which could take the audio output of a phone and amplify enough so you can hear it on a small loudspeaker.
It should only cost few euros or dollars for the components, circuit diagrams for that kind of thing are all over the net.
You can even get educational packages for that sort of thing.
Try google this "hobby electronics kits"

 

[Electronicslover]

There are links at the end of articles, which go into more depth,
Anyway, figure out what transistors do first, then try to build a simple transistor audio amplifier.
Something which could take the audio output of a phone and amplify enough so you can hear it on a small loudspeaker.
It should only cost few euros or dollars for the components, circuit diagrams for that kind of thing are all over the net.
You can even get educational packages for that sort of thing.
Try google this "hobby electronics kits"

I see but I am not here for hobby I want to build career as a engineer so first thing is theory and then I put that into practice.

 

[anorlunda]

I see but I am not here for hobby I want to build career as a engineer so first thing is theory and then I put that into practice.

In that case, you will probably need a four year degree from a university. Self-taught learning is not usually recognized as a qualification for getting a job. It sounds like you really need some career guidance. Perhaps the last school that you went to is willing to help you with guidance.

Edit: Software and programming are an exception. In many cases, programmers are hired for skills, not qualifications. But you mentioned chip design. You definitely need an engineering degree for that.

 

[Electronicslover]

In that case, you will probably need a four year degree from a university. Self-taught learning is not usually recognized as a qualification for getting a job. It sounds like you really need some career guidance. Perhaps the last school that you went to is willing to help you with guidance.

Edit: Software and programming are an exception. In many cases, programmers are hired for skills, not qualifications. But you mentioned chip design. You definitely need an engineering degree for that.

In that case, you will probably need a four year degree from a university. Self-taught learning is not usually recognized as a qualification for getting a job. It sounds like you really need some career guidance. Perhaps the last school that you went to is willing to help you with guidance.

Edit: Software and programming are an exception. In many cases, programmers are hired for skills, not qualifications. But you mentioned chip design. You definitely need an engineering degree for that.

I can't get into that university.

And I am not planning to get job, I am planning to create my own.

 

[Vanadium 50]

And I am not planning to get job, I am planning to create my own.

That doesn't sound to me like a very good plan. With no credentials and no track record, who do you expect to pay you? And to do what?

 

[Electronicslover]

That doesn't sound to me like a very good plan. With no credentials and no track record, who do you expect to pay you? And to do what?

I am planning to make my own electronics company of digital devices like Apple and Samsung Electronics, but no phones or any known device.

 

[Vanadium 50]

So your plan is:

1. Read some books on electronics
2. Invent something nobody has thought of
3. Build a multi-hundred billion dollar company around it
4. Enjoy your newfound wealth

I don't think this is a very good plan. If it were that simple, everyone would do it.

 

[Electronicslover]

So your plan is:

1. Read some books on electronics
2. Invent something nobody has thought of
3. Build a multi-hundred billion dollar company around it
4. Enjoy your newfound wealth

I don't think this is a very good plan. If it were that simple, everyone would do it.

Nope my plan is:
1. Learn everything that I need for VLSI design from basics to the high level.
2. In the meantime I will start electronics hobby and learn how circuits and components works
And then I will start designing device.

I didnt say thai is simple at all I know it going to be very very hard, and I am prepared to work very hard.

 

[anorlunda]

Learn everything that I need for VLSI design from basics to the high level.

Do you know that it takes teams of dozens or hundreds of designers for a single VLSI chip? They also need the support of software tools costing millions of dollars.

 

[Electronicslover]

Do you know that it takes teams of dozens or hundreds of designers for a single VLSI chip? They also need the support of software tools costing millions of dollars.

I am not planning to design it alone of course, but I

Do you know that it takes teams of dozens or hundreds of designers for a single VLSI chip? They also need the support of software tools costing millions of dollars.

I didn't know that.

So what it takes, what courses are required for designing a digital device?

 

[anorlunda]

You would first need a course in circuit analysis (covers both DC and AC). Then semiconductors. Then digital circuits. Then VLSI design. I am really not qualified to suggest a complete course of study and specific textbooks for you.

I hesitate to suggest this. I don't want to waste your money. The following book costs $17.50. It would give you a better idea about how big a subject it is. The book could not teach you starting at your level today, but it could serve to show you that it is much more complicated than you imagine.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9332902682/?tag=pfamazon01-20

What about your local library? Might you find a book on VLSI design there?

 

[Electronicslover]

You would first need a course in circuit analysis (covers both DC and AC). Then semiconductors. Then digital circuits. Then VLSI design. I am really not qualified to suggest a complete course of study and specific textbooks for you.

I hesitate to suggest this. I don't want to waste your money. The following book costs $17.50. It would give you a better idea about how big a subject it is. The book could not teach you starting at your level today, but it could serve to show you that it is much more complicated than you imagine.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9332902682/?tag=pfamazon01-20

What about your local library? Might you find a book on VLSI design there?

Aha circuit analysis, calculus is required for that topic I think, is there any other math prerequisite?

And right know I am collecting topics what is beginning phase of this beautiful journey :D
Then I will look for textbooks.

I am from small European country and there is no books on VLSI, we don't have any kind of Technology research center.

 

[Electronicslover]

You would first need a course in circuit analysis (covers both DC and AC). Then semiconductors. Then digital circuits. Then VLSI design. I am really not qualified to suggest a complete course of study and specific textbooks for you.

I hesitate to suggest this. I don't want to waste your money. The following book costs $17.50. It would give you a better idea about how big a subject it is. The book could not teach you starting at your level today, but it could serve to show you that it is much more complicated than you imagine.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/9332902682/?tag=pfamazon01-20

What about your local library? Might you find a book on VLSI design there?

Well I think I need to cover some topics before jumping on circuit analysis, plus there is math.
What mathematics field I need to learn?