In this blog post, we will look at the link between the “invisible beauty” that Steve Jobs emphasized and electrical and information engineering.
Before explaining electrical and information engineering, I would like to talk about the Mac computers of Apple, the epitome of innovation. Generally, the perception of the Mac is that it is a relatively sophisticated and beautiful computer with curved lines. However, the true appeal of the Mac is not simply in its appearance. Apple’s products have always sought to achieve the perfect harmony of design and performance. Behind this is the philosophy that even the parts that are not visible to consumers should be beautiful. This philosophy was also well reflected in the development process of the Mac. The Mac’s development team said this about the internal circuitry of the Mac: “The true beauty of the Mac lies not in its appearance, but in its interior.” This is well described in the anecdote of “Steve Jobs.”
When an engineer completed the internal circuitry of the Mac, Steve Jobs, who saw it, said that the circuit was not beautiful and told him to redesign it. The engineer argued that the inside of the Mac is not seen by customers. Then Steve Jobs said, “I saw it!” What is the internal circuit mentioned in this anecdote, and what was the beautiful circuit that Steve Jobs wanted? The answer lies in electrical and computer engineering.
The common circuit we know is a switch with a wire with crocodile clips connected to a battery and a light bulb. However, such a circuit is not contained in a slim computer like Mac. Instead of a switch and a light bulb, there are numerous semiconductor chips. Still, the principle of operation of the internal circuitry that goes into the Mac is as simple as pressing a switch to turn a light bulb on and off, just like the circuits we are familiar with. However, hundreds of millions of components that are so small and fine that they are invisible are connected by wires less than a millimeter long and are mounted on a very thin green board. Each component sends and receives signals and outputs certain results. For example, when you press a key on the keyboard, the computer displays the letters on the monitor screen.
Let’s take a moment to discuss the importance of semiconductor chips and boards. Semiconductor chips can be called the brain of a computer, and these chips come together to demonstrate powerful computing capabilities. The substrate acts as a blood vessel connecting these semiconductor chips together. If the semiconductor chips are the brain, the substrate is like a neural network. For the neural network to function properly, each nerve must be connected correctly, and each conductor on the substrate must be connected accurately.
However, in order for the components to produce the desired results, they must be translated so that they can understand each other. When translating, you must not translate Korean into English, but into a mass of numbers 0 and 1. This is because each part of a computer does not know anything other than 0 and 1. Therefore, you must translate into a new language consisting of 0 and 1. However, if the translated text is delivered to a different part than the one it was originally intended for, the computer will produce an incorrect result. Therefore, the connection of the wires through which the translated text is delivered must be accurate.
In addition, if the connection between the parts is incorrect, it is not just the output result that is strange. Sometimes, even if there is no problem on the surface, the circuit is wrong and the computer may catch fire. This happens especially when two points with different voltages are connected only by wires. For example, if the conductor of a circuit connects two points, the resistance of the conductor between them will be very small, about 1 ohm. However, if a voltage of 0 V and 9 V is applied to each end of the conductor, the current flowing through the conductor will be 9 A according to Ohm’s law. If 5A is applied to an 8mm-thick wire, sparks will begin to fly from the weakened connection. The example value is 5A, but 9A is enough to cause a fire in the thin wires inside a computer.
In addition, circuits that are only connected properly and overlook the laws of physics can cause the conductors to melt. For example, if too much current flows through a thin conductor, the internal components will melt due to heat. This is not just a matter of heat. If the circuit is damaged in this way, the life of the computer will also be drastically reduced. Another important role of electrical and computer engineering is to ensure that the computers we use are designed to last. In fact, many early failures are caused by faulty design. Engineers must analyze the data sheets of each component, which contain data and diagrams related to the current and voltage, to predict the amount of current that will flow due to an overload, and then apply mathematical formulas and physical laws to obtain the result.
There are many things to think about to complete a single circuit. All the processes from circuit design to verification and modification are important. That is why, once a circuit is created, several people conduct multiple verifications of the circuit. While being verified, the circuit may be modified. However, if the circuit is so complicated that only the creator can recognize the location of the parts and the wires are arranged in a winding manner, problems may arise. This is because it is difficult for others to know where to fix this circuit and it is also difficult to come up with a plan on how to fix it. This is where the beauty of the circuit is determined. No matter how complex the circuit, a well-made circuit should allow even a person who sees the circuit for the first time to understand at a glance where and how everything is connected. This is not just a matter of aesthetics. A clear and easy-to-understand design increases the efficiency of collaboration and plays a crucial role in reducing errors.
In other words, the beautiful circuit that Steve Jobs wanted was not only one that did not malfunction or catch fire, but also one that engineers could recognize the connections of the circuit at a glance, allowing them to collaborate with others. The job of electrical and information engineering is to design and solve problems that arise in circuits to create such beautiful circuits.
Engineers majoring in electrical and information engineering wrestle with circuits day and night. They sometimes win the battle, and sometimes suffer a crushing defeat. Even after winning the battle with circuits, they must go through a tremendous amount of theoretical calculations and verification experiments. If the battle with circuits is the first half, there are several second halves with other problems such as communication and displays. In this process, engineers sometimes experience setbacks and discover new challenges. Nevertheless, if you keep going without giving up, you will eventually find a beautiful result like Mac in the field of electrical and computer engineering.
