Computer_engineering
Computer_engineering
Computer engineering usually deals with areas including writing software and firmware for embedded
microcontrollers, designing VLSI chips, analog sensors, mixed signal circuit boards, Thermodynamics
and Control systems. Computer engineers are also suited for robotics research, which relies heavily on
using digital systems to control and monitor electrical systems like motors, communications, and sensors.
In many institutions of higher learning, computer engineering students are allowed to choose areas of in-
depth study in their junior and senior years because the full breadth of knowledge used in the design and
application of computers is beyond the scope of an undergraduate degree. Other institutions may require
engineering students to complete one or two years of general engineering before declaring computer
engineering as their primary focus.[3][4][5][6]
History
Computer engineering began in 1939 when John Vincent
Atanasoff and Clifford Berry began developing the world's first
electronic digital computer through physics, mathematics, and
electrical engineering. John Vincent Atanasoff was once a physics
and mathematics teacher for Iowa State University and Clifford
Berry a former graduate under electrical engineering and physics.
Together, they created the Atanasoff-Berry computer, also known
as the ABC which took five years to complete.[7] While the
original ABC was dismantled and discarded in the 1940s, a tribute
was made to the late inventors; a replica of the ABC was made in
1997, where it took a team of researchers and engineers four years
and $350,000 to build.[8]
This computer motherboard used in
The modern personal computer emerged in the 1970s, after several
a personal computer is the result of
breakthroughs in semiconductor technology. These include the
computer engineering efforts.
first working transistor by William Shockley, John Bardeen and
Walter Brattain at Bell Labs in 1947,[9] in 1955, silicon dioxide
surface passivation by Carl Frosch and Lincoln Derick,[10] the first
planar silicon dioxide transistors by Frosch and Derick in 1957,[11]
planar process by Jean Hoerni,[12][13][14] the monolithic integrated
circuit chip by Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor in
1959,[15] the metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor
(MOSFET, or MOS transistor) demonstrated by a team at Bell
Labs in 1960[16] and the single-chip microprocessor (Intel 4004)
by Federico Faggin, Marcian Hoff, Masatoshi Shima and Stanley
The Difference Engine, the first
Mazor at Intel in 1971.[17]
mechanical computer
Education
Computer engineering is referred to as computer science and engineering at some universities. Most
entry-level computer engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering,
electrical engineering or computer science. Typically one must learn an array of mathematics such as
calculus, linear algebra and differential equations, along with computer science.[20] Degrees in electronic
or electric engineering also suffice due to the similarity of the two fields. Because hardware engineers
commonly work with computer software systems, a strong background in computer programming is
necessary. According to BLS, "a computer engineering major is similar to electrical engineering but with
some computer science courses added to the curriculum".[21] Some large firms or specialized jobs require
a master's degree.
It is also important for computer engineers to keep up with rapid advances in technology. Therefore,
many continue learning throughout their careers. This can be helpful, especially when it comes to
learning new skills or improving existing ones. For example, as the relative cost of fixing a bug increases
the further along it is in the software development cycle, there can be greater cost savings attributed to
developing and testing for quality code as soon as possible in the process, particularly before release.[22]
Professions
A person with a profession in computer engineering is called a computer engineer.
Specialty areas
There are many specialty areas in the field of computer engineering.
Processor design
Processor design process involves choosing an instruction set and a certain execution paradigm (e.g.
VLIW or RISC) and results in a microarchitecture, which might be described in e.g. VHDL or Verilog.
CPU design is divided into design of the following components: datapaths (such as ALUs and pipelines),
control unit: logic which controls the datapaths, memory components such as register files, caches, clock
circuitry such as clock drivers, PLLs, clock distribution networks, pad transceiver circuitry, logic gate cell
library which is used to implement the logic.
Embedded systems
Individuals working in this area design technology for enhancing
the speed, reliability, and performance of systems. Embedded
systems are found in many devices from a small FM radio to the
space shuttle. According to the Sloan Cornerstone Career Center,
ongoing developments in embedded systems include "automated
vehicles and equipment to conduct search and rescue, automated
transportation systems, and human-robot coordination to repair
equipment in space."[38] As of 2018, computer embedded systems Examples of devices that use
specializations include system-on-chip design, the architecture of embedded systems
edge computing and the Internet of things.
Quantum computing
This area integrates the quantum behaviour of small particles such as superposition, interference and
entanglement, with classical computers to solve complex problems and formulate algorithms much more
efficiently. Individuals focus on fields like Quantum cryptography, physical simulations and quantum
algorithms.
See also
Related fields
Electrical engineering
Electronic engineering
Computer science
Computer science and engineering
Computer programming
Software development
Computer network
Associations
IEEE Computer Society
Association for Computing Machinery
References
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External links
Media related to Computer engineering at Wikimedia Commons