EEE1002

Introduction to Electrical &

Electronics Engineering
 History of Engineering
Early man
pottery, tools, barnma, agriculture, shelter
wheel, horse carriage, simple boats
3000 BC
irrigation canals, mining, pyramids, ships,
cannon, weapons, catapult
1000 BC
screw, water mill, Heros turbine
Engineering: What are its fields?
Thirty years ago. . .
If it moves, it's mechanical engineering;
If it doesn't move, it's civil engineering;
If you can't see it, it's electrical engineering;
If it smells, it's chemical engineering.

Today, its a blur. . .

Biomolecular-, nano-, computer-, materials-, robotic-,
biomedical-, environmental-, . . .
 Definitions of Engineering
As a profession:
Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical
and natural sciences, gained by study, experience, and practice, is
applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize , economically, the
materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind. (ABET)
ABET: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology

As an activity:
An innovative and methodical application of scientific knowledge and
technology to produce a device, system or process, which is intended
to satisfy human need(s). (Voland, Engineering By Design , 2004)

But, are there more definitions?

 Engineering is art. Aesthetics as well as function counts

The Guggenheim Museum,

Bilbao, Spain Ray and Maria Stata Center,
Frank Gehry, architect MIT, Cambridge
Frank Gehry, architect
More art . . .

Kovuk aqueduct, Istanbul, 1564

Mimar Sinan

Sagrada familia, Barcelona

Antonio Gaudi, to be completed in 2026

Boring - see Civil Engineers --UK Yellow Pages

Engineering is problem-solving
Engineering is approximation. The mathematics of engineering
systems are often too complicated to solve analytically.

Engineering problems are under-defined, there are many solutions,

good, bad and indifferent. The art is to arrive at a good solution.
This is a creative activity involving imagination, intuition, and
deliberate choice.--Ove Arup (design engineer for the Sydney Opera House)
Engineering is measurement and estimation. River flow,
noise in a communication system, scatter in a laser beam,
earthquake characteristics--all require measurement
Engineering is modeling and simulation.

Often the only efficient means to confirm

that an idea or design will work is to
experiment with a scale model or
computer simulation.

Model of the X-33 (unmanned

suborbital spaceplane) being
tested in the NASA Langley
Mach 20 helium wind tunnel
 Engineering is communication. Making presentations,
producing technical manuals, coordinating teams for large
scale projects are all fundamental to engineering practice.

Orbiter lost: $125M communication error Richard Feynman

during the Challenger
disaster hearings.
 Engineering is politics. The best functional solution
is not necessarily the best practical solution.

Bergama

NIMBY

BTC oil pipeline

Engineering is finance. Design, construction, operation,
and maintenance costs determine the viability of projects.

The Big Dig, Boston: $14.2 billion

The Channel tunnel: $21 billion

($1 billion = 666 Eiffel towers)

Engineering is invention/design/innovation.
New devices, materials, and processes are
developed by engineers to meet needs that
existing technologies do not address.
Engineering is new materials. . . and the space elevator
Engineering is new designs for old problems

Millau viaduct-France (2005)

Engineering isnt only about big things.

Its also about nano-bio, bottom-up, tailored structures

(nano-robots, quantum dot (nanocrystal made of semiconductor with
quantum mechanical properties) biological markers)
Engineering is haptics and robotic surgery
 Engineering is ethics.

Engineering is safety.

Engineering is public service.

...

Architects and engineers are among the most fortunate of men since
they build their own monuments with public consent, public approval
and often public moneyhistorian John Prebble
 You should be an EEE if
The thought of creating something entirely new is very exciting to
you (think iPhone!).
You work and play well with others (NO engineer EVER works alone!).
Hard work and long hours are fine with you so long as the work is not
repetitive or boring (and yes, even the best engineering tasks have
boring parts)
You really, really loved trigonometry. And you cant wait to study
calculus!
 You should be an EEE if:
You are patient and enjoy the challenge of different courses, even
though you are not sure why they are in the curriculum.
Dont think you need English? Wait until that first presentation
to your boss or that first report to the VP.
Dont understand why you need history? George Santayana:
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to
repeat it.
Think chemistry is a waste for EEEs? Wait until you get that
first job in a fabrication facility.
The idea of building circuits in the EEE labs is so cool you just cannot
wait to get there.
The idea of contributing to society sounds exciting or fulfilling.
You like the idea of having responsibility and taking a major role in an
important project.
You think you would like the idea of managing a development team
and completing a significant engineering accomplishment.
 Good news: You have the ability!

