Description

The field of industrial electronics covers a plethora of problems that must be solved in industrial practice. Electronic systems control many processes that begin with the control of relatively simple devices like electric motors, through more complicated devices such as robots, to the control of entire fabrication processes. An industrial electronics engineer deals with many physical phenomena as well as the sensors that are used to measure them.

Thus, the knowledge required by this type of engineer is not only traditional electronics but also specialized electronics, for example, that required for high-power applications. The importance of electronic circuits extends well beyond their use as a final product in that they are also important building blocks in large systems, and thus the industrial electronics engineer must also possess knowledge of the areas of control and mechatronics. Since most fabrication processes are relatively complex, there is an inherent requirement for the use of communication systems that not only link the various elements of the industrial process but are also tailor-made for the specific industrial environment.

Finally, the efficient control and supervision of factories require the application of intelligent systems in a hierarchical structure to address the needs of all components employed in the production process. This need is accomplished through the use of intelligent systems such as neural networks, fuzzy systems, and evolutionary methods. The Industrial Electronics Handbook addresses all these issues and does so in five books outlined as follows:

1. Fundamentals of Industrial Electronics
2. Power Electronics and Motor Drives
3. Control and Mechatronics
4. Industrial Communication Systems
5. Intelligent Systems