This book is directed toward the engineer interested in obtaining an integrated understanding of the design  of “smart” microcomputer-based instruments and devices.

An effective digital designer requires at least three distinct capabilities. First, the designer must have a fundamental understanding of available components. Second, the designer must thoroughly understand the algorithmic processes required by each aspect of the design and be able to translate this into the language of the microcomputer. Third, the designer must understand how the extensive requirements of an instrument or device can be broken down into manageable parts.

This book attempts to organize and unify the development of these three capabilities: to understand and use components, to exploit powerful algorithmic process, and to realize an affective organization of hardware and software so as to meet the specifications for an instrument or devices.

From another point of view, this book directed toward a specific goal of the engineering studies-the development of creative design capability.

The contents of this book are : The role of the microcomputer; Microcomputer registers and data manipulation; Microcomputer hardware; Memory; Input-output; Hardware and software development; Algorithmics processes.