Electronics represents one of the most important, and rapidly changing, areas of engineering. It is used at the heart of a vast range of products that extends from mobile phones to computers, and from cars to nuclear power stations. For this reason, all engineers, scientists and technologists need a basic understanding of such systems, while many will require a far more detailed knowledge of this area.

When the first edition of this book was published it represented a very novel approach to the teaching of electronics. At that time most texts adopted a decidedly ‘bottom-up’ approach to the subject, starting by looking at semiconductor materials and working their way through diodes and transistors before eventually, several chapters later, looking at the uses of the circuits being considered. Electronics: A Systems Approach pioneered a new, ‘top-down’ approach to the teaching of electronics by explaining the uses and required characteristics of circuits, before embarking on detailed analysis. This aids comprehension and makes the process of learning much more interesting.

One of the great misconceptions concerning this approach is that it is in some way less rigorous in its treatment of the subject. A top-down approach does not define the depth to which a subject is studied but only the order and manner in which the material is presented. Many students will need to look in detail at the operation of electronic components and to understand the physics of its materials; however, this will be more easily absorbed if the characteristics and uses of the components are understood first.

A great benefit of a top-down approach is that it makes the book more accessible for all its potential readers. For those who intend to specialise in electronic engineering the material is presented in a way that makes it easy to absorb, providing an excellent grounding for further study. For those intending to specialise in other areas of engineering or science, the order of presentation allows them to gain a good grounding in the basics, and to progress into the detail only as far as is appropriate for their needs.