Electronics

1. Electronics Writing About Research

2. Electronic Technician • The primary job this class prepares for is an electronic technician, but electrical and electronic skills are used in a variety of jobs and tasks. • Look for these skills as you research careers. • When applying for a job, always do research on the company. • Look for products, mission, and market.

3. Job Descriptions • Electrical and electronics engineering technicians • design, develop, test and manufacture electrical and electronic equipment. • Broadcast technicians • install, test, repair, setup, and operate electronic equipment in recording and transmitting information via radio, television, cable, and film. • Service technicians • install, repair or adjust commercial or consumer electronic equipment.

4. Places of Employment • Large companies • Microsoft, IBM, GE, GM, Google, J.P. Morgan Chase, Shell, Exxon Mobile, Halliburton, Walmart, Texas Instruments, Samsung • All of these companies have technical divisions or departments. • These companies are stable and profitable. • There are many different industries and many different employment options.

5. Additional Categories • Small companies and independent repair shops • Consumer electronics repair shop • Radio and television equipment repair shop • (Note: The repair of communication equipment and systems requires licensing by the Federal Communications Commission). • Automotive and aircraft electronic equipment repair shop

6. Places of Employment (continued) • Large private repair and servicing firms • Service organizations providing specialized service for medical or office equipment • Technical representatives • Manufacturers • Merchandisers • Government agencies • Military services (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, and Coast Guard) • Government Laboratories • Government Bureau of Standards • State and local government service departments

7. Places of Employment (continued) • National communications industries • Radio and television networks • Telephone and Internet companies • Satellite communications • Microwave and laser communication industries • Computer industries • Emerging electronic industries

8. Sample Job Description • The following slide shows a sample technical job description • Place each requirement into one of the two categories • Hard skills • Soft skills • Are there any other skill requirements necessary for the job but not listed?

9. Software Engineer This position will design and maintain Embedded software control systems.Specific responsibilities are as follows: • Design, release, maintain, and enhance Windows CE-based applications (on an Embedded platform) using Visual C++, as well as various other Embedded single board computer devices using an AVR C compiler in a Real Time environment. • Manage change requests including product enhancements, new features, and issue resolutions. • Manage software verification and validation through internal and external testing. • Develop new software architecture as required and develop specifications for software systems. • Develop and enhance communication between systems using RS485, RS232, and Ethernet. • Assist in the development of electrical and mechanical systems as required. • Generate Design, Product documents and other appropriate documents to verify and communicate design, including but not limited to Review Meeting Minutes, Test Plans, Flow Charts and Source Code. • Meet with customers, collect customer requirements, create project specifications from requirements, and create time estimates based on specifications. • Travel to customer locations to perform on-site testing and troubleshooting when needed. • Provide technical support, as required, to customers, distributors, and internal personal. • Work with Production, Product Support, Manufacturing Engineering and Marketing & Sales personnel through the design and release of products. Success requires the following: • A Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering is required. • A minimum of three years software experience is required, with preferred experience in designing software for Embedded Microprocessor controlled industrial equipment and software development for industrial machines. • Proficiency writing C++ in the Windows CE environment is preferred, but knowledge of C++ programming in general is required. • Proficiency writing C in an Embedded environment is preferred, but knowledge of C programming in general is required. • Proven communicator with customers, engineers, technicians, sales staff, and distributors. • Must be able to self-direct and possess strong project management skills. • Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

10. Second Internet Assignment • Pick a career or job to write a research paper about. • Describe the knowledge and skills required. • List reasons an individual would want this career. • What is the expected salary or income? • What are possible promotion paths? • Describe the education or experience needed.

11. Sources for Employment Information • Newspapers • Internet • http://online.onetcenter.org/ • http://www.occupationalinfo.org/ • Search engines • Type the words “technical jobs” into a search engine • Textbooks • Trade magazines

12. Important Skill • One important skill mentioned in many job descriptions is electronic maintenance. • What does this mean?

13. Steps Involved in Electronics Maintenance • Analysis of the symptom • Troubleshooting • Repair • Certification

14. Analysis of Symptoms • Operate or attempt to operate the equipment. • Observe what appears to be wrong. • Diagnose the cause of the problem.

15. Troubleshooting • Obtain specifications or fact sheets for the equipment. (Note: Every manufacturer of electronic equipment provides specifications regarding which state and what should be measured at various parts of the circuit. Be sure to check their website first). • Using proper test equipment, isolate the trouble and measure for correct outputs or signals at various parts of the circuit, especially in the area where the trouble is suspected.

16. Troubleshooting (Continued) • Continue test and measurement using mid-point techniques until problem is identified. • Determine which component or components are the cause of the faulty indication. • Repair or attach tag to equipment briefly describing trouble, faulty test indications, and component(s) tobe replaced.

17. Repair • Disassemble the equipment. • Remove the faulty component(s). • Install new component(s). • Reassemble the equipment.

18. Certification • Check for proper circuit outputs. • Adjust current or voltage levels as necessary. • Operate equipment to make sure trouble symptoms are removed.