Book excerpt: The microelectronics evolution has given rise to many modern benefits but has also changed design methods and attitudes to learning. Technology advancements shifted focus from simple circuits to complex systems with major attention to high-level descriptions. The design methods moved from a bottom-up to a top-down approach. For today’s students, the most beneficial approach to learning is this top-down method that demonstrates a global view of electronics before going into specifics. Franco Maloberti uses this approach to explain the fundamentals of electronics, such as processing functions, signals and their properties. Here he presents a helpful balance of theory, examples, and verification of results, while keeping mathematics and signal processing theory to a minimum. Key features: Presents a new learning approach that will greatly improve students’ ability to retain key concepts in electronics studies Match the evolution of Computer Aided Design (CAD) which focuses increasingly on high-level design Covers sub-functions as well as basic circuits and basic components Provides real-world examples to inspire a thorough understanding of global issues, before going into the detail of components and devices Discusses power conversion and management; an important area that is missing in other books on the subject End-of-chapter problems and self-training sections support the reader in exploring systems and understanding them at increasing levels of complexity Inside this book you will find a complete explanation of electronics that can be applied across a range of disciplines including electrical engineering and physics. This comprehensive introduction will be of benefit to students studying electronics, as well as their lecturers and professors. Postgraduate engineers, those in vocational training, and design and application engineers will also find this book useful.