Career in Electronics and Communication Engineering

Before mobile phones and internet came into existence, the mode of communication had been via messengers. Messengers existed in different forms pigeons, people, smoke signals etc.

Coming to 21st century and you would find people using all kinds of wireless devices to communicate. So, ever wondered how your 12.9mm cell phone catches signals at the remotest areas. Well, it’s all the work of communication engineers.

What is Electronics & Communication Engineering?

Society relies on Electronics & Communication Engineering for breakthroughs in applications such as satellites, next generation mobile phones, air-traffic control, the Internet etc.

Communication systems are designed by communication engineers. Early inventors in the field include Elisha Gray, Guglielmo Marconi and John Logie Baird. In recent times, optical fibre has radically improved the bandwidth available for intercontinental communication, facilitating a faster and richer Internet experience. And, digital television has eliminated effects such as snowy pictures and ghosting. Communication remains an important part of world economy. The industry’s revenue is placed at just under 3 percent of the gross world product.

What are Functions of Electronics & Communication Engineer?

Typically, an Electronics & Communication Engineer will perform following work:

• Manage engineering team

• Design the communications equipment including modems, switches, routers and radio links

• Develop real-time computer systems, including embedded computer systems and their software.

• Build and test prototypes of new equipment including integrated circuit components.

• Predict communication systems performance

• Optimize the performance of communications systems

• Provide technical support to marketing or customer service staff and communications technicians.

• Train technical and engineering staff for new system installed.

• Supervise special research projects on next generation communication systems.

What to study in Electronics & Communication Engineering?

At the initial level, students concentrate on core units for electrical engineering: mathematics, physics, electrical and computer systems engineering, digital logic systems, computer organization and programming.

Later on the study includes communications, information transmission, electromagnetic theory, signals and systems, electronics and control systems, engineering management, communications electives and group and individual projects. 

Throughout the course, students choose from a range of electives, including Image Processing, Data Compression and Encryption, Radar Engineering, Microwave Integrated Circuits, Simulation of Communications Systems, Optical Networks, Wireless Networks, Internet Communication Engineering, Microwave Amplifiers and Oscillator Design, Communication Network Management.

They learn about the planning and design, commissioning, performance monitoring, optimization and management of both small scale and complex communications systems.

Career in Electronics and Communication Engineering

Employment opportunities for Electronics and Communication Engineers are growing rapidly. The list of employers includes manufacturers of radio, television, audio/visual, broadcasting and receiving equipments, hardware and associated software including computer systems, interfaces, security devices, data concentration, data transmission, signaling, satellite and radio communications and telephone equipment. Graduate also work in service organizations that provide broadcasting, consulting, data communications, entertainment, custom manufacturing, research and development, and system support.

Multimedia services are establishing employment opportunities not dreamed of years ago, for example video conferencing, interactive video on demand, internet broadcasting of conferences and training programmes and the real-time transfer of vast amounts of information.

Companies around the world are competing to be the first to market products such as digital mobile phones and network components that support the full range of Internet services into compact integrated circuit chip sets. Specialised terminal equipment will become available for new and innovative applications, including telepresence and shared virtual-reality worlds, with almost all existing communication network equipment being improved or replaced with exciting new technologies. 

Communication has be acknowledged as a vital ingredient for technology growing in leaps and bounds. Electronics and Communication Engineers are much in demand, as a nation’s hopes of development rests on their shoulders.