This volume extensively covers semiconductor pulse circuits, explaining circuit operation and analysis, and discusses in detail practical pulse circuit design methods.The first chapters explain the characteristics of pulse waveforms and RC circuits that must be understood before the study of pulse circuitry can commence. The operation of diodes, BJTs, FETs, and op-amps in switching circuits is covered next. This leads to the design and analysis of inverters, Schmitt trigger circuits, multivibrators, IC timer circuits, ramp generators, and function generators. Logic gates, logic circuits, and IC logic families are also studied. After individual circuits and gates are studied, they are used as building blocks to explain digital counting, digital frequency meters, ADCs and DACs, pulse modulation, time division multiplexing. Many design and analysis examples are offered throughout the text. The circuit design approach is a simple step-by-step procedure. Device data sheets in the appendices are referred to, and standard-value components are selected.

Seven years have passed since the publication of the previous edition of this book. During that time, sensor technologies have made a remarkable leap forward. The sensitivity of the sensors became higher, the dimensions became smaller, the sel- tivity became better, and the prices became lower. What have not changed are the fundamental principles of the sensor design. They are still governed by the laws of Nature. Arguably one of the greatest geniuses who ever lived, Leonardo Da Vinci, had his own peculiar way of praying. He was saying, “Oh Lord, thanks for Thou do not violate your own laws. ” It is comforting indeed that the laws of Nature do not change as time goes by; it is just our appreciation of them that is being re?ned. Thus, this new edition examines the same good old laws of Nature that are employed in the designs of various sensors. This has not changed much since the previous edition. Yet, the sections that describe the practical designs are revised substantially. Recent ideas and developments have been added, and less important and nonessential designs were dropped. Probably the most dramatic recent progress in the sensor technologies relates to wide use of MEMS and MEOMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems and micro-electro-opto-mechanical systems). These are examined in this new edition with greater detail. This book is about devices commonly called sensors. The invention of a - croprocessor has brought highly sophisticated instruments into our everyday lives.