In this blog post, we will look at how electronics is being applied to everyday technologies such as smartphones, communications, and the Internet of Things.
An app that provides real-time and fairly accurate information on the location of the next bus at your current bus stop is a very useful feature for anyone who uses public transportation in Seoul. Other people may not think much of it, but I often wonder how much technology is behind such small conveniences. The more I study, the more I realize how complex the invisible technology is, which I find very interesting.
Based on this, I will give a brief introduction to electronic engineering. Electronic engineering is revolutionizing our daily lives. As mentioned above, electronic engineering is applied in various fields, such as communication technology that enables us to send and receive vast amounts of data via smartphones, semiconductor technology that processes such data as quickly as computers, automation systems that enable precise and complex processes without human intervention, and the Internet of Things (IoT), which allows objects around us to collect necessary information and act accordingly or notify us. In order to implement these technologies, we are learning everything from the basics at university.
In order to implement these technologies, we are learning the basics one by one at university. First, let’s take a brief look at the fields that are currently being applied in real life and are related to what we are learning. The field of signal processing, which receives various signals from nature through sensors, processes them according to their purpose, and then sends them back to us as signals that we can understand, is actually based on mathematics. For example, signals from nature are called analog signals, which can be seen as a combination of trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, etc.) that have frequencies.
For example, the frequency commonly referred to in radio broadcasting refers to this, and light appears in different colors depending on its wavelength, which is inversely proportional to frequency, so it is also related to frequency. Similarly, the pitch of sound varies depending on the frequency of vibration, and since the frequency of vibration is the reciprocal of frequency, it is also related to frequency. As you can see, most analog signals are closely related to frequency. Therefore, by specifying what value is at what frequency, we can identify the signal, and by converting it into a digital signal, a computer can finally perform calculations. The processed digital signal is then converted back into an analog signal so that we can recognize it. This is why we can shoot videos with a camera and watch them on a TV. By utilizing this property, it is possible to amplify the values of specific frequencies and easily identify things that cannot be distinguished with the naked eye. In addition, machines will be able to identify objects, understand their movements, and perform various tasks based on this information.
The signal conversion method related to this is called Fourier transform, which is taught in engineering mathematics courses. Based on this, you will learn about systems that convert and process signals in signal and system courses, and then study more precise and complex signal processing in digital signal processing courses. Circuit theory and electromagnetics, which form the basis of electronic engineering, are also essential subjects for understanding and developing these technologies.
Most electronic devices have circuits and chips. Digital information is exchanged between devices through circuits, and chips are responsible for calculating and processing that information. The importance of electronic circuits in our daily lives is expected to continue to grow in the future. In the case of driverless cars, which we learned about in class, sensors accurately recognize surrounding objects and road conditions, and electronic circuits in each part perform calculations to ensure that the appropriate actions are taken. These circuits are connected to each other via Ethernet (a local area network) to form a systematic network.
In order to use such advanced technology, we first learn the most basic circuit theory. We learn about changes in current and voltage in circuits consisting of basic components such as current and voltage sources, resistors, inductors, capacitors, and amplifiers. In later courses, you will learn about complex devices such as diodes and logic gates in electronic circuits and logic circuits, and later you will try to construct simple circuits that perform simple calculations and processing.
The field of communications is very complex, so I have not yet learned about it directly, but it is generally based on electromagnetics. You are probably very familiar with the term “electromagnetic waves.” In fact, communication can be seen as being carried out through electromagnetic waves. In order to communicate accurately and safely, it is necessary to understand the properties of electric fields and magnetic fields. I am currently studying electromagnetics, and depending on my choice, I will study communication theory in depth in the future. I believe that the field of communications plays a mediating role in the formation of our advanced modern civilization. This is easy to understand when you consider the internet and mobile communications, as well as current issues such as 5G and the Internet of Things.
If you look around you, you will find that many more electronic technologies than you might think are embedded in everyday items such as batteries, displays, electric vehicles, and card readers. Take Samsung Electronics’ recently announced Galaxy S6 smartphone, for example. It features faster memory, improved camera, fingerprint recognition, Samsung Pay, and other impressive electronic technologies, all packed into a small device. Electronics plays a major role in making the things we have seen and admired in science fiction movies a reality. In fact, I chose this department because I had a vague idea that I wanted to develop various technologies to make life more convenient and improve its quality. Although I have only been studying for about two years, I feel that I am getting closer to my dream, and although the content is somewhat complicated and difficult, I think it is a major field of study that is more rewarding than anything else.
The appeal of electronic engineering is that there is no end to it. Many of the conveniences we enjoy in our daily lives are actually the result of tremendous research and technological advances. The potential for future development is also endless. Various technologies that will revolutionize our future, such as autonomous vehicles, smart homes, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), all fall under the category of electronic engineering. I feel very fortunate to be able to study electronic engineering and encounter new challenges and learning opportunities every day. This is not just an academic pursuit, but also an opportunity to change our lives and contribute to creating a better world.
