Theoretical electrical engineering
The field of theoretical electrical engineering deals with the theoretical basics and their application in the field of electrical engineering . It primarily uses the methods and descriptions of mathematics and physics with the aim of being able to draw conclusions about general cases through a systematic compilation of observed relationships and thus to solve new, technically motivated problems.
General
In principle, every technical problem can be solved by trial and error. These empirical methods are often used in the early days of a new technology, as was the case in the early days of electrical engineering in the mid-19th century. The empirical solution of a task, however, requires a great deal of effort and a lot of time - especially in the case of more complex tasks. Both can be reduced the more precisely the underlying relationships, modes of action and laws are known. In the context of a model, the theory represents a summary of the experience originally gained through observation and its relationships in an abstract way, in order to be able to transfer it universally and efficiently to as many applications as possible.
In the field of theoretical electrical engineering, there is great overlap with sub-areas of physics (such as electrodynamics ) and the methods of mathematics (e.g. vector analysis ). It is therefore not an independent structure , but represents a section, the limits of which are motivated by the technical applications.
Areas
Field theory
In the field of field theory , theoretical electrical engineering deals with the flow field of the electric current , with the electric and magnetic field , the relationships between which are reflected in Maxwell's equations and in the area of interaction with matter .
Areas like electrostatics deal with static electrical charges and charge distributions . In addition to magnetostatics and magnetic fluxes, electrodynamics deals with processes that change over time, such as electromagnetic waves , which permanently link electrical and magnetic fields that change over time.
Field calculations play a central role, which can be solved analytically for simple geometries, for example in the Biot-Savart law . Use is made of vector analysis. Numerical field calculations with the finite element method are used for complex tasks .
Systems theory
In the field of systems theory , electrical engineering theory deals with line theory , which describes, among other things, the propagation behavior of electrical signals along electrical lines. The connected circuit theory describes electrical circuits with the help of abstraction in the context of multipoles and network models .
Linear time-invariant systems play an essential role in the modeling and its simplification , since with these systems both the superposition of signals applies and any time shifts do not affect the relationship between output and input signals. Various complex differential equation models and transformations such as the Fourier and Laplace transformation are used to investigate the system.
The basics from the field of electronics , which is part of solid-state physics in relation to semiconductors , are used to explain electronic components (such as transistors or the emission of electrons in electron tubes ).
Subject
Theoretical electrical engineering (mostly abbreviated as TET ) is offered as a separate course at many technical universities and technical colleges in connection with the study of electrical engineering . Since it teaches the basics of electrical engineering, it is typically taught within the first semester. In particular, field theory and electrodynamics are among the more difficult exams in the course due to the level of abstraction and the need for understanding.
literature
- Karl Küpfmüller, Wolfgang Mathis, Albrecht Reibiger: Theoretical Electrical Engineering - An Introduction . 18th edition. Springer, 2008, ISBN 978-3-540-78589-7 .
- P. Leuchtmann: Introduction to the electromagnetic field theory . Pearson Studium, Munich 2005, ISBN 3-8273-7144-9 .
- Adolf J. Schwab: Conceptual world of field theory . Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2002, ISBN 3-540-42018-5 .
- G. Wunsch, H.-G. Schulz: Electromagnetic Fields . Verlag Technik, Berlin 1996, ISBN 3-341-01155-2 .
- K. Simonyi: Theoretical electrical engineering . JA Barth Verlag, Leipzig 1993.
- E. Philippow : Nonlinear Electrical Engineering . 2nd Edition. Academic publishing company Geest and Portig, Leipzig 1971.