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How much Electronics Knowledge

Hi all,

I have been a computer programmer for the past 16 years of my life. Mostly, I have done database type of work. I am now working as an automation engineer designing PLC ladder logic applications, firmware for the PIC microcontrollers, and HMI/SCADA applications.

Here is my question. Even though I have been doing electronics programming for the past 5 years, I don't know a whole lot about electronics. I basically only know atomic-theory and how to read/write schematics and datasheets. How much do I really need to know, theoretically, to be able to go to another company doing firmware? I do have a degree but it is Computer Network Administration. Should I concentrate my efforts in one field, thereby "pigeon-holing" myself, or should I concentrate on a more "general" knowledge. I am no stranger to doing research and very much enjoy it. However, I do not want to really be a design engineer so to speak.

Any help, advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Phil

Reply to
Phil
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On 25 Feb 2005 07:19:21 -0800 in sci.electronics.basics, "Phil" wrote msg :

I agree with Bob. (I misread your post at first, thought you said you "really do want" to be a design engineer, in which case an EE is essential.) Hang around with the firmware people at the place you want to go, if you know them. You're already doing firmware and logic programming, so you may already meet their qualifications. If not, you can find out what they want.

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Reply to
Kitchen Man

Thanks to both of you for your suggestions. I was originally hired at my current company to do the VB programming to communicate with PLCs in projects that currently existed. However, my supervisor taught me a lot about PLCs and PICs. Since he left, I have been maintaining old firmware and creating new firmware. The programming is done mostly in Assembly and Ladder Logic, which is the easy part.

I do appreciate the comments and will continue to learn electronics, taking a more "generalist" approach.

Reply to
Phil

It kind of depends on what jobs and opportunities are available in your field. It sounds like you have already wandered away from your original field of IT or computer admin. towards microprocessor programming. Needless to say you don't need to know electronics to do either. However, the closer you are to the circuitry as you are working with PICs the more you may be expected to know about the underlying electronics. I feel that a generalist has more opportunities than a specialist but the specialist may get the better job if that job is available. A generalist can do anything even sweep the floor if needed and therfore will probably keep a job when his work is shipped to India. The more you know the better and the more chances you have of finding work you can do, especially the way thing are changing these days. On the other hand, becoming a degreed engineer is a long road to hoe and may not pay off given the way things are changing. If I were you I would try to learn some electronics so I could converse intelligently about how thw PIC's an other circuits are hooked up but I probably would not go all the way into Engineering. Bob

Reply to
Bob Eldred

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