No one here will fail because he/she is not smart enough.

If you fail, it will be because you:

Do not focus.
Are lazy.
Have bad (ineffective) study habits.
Survival techniques: Time management
Time management is key. Understand the time investment required.
Example: For a 15-hour course load, you will need to study ~3
hours/ week for every hour in class. So, 15 credit hours 60 hours/week.

College is NOT high school. High school study habits will NOT see you
through college! If you do not study effectively, you will fail.
Make a schedule, then follow it.
Dont put off scheduled course-related items: HW, exam study,
etc.
Let recreation be a REWARD for study items that are completed.
Limit distractions. Resist the seductive pull of a friends visit, a
TV show, even going out to eat versus having a snack and
continuing your study.
 How do you graduate?
Learning = rewiring neurons = STUDY!
Homework is NOT drudgery. It gives you the opportunity to practice/perfect problem-skills.
Never miss any homework problems.
Do all optional work. The extra items will help make you more proficient.
Properly done, homework points to holes in your knowledge.
Make study time count:
Have a good place to study. If your apartment/dorm is noisy, go somewhere quieter.
Be prepared:
We cannot teach you all course content in few hours/week unless you are prepared.
When you need additional help, come to office hours.
Take good notes.
Remember that studying your textbook is NOT like reading for entertainment.
Print out lab exercises, read carefully, make notes in the margins.
As mentioned earlier, do ALL the homework!
And get the textbooks.
 Other considerations
Learn to be a social butterfly! You need to be able to make friends, work well with
others, and get along.
Network(!!). Your future depends on your professional connections so start making
them now.
Keep up your health! Eat properly, get enough sleep especially before tests, avoid
developing bad habits (staying out too late, too much alcohol, too much starch, etc.).
Learn to write and present well.
Practice being a logical thinker. Be prepared to debate when you think someone is
uninformed, ignorant, or prejudiced.
DONT STUDY TO PASS AND MAKE A GRADE! Study to learn the material.
Be a whole person. Cultivate outside interests and enjoy life.
Read everything! Read constantly! Read newspapers every day. Read magazines
especially those having to do with current affairs, news, and business.
Make sure you are well-prepared to impress your prospective employer.
 Exploring your choice

How do you find out if electrical engineering is right?

Internships and co-op positions give real experience.
A mentor faculty or upper class person can help.
Student chapters of professional societies.
Special area presentations (guest speakers) can also
help you gain perspective.
 An engineer should possess
Problem-solving skills
Effective communication skills
Highly ethical and professional behaviour
An open mind and positive attitude
Proficiency in math and science
Technical skills
Motivation to continue learning
Knowledge of business strategies and management
practices
Computer literacy
Understanding of world affairs and cultures
 Engineer is a problem solver
Engineers must analyze and solve a wide range of technical problems.
Some will be reasonably simple single-solution problems. Others will be
open-ended and will likely require a team of experts from several
disciplines. Some problems may have no clear solution.

Problem soving includes: EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, PROCESS, ART

E.g. Computer Assisted Problem Solving (Computers are good tools for
solving rule-based problems using decision rules)
 The Engineering Method

Recognize and understand the problem

Gather data (and verify its accuracy)
Select guiding theories and principles
Make assumptions when necessary
Solve the problem
Verify the results
Present the solution
 Types of Engineering Problems
Create a new product
Invention/Conceptualization
E.g. 30 GHz digital oscilloscope
New modified design of existing product
Reduce cost (faster, cheaper, better)
E.g. Industrial automation
Develop or change a procedure
E.g. Warehouse inventory: Instead of having 3-months
inventory go for just in time (JIT)
Improve life
E.g. cruise control, moving sidewalks, diagnostic tools
 Steps in Problem Solving
Identify the problem
You cannot fix it if you dont know what is broken
Determine what is required for the solution
What is known?
What is unknown?
Any restrictions or limitations?
Any special cases?
Develop a step-by-step plan.
How are you going to fix it?
 Steps in Problem Solving (Contd)
Outline the solution in a logic diagram.
Execute the plan.
Keep track of what works and what doesnt.
Analyze the solution.
Revise the plan and re-execute as needed.
Keep the good parts of the plan and alter the not-so-
good ones.
Report/Document the result.
Let your Professor/Boss know how your idea worked
( in a written report ).
 Invention From Failure
The Story of the Bevarage Can
PROBLEM: Keep food from spoiling

