Practical Engineering: The Importance of Reading

Introduction

Some individuals may think that learning stops when the formal courses are completed. In engineering (i.e., electrical, compliance, EMC, and signal integrity engineering), this is far from the truth.

Engineering is complex and constantly evolving. Electrical engineers are at the forefront of some of today’s most important innovations. Examples are component die-shrinks that result in faster rise-times and greater bandwidths of signals, Internet of Things (IoT) and incorporation of wireless into almost everything, 5G, faster signal processing, wireless wearable technology, high-efficiency photovoltaic cells, green energy electrical power converters, smart electrical grids, virtual reality, eye tracking technology, and self-driving cars – just to name a few of the recent innovations!

Keeping Up

In order to keep up with this ever-changing landscape, it’s imperative that we’re also constantly reading. Not only do we need to know about these new innovations, but also how to design innovative products with good signal integrity, EMC, safety, mechanical, and environmental performance. Right about now, you may be asking yourself, “Yeah, but how do I keep up with all these changes, work regular engineering hours, plus get really good at EMC or signal integrity or safety, etc.?”

Suggestions

If you’re in engineering, then you are probably already working 40 to 50 hours per work (perhaps more). Reading while you’re at work may or may not be an option for whatever reason. If this is the case, what you can do is pick a time during the day where you can devote at least 30 to 60 minutes to uninterrupted reading. For some, early morning before work is ideal. For others it might be in the middle of the day, perhaps during their lunch hour. For others it may be at night after work before bed. You’ll have to decide for yourself which reading time is best for you. Just pick a time and make reading a habit. This one habit, that really doesn’t take too much time, will really make a difference for you and your career.

Next, focus on an area you interested in. Perhaps it’s EMC, signal integrity, or product safety. Based on your specific area of interest, develop a list of books or other material (application notes, etc.) geared towards that subject. From this list of reading material, pick out the top items that you think will result in the greatest knowledge gained. From there, just make it a daily habit to read the material you’ve chosen. Once you read the material you’ve designed as a top priority, move onto the middle priority stuff. Keep doing this until you have read everything on your list and before you know it, you’re now the expert in that area.

Example

If you’re interested in EMC and signal integrity, you could develop a list of books like the one found at the end of this article. This one uses an alphabetical order using the author’s last name. If I was new to EMC and signal integrity, I’d pick the books which explained things in a more practical, less math intensive way before attempting to read the highly theoretical stuff.

From research you conducted on the internet you determine that items 23 (Bogatin) or 25 (Johnson, Graham) concerning signal integrity and item 18 (Ott) covering EMC are probably the most practical books available on these two subjects. Pick one and start reading it. When you’re done with that book, pick another and then keep going.

That’s about all there is to it. Time to get reading…

Recommended EMC / Signal Integrity Books