Editing Electronics

[[File: Technical Data.jpg|right]]
[[Electronics]] are a gateway technology leading to [[computer]]s.
* They enable and make possible advanced, pre-intelligent machinery and [[device]]s.
* Later, more advanced versions and electronics create increasingly more advanced computers and other [[Information Technology]] [[device]]s. 

== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
Electronics comprises the physics, engineering, technology and applications that deal with the emission, flow and control of electrons in vacuum and matter. Electronics deals with electrical circuits that involve active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes, integrated circuits, optoelectronics, and sensors, associated passive electrical components, and interconnection technologies. Commonly, electronic devices contain circuitry consisting primarily or exclusively of active semiconductors supplemented with passive elements; such a circuit is described as an electronic circuit. 

An electronic component is any physical entity in an electronic system used to affect the electrons or their associated fields in a manner consistent with the intended function of the electronic system. Components are generally intended to be connected together, usually by being soldered to a printed circuit board (PCB), to create an electronic circuit with a particular function (for example an amplifier, radio receiver, or oscillator). Components may be packaged singly, or in more complex groups as integrated circuits. Some common electronic components are capacitors, inductors, resistors, diodes, transistors, etc. Components are often categorized as active (e.g. transistors and thyristors) or passive (e.g. resistors, diodes, inductors and capacitors).
 
=== Specialized Uses ===
Many kinds of specialized electronics exist including:
* [[Astronics]], specialized for interstellar navigational calculations and operation through the vacuum. Astronics are usually implemented in the form of an [[Astrogation Computer]],  often simply called a navigation computer. 
* [[Avionics]], specialized for aircraft operation within a gaseous atmosphere. Avionics are usually implemented in the form of a [[Flight Computer]].

=== Moore's Law ===
Moore's law is the observation that the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit doubles about every two years. The observation is named after Gordon Moore, an ancient Terran human, who wrote paper described a doubling every year in the number of components per integrated circuit and projected this rate of growth would continue for at least another decade. Moore's prediction proved accurate for several decades and was once used in the semiconductor industry to guide long-term planning and to set targets for research and development. Advancements in [[TL:7-9]] digital electronics were once strongly linked to Moore's law. Moore's law describes a driving force of technological and social change, productivity, and economic growth. Moore's law is an observation and projection of a historical trend and not a physical or natural law. 

Eventually, manufacturing paradigms for electronics technology changed the law which no longer held true. Advanced [[biotech]], [[nanotech]], and [[makertech]] changed the nature of electronics.

== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
[[Information Technology]], [[computer]]s, and [[electronics]] are foundational technologies for [[Charted Space]]. [[Technologist]]s and [[Educational Institute]] officers generally group these developments into [[technological epoch]]s and [[Tech Period|period]]s. 

=== Technological Overview of Electronics ===
* [[Analogue Electronics]] → [[Macroelectronics]] ([[Conventional Electronics]]) → [[Microelectronics]] → [[Optoelectronics]] → [[Myelotronics]] → [[Claytronics]] → [[Nanotronics]] → [[Fuzzy Electronics]] → [[Atomtronics]] → [[Pyschotronics]]

''Electronics Generations:''
# [[Analogue Electronics]] ([[TL:4-6]])
# [[Macroelectronics]] ([[TL:4-6]]) ([[Conventional Electronics]] or [[Digital Electronics]]) 
# [[Microelectronics]] ([[TL:7-9]])
# [[Optoelectronics]] ([[TL:10-12]])
# [[Myelotronics]] ([[TL:13-15]])
# [[Claytronics]] ([[TL:16-18]])
# [[Nanotronics]] ([[TL:19-21]])
# [[Fuzzy Electronics]] ([[TL:19-21]])
# [[Atomtronics]] ([[TL:22-24]])
# [[Pyschotronics]] ([[TL:25-27]])

=== Technological Stages of Electronic Development ===
==== Calculative Period ====
''[[TL:7-9]]:'' <br>
Workable electronics generally become widely available in the [[TL:7-9]] epoch. Very limited [[electronics]] and simple circuits may become available earlier, but are rarely able to mainstream into consumer and military [[good]]s.

==== Bright Period ====
''[[TL:10-12]]:'' <br>
The [[computer]]s of this area revolutionize society allowing smart devices, intelligent city controllers, and mainstreamed interstellar travel: [[Jumpliner]]s.

''[[TL:13-15]]:'' <br>
Cutting edge [[electronics]] at the [[TL:13-15]] are often unrecognizable to earlier peoples. They often make use of subatomic microelectronic components, dedicated [[nanotechnology]], or even organic components or [[biotech]]. Many scientists and futorologists assume that the trend of paradigmatic change will hold and the future kinds of [[electronics]] in advanced [[artifact]]s may be near unrecognizable to [[TL:13-15]] [[societies]]. 

''[[TL:16-18]]:'' <br>
Current research into the [[Hop Drive]] will undoubtedly yield new kinds of [[Ship's Computer]]s and vastly improved capabilities for [[FTL]] transportation. Current technologists and futurists are anticipating a paradigm change. 

==== Brilliant Period ====
''[[TL:19-27]]:'' <br>
Some Imperial scientists have quietly made the observation that [[Psionics|psionic science]] may underlay future societal and technological developments. True [[Artificial Intelligence]] is another widely anticipated factor.

==== Beyond Brilliance ====
''[[TL:28-30]]:'' <br>
No information yet available.

''[[TL:31-33]]:'' <br>
No information yet available.

== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
{{Wikipedia|Electronics}}
{{Wikipedia|Moore's law}}
{{Intermediate}}
{{Sources
|S1= TBD
|S2= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
|S3= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]] 
}}


[[Category: Information Technology]]
{{LEN|Computer|Device|Electronics|Good|}}