SOLUTION: In 1809 chef Nicolas Appert invented a

process for preserving food in glass jars by placing
them in boiling water to kill bacteria. He was
awarded 12 000 francs by the French government.
In 1810 Appert wrote a book Lart de Conserver
(very successful and profitable).
The Story of the Bevarage Can (Contd)
PROBLEM: Bottles break easily.
SOLUTION: Peter Durand (London) devised a sealed
tin container.
PROBLEM: How to open the tin.
Soldiers used knives, bayonets, and even rifle fire. A tin
of roast veal carried on one of William Parrys Arctic
expeditions bore the instruction, Cut round on the top
near the outer edge with a chisel and hammer. The
can (iron) was .2 thick and weighed 0.45kg (empty).
The Story of the Bevarage Can (Contd)
SOLUTION(S):
1. Use steel (stronger and thinner).
2. Create specialized tools for opening cans
1858 Ezra Warner (Connecticut) got a patent for a can
opener that was described as Part bayonet, part sickle
[with a] large curved blade.
1870 William Lyman (Connecticut) patented a can
opener with a wheel that revolved around a center hole
punched in the can.
The Story of the Bevarage Can (Contd)
PROBLEM: Lymans can opener had to be adjusted
for each can size and the punching of the center hole
had to be exact.

SOLUTION: Modern style can opener was patented

in 1925. There is still room for improvement.
The Story of the Bevarage Can (Contd)
PROBLEM: Thin cans lacked stiffness and buckled.

SOLUTION(S):
1. Add a rim at top and bottom.
2. Corrugate the sides.
The Story of the Bevarage Can (Contd)
PROBLEM: Beverage cans opened with can openers
had jagged edges and too big an opening.
SOLUTION: The Church Key can opener.

PROBLEM: It kept getting lost or you didnt have it

with you when you needed it.
SOLUTION: Cans with discardable pull tabs, called
pop tops.
The Story of the Bevarage Can (Contd)
PROBLEM: What to do with pull tabs after removal?
Discard them? Littering
Make chains? Artistic
Drop them in the can? Dangerous
SOLUTION: Pop tops that stay attached to the can.
PROBLEM: Some people with long finger nails or
weak, arthritic fingers cannot open them.
AND SO ON, AND ON, AND ON, AND ...
 Problem Solving Example
Problem: Fill a bottle with stones

Instructions:
Document any assumptions that may be required
Write a step-by-step procedure for solving the
problem
 Problem Solving Example
Assumptions:

Bottle is present

 Problem Solving Example

Assumptions:

Bottle is present
Stones are present
There are enough stones to fill bottle
Bottle is empty (or at least not full)
Some (or all) stones fit through opening
 Problem Solving Example
Algorithm:
1. Set bottle upright near stones
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
 Problem Solving Example
Algorithm:
1. Set bottle upright near stones
2. Check to see if bottle is full. If so, then go to Step #6
3. Pick up a stone and try to put it in bottle
4. If stone too large to fit, discard stone, and go to Step
#3
5. Otherwise, the stone fits, go to Step #2
6. Stop
 Assignment-1
You have been asked to write an algorithm for a recycling machine that
automatically sorts glass and plastic bottles, and pays back 1TL per 3
glass bottles of any size, 1TL per 5 plastic bottles of any size.
Waste is discarded if it is not glass or plastic.
The machine can only pay 1TL coins.
If the machine runs out of money, no coins will be dispensed.
Document any assumptions you make!

Assignments are due Wednesdays 23:59. You should

submit them at itslearning.
 Acknowledgment
Some slides adapted from the course What is
Engineering? offered at Johns Hopkins University.