📖 Overview
Robert A. Pease (1940-2011) was an analog integrated circuit design expert and author who worked extensively in the field of electronic engineering. He was particularly known for his contributions to analog circuit design and his regular columns in Electronic Design magazine.
During his career at National Semiconductor, Pease designed numerous influential analog ICs including the LM331 voltage-to-frequency converter and the LM337 negative voltage regulator. His technical expertise was complemented by his ability to communicate complex engineering concepts through his writing, which included several books and hundreds of articles.
His most well-known book, "Troubleshooting Analog Circuits," became a standard reference text in the field. Pease was also recognized for his distinctive writing style in his column "Pease Porridge," which ran for over 30 years and addressed practical engineering problems with a mix of technical depth and real-world application.
Beyond his technical contributions, Pease was known for challenging conventional wisdom in engineering and encouraging critical thinking among fellow engineers. His work continues to influence analog circuit design and engineering education.
👀 Reviews
Engineering professionals and students praise Pease's clear explanations of complex analog concepts, particularly in "Troubleshooting Analog Circuits." Readers highlight his practical approach and inclusion of real-world examples.
What readers liked:
- Direct, conversational writing style
- Detailed troubleshooting methods
- Hand-drawn illustrations that clarify concepts
- Humor integrated into technical explanations
- Focus on practical problem-solving
What readers disliked:
- Some dated references and components
- Occasional tangential stories
- Print quality of diagrams in newer editions
- Limited coverage of digital circuits
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.7/5 (187 reviews)
Goodreads: 4.3/5 (89 ratings)
One reader noted: "Pease writes like he's having a conversation with you at your bench." Another commented: "His real-world examples saved me countless hours of debugging."
Many electronics forums and professional review sites reference his work as a go-to resource for analog circuit design and troubleshooting.
📚 Books by Robert Pease
How to Drive Into Accidents - And How Not To
Analysis of common driving errors and their prevention, based on the author's engineering background and accident investigation experience.
Troubleshooting Analog Circuits Technical guide covering methods for identifying and solving problems in analog electronic circuits.
Technical Articles Collection Compilation of Pease's engineering columns and articles from Electronic Design magazine spanning several decades.
How to Get the Most From Your Test Equipment Practical instructions for using and maximizing the effectiveness of electronic testing and measurement devices.
Understand Electrical and Electronics Maths Reference text explaining mathematical concepts and calculations specifically relevant to electrical engineering.
The Design of Band-Gap Reference Circuits Specialized technical manual focused on the creation and implementation of voltage reference circuits.
Troubleshooting Analog Circuits Technical guide covering methods for identifying and solving problems in analog electronic circuits.
Technical Articles Collection Compilation of Pease's engineering columns and articles from Electronic Design magazine spanning several decades.
How to Get the Most From Your Test Equipment Practical instructions for using and maximizing the effectiveness of electronic testing and measurement devices.
Understand Electrical and Electronics Maths Reference text explaining mathematical concepts and calculations specifically relevant to electrical engineering.
The Design of Band-Gap Reference Circuits Specialized technical manual focused on the creation and implementation of voltage reference circuits.
👥 Similar authors
Jim Williams wrote extensively about analog circuit design and troubleshooting techniques through practical examples. His books contain detailed explanations of electronic problems and solutions based on his decades of experience as an engineer.
Forrest Mims III created engineering notebooks and guides focused on hands-on electronics projects and experiments. His hand-drawn circuit diagrams and clear explanations make complex concepts accessible to hobbyists and students.
Paul Horowitz co-authored fundamental texts on electronic design and testing methods used in university courses. His work covers both theory and practical implementation of circuits with an emphasis on measurement and debugging.
Jack Ganssle writes about embedded systems development and engineering best practices from an industry perspective. His books address both technical concepts and project management challenges in electronic design.
Douglas Self focuses on audio electronics design and analysis through detailed circuit explanations. His books examine amplifier topologies and audio system architecture while addressing common design problems.
Forrest Mims III created engineering notebooks and guides focused on hands-on electronics projects and experiments. His hand-drawn circuit diagrams and clear explanations make complex concepts accessible to hobbyists and students.
Paul Horowitz co-authored fundamental texts on electronic design and testing methods used in university courses. His work covers both theory and practical implementation of circuits with an emphasis on measurement and debugging.
Jack Ganssle writes about embedded systems development and engineering best practices from an industry perspective. His books address both technical concepts and project management challenges in electronic design.
Douglas Self focuses on audio electronics design and analysis through detailed circuit explanations. His books examine amplifier topologies and audio system architecture while addressing common design problems.