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The Art of Electronics, 3rd edition - Page 2 — Parallax Forums

The Art of Electronics, 3rd edition

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  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2015-06-24 08:35
    You might take a look at the 2014 ARRL Handbook, Centennial Edition. I have been pondering getting a copy as it might have a bit more than usual.

    http://www.arrl.org/centennial

    http://www.amazon.com/2014-Handbook-Radio-Communications-Hardcover/dp/1625950004 $500USD?

    The softcover is much saner...
    http://www.amazon.com/2014-Handbook-Radio-Communications-Softcover/dp/1625950012/ref=pd_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1P47F20JS2YKRCHKG4

    Then again, I just saw an ARRL Handbook 2015 PDF in Google. That creates an awkward situation as it obviously is bootleg. Be wary as it may be a scam and malware.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2015-06-24 09:35
  • Tracy AllenTracy Allen Posts: 6,664
    edited 2015-06-25 10:13
    Thanks for the head's up. I bought a copy for my bookshelf and I'm sure it will be a go-to reference and a general education. It will be a long time though before this becomes as beat up as my first edition. I have a second edition too. One to keep at home, one at work, and one to loan out.

    The sections on precision and low noise circuits are expanded and are superb, as would be expected. These authors deal with things like front ends for radio telescopes on a daily basis. I was just reading the new section that describes in detail the front end circuits of the HP/Agilent 34401A 6.5 digit multimeter. They do look at things in depth. From the basics, like "transistor-man" and passive components, to integrated circuits, to full system integration.

    They recognize that digital (and anolog) ICs and microprocessors in particular are a moving target. The Propeller P8X32 does find a place:

    section 15.3, Overview of popular microcontroller families
    Propeller (Parallax) 8-Core, 32-bit parallel processors; dc-80MHz; small line of DIP-40/44 or SMD; philosophy of "why have lots of built-in hardware peripherals like UARTS AND SPI when you can put eight real processors in there, give them all access to the I/O, and write good libraries to bitbang everything from mice and keyboard interface to analog video (VGA/NTSC)."


    I do miss the "bad circuits" sections at the end of each chapter that were in the 1st and 2nd editions. Those were great puzzles to see why, to test ones' understanding of the material. The insightful chapter on electronic construction is also gone.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2015-06-25 10:35
    That's very high praise coming from Tracy, nothing less than an e-Guru and my personal forum hero.

    I'm a lowly hack in comparison. My best circuits could easily be featured as "bad circuits". Tracy, if & when you feel a need for a chuckle, you have only to ask. I'd love to know how the heck they operate myself. I'm self-taught and guided mostly by luck, sparks, and the old ham adage "tune for minimum smoke".

    I actually have a second edition of AoE on my shelf, sounds like I should actually read it.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2015-06-26 13:57
    erco wrote: »
    I'm self-taught

    You're in good company. Apparently Paul Horowitz never took an electronics class.

    I'm about a third of the way through this interview with Mr. Horowitz and I'm enjoying it a lot so far.

    It sounds like AoE was written for people who wanted to use electronics not just learn the theory.

    I'm sure I'll get myself a copy sometime soon.
  • JLockeJLocke Posts: 354
    edited 2015-06-26 20:06
    Great interview! Thanks for posting this. What an interesting guy he would be to hang around with.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2015-06-27 03:38
    Wonderful interview. Paul Horowitz radiates enthusiasm for electronics. And we get a peek at AoE Zeroth Edition!
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2015-06-27 16:36
    Barnes & Noble is out of stock.

    Amazon has some of these listed as used books. I just paid $81.86 for a "like new" used copy. There were a couple of options which cost less but the copy I purchased was covered by Amazon Prime so I get free two day shipping. My copy should be here Wednesday.

    I'm pretty sure the Adafruit interview pushed off the fence of being undecided about this purchase.
  • Tracy AllenTracy Allen Posts: 6,664
    edited 2015-06-27 20:35
    An interesting interview, thanks for the link. A couple of other youtube videos show his easygoing classroom style...
    chaotic circuit (Lorenz attractor) built with op-amps
    negative resistance demo

    @ Erco, definitely dust off your copy and make acquaintance with "transistor man", source of more than a few few sparks and smoke, I've had my share!
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2015-06-28 00:06
    And Horowitz also appears in this video of a physics experiment where they listen to some protons singing. Spooky stuff.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9aQRDod2j4
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