Understanding Automotive Electronics

Understanding Automotive Electronics 6th Edition by William B. Ribbens covers the most recent technological advances in operation and troubleshooting of electronic systems and components. This is a practical text, suitable for the automotive technician, student or enthusiast. It includes low-emission standards, on-board diagnostics and communications, digital instrumentation, and digital engine control.
In addition, the new edition explains new electronically controlled vehicle motion control systems including advanced suspension, electronically controlled electric power steering, 4-wheel steering and electronically controlled electric brakes. The braking systems are part of an integrated motion control system that couples ABS brakes; traction control and variable vehicle dynamics for enhanced stability are also described. The development of hybrid/electric vehicles and their associated electronic control/monitoring systems as well as the new technologies incorporated into conventional gasoline and diesel-fueled engines are also discussed.
There are 11 chapters and over 450 pages illustrated with diagrams, circuits and performance graphs, but very few photographs of the electronics. The chapters step the reader through fundamentals of combustion, controls, engine and motion control and diagnostics. After each chapter there is a multiple choice quiz relating to the chapter. You will have to read the text in detail to answer the questions, not speed-read. It's an interesting textbook and ideal for education in the topic. I found it to be easy to read and informative. The book shows how the electronics works to improve the safety and performance of the automobile. There is little coverage on the type of componentry, wiring or reliability of different forms of assembly, so the book is only of interest to manufacturing engineers if they want to understand the reasons behind the circuits built into automobiles. Instead there are quite a few block diagrams, equations, snippets of assembly language code, and even explanations of more elementary electronic devices and systems that will probably be most interesting to the electrical engineer who is interested in how electronics controls the modern automobile.
Book Details
  • Paperback: 295 pages
  • Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers Inc; 6 edition (January 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 076801221X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0768012217
  • Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.9 inches
  • List Price: $39.95

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