
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
The main goal of this chapter is to impart knowledge about the signals. Readers will be able
to discuss the following aspects:
• Brief history of electronics, integrated circuits (ICs) and computers
• Analog signal, waveforms and denitions, instantaneous, average and RMS quantities
• Digital systems and signals
• Logic levels and pulse waveforms
• Advantages, limitations and future of digital electronics
• Purpose of memory
• Basic components of a computer
1.1 | HISTORY OF DIGITAL ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS
The term ‘electronics’ has been coined from electron—the key particle of an atom. The rate
of ow of electrons through a conductor ...