What are the Engineering Branches that has been emerged from Electrical Engineering? | Q & A

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Simple Engineer
I know there 4 are considered as Core Engineering fields 1. Mechanical Engineering 2. Electrical Engineering 3. Civil Engineering 4. Chemical Engineering


but i Want to know which are the engineering field that has been emerged with the help of Electrical Engineering field.

The Forum post is edited by Simple Engineer Jul 9
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Nisarg Desai
Nisarg Desai Jul 5

Electrical engineering has given rise to many new engineering branches due to technological advancements, industry needs, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Here are some of the key branches that have emerged from electrical engineering, along with the events and developments that led to their creation:

1. Electronics Engineering
  • Microelectronics: Focuses on the design and fabrication of very small electronic circuits and components. The development of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits led to this specialization.
  • Nanoelectronics: Involves the use of nanotechnology in electronic components, leading to the creation of even smaller and more efficient devices.
2. Computer Engineering
  • Software Engineering: Emerged from the need to develop reliable and efficient software systems, focusing on software design, development, and maintenance.
  • Embedded Systems Engineering: Specializes in designing and programming small, dedicated computer systems within larger mechanical or electrical systems.
3. Telecommunications Engineering
  • Wireless Communication Engineering: Focuses on the design and implementation of wireless communication systems, including cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and satellite communications.
  • Optical Communication Engineering: Involves the use of light to transmit information, leading to advancements in fiber optics and laser communication systems.
4. Control Systems Engineering
  • Automation Engineering: Specializes in the design and development of automated systems for industrial processes, driven by the need for efficiency and precision in manufacturing.
  • Robotics Engineering: Focuses on designing and building robots, integrating principles of control systems, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
5. Power Engineering
  • Renewable Energy Engineering: Emerged due to the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions, focusing on solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources.
  • Smart Grid Engineering: Involves the development of intelligent electrical grids that use digital communication technology to manage electricity more efficiently.
6. Signal Processing Engineering
  • Audio Engineering: Specializes in the capture, recording, editing, and production of sound, including the development of audio equipment and software.
  • Image and Video Processing Engineering: Focuses on the manipulation and analysis of visual data, leading to advancements in areas like digital imaging, computer vision, and multimedia.
7. Instrumentation Engineering
  • Biomedical Instrumentation Engineering: Involves the design and development of medical devices and systems for diagnosing and treating diseases.
  • Industrial Instrumentation Engineering: Focuses on developing instruments and sensors used in industrial automation and control systems.
8. Electromagnetic Engineering
  • Microwave Engineering: Specializes in the study and application of microwave frequencies, used in communication systems, radar, and navigation.
  • Antenna Engineering: Focuses on the design and analysis of antennas for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves.
9. Photonics Engineering
  • Laser Engineering: Involves the design and application of laser systems in various fields, including telecommunications, medicine, and manufacturing.
  • Optoelectronics: Combines principles of electronics and optics to develop devices that convert electrical signals into optical signals and vice versa.
10. Cybersecurity Engineering
  • Network Security Engineering: Specializes in protecting computer networks from cyber threats, focusing on the design and implementation of secure network architectures.
  • Cryptographic Engineering: Involves the development and application of cryptographic algorithms to secure information and communications.
Examples of Applications
  • Biomedical Engineering: Electrical engineers contribute to the development of medical devices, such as MRI machines, pacemakers, and wearable health monitors.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) Engineering: Focuses on creating interconnected devices that communicate over the internet, involving sensor networks, data processing, and real-time control.
  • Quantum Computing Engineering: Emerged from advancements in quantum mechanics, focusing on developing computers that use quantum bits (qubits) for processing information.

These new branches of electrical engineering reflect the continuous evolution and specialization within the discipline, driven by technological progress, changing industry requirements, and the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Nisarg Desai
Nisarg Desai Jul 5

and yes this sub-field also have their sub-field as a part of specific problem solving as an engineering.


1. Electronics Engineering
  • Microelectronics
    • VLSI Design: Focuses on the design and development of very large-scale integrated circuits.
    • Semiconductor Device Engineering: Specializes in the creation and optimization of semiconductor devices.
  • Nano electronics
    • Molecular Electronics: Deals with electronic processes in molecular structures.
    • Quantum Electronics: Focuses on electronic devices and systems that operate based on quantum mechanical effects.
2. Computer Engineering
  • Software Engineering
    • Software Development: Specializes in creating applications and systems software.
    • Software Testing and Quality Assurance: Focuses on testing software for reliability and performance.
  • Embedded Systems Engineering
    • Real-Time Systems Engineering: Specializes in systems that operate within stringent time constraints.
    • Firmware Engineering: Involves developing low-level software for controlling hardware.
3. Telecommunications Engineering
  • Wireless Communication Engineering
    • Cellular Network Engineering: Focuses on the design and optimization of cellular networks.
    • Satellite Communication Engineering: Involves the design and maintenance of satellite communication systems.
  • Optical Communication Engineering
    • Fiber Optics Engineering: Specializes in the use of fiber optic technology for communication.
    • Free-Space Optical Communication: Involves the transmission of light through the atmosphere for communication.
4. Control Systems Engineering
  • Automation Engineering
    • Industrial Automation: Focuses on automating manufacturing and industrial processes.
    • Home Automation: Involves automating household appliances and systems for smart homes.
  • Robotics Engineering
    • Autonomous Robotics: Specializes in robots that operate without human intervention.
    • Industrial Robotics: Focuses on robots used in manufacturing and assembly lines.
5. Power Engineering
  • Renewable Energy Engineering
    • Solar Energy Engineering: Focuses on the design and development of solar power systems.
    • Wind Energy Engineering: Specializes in the design and implementation of wind power systems.
  • Smart Grid Engineering
    • Grid Integration Engineering: Deals with integrating renewable energy sources into the grid.
    • Energy Storage Engineering: Focuses on the development of technologies for storing energy, such as batteries and