Circuits form the basis of all components of electronics from a manual switch that turns a light on and off in a home to a very complicated system that controls a smartphone, computer or another type sophisticated electronic device. And, no matter how simple or complicated the circuit is, electronic circuit design is at the heart of the operation.
The basic need of all electronic circuit design is to direct and stop or start the flow of electrons through the system, or the circuit, to provide power. Each component of the circuit is made of different types of components, which can be larger or small depending on the type of circuit and the specific design.
A Simple Concept
The wires, or the materials, that the electrons pass through in an electronic circuit are called conductors. These can be wires, they can be printed components, or they can include combinations of materials that increase the conductivity or the movement of the electrons through the system.
Electronic circuit design also uses insulators, which are specific materials that stop, slow down or prevent the movement of electrons through different components of the circuit. For example, plastics and fiberglass are insulators as are glass and ceramics and even wood. Semiconductors can operate both as a conductor and an insulator depending on the specifics of the electronic circuit design.
To ensure an efficient electronic circuit design the power has to flow through the system to complete a full circuit. The actual switch or control in the circuit enables this flow to complete the circuit or to interrupt the circuit.
A Complex Application
The modern designs of electronic circuits in computers, smartphones, tablets and in all types of industrial applications and products is much more complex than what is described above.
The schematics for these components are typically designed by computer software programs operated by electrical engineers with a specialization in electronic circuits. The software programs and the development of new designs have to be carefully completed following electronics theory and the rules of circuit design.
In digital electronics, there are additional elements that come into play. This can include microcontrollers, which are tiny components that use electronic input into their systems to create specific actions through the generation of specific electronic signals that control other parts of the system. These are the components of new electronic circuit design that allow electronics to complete amazing actions based on the specifics of both what is actually happening and stored information in the system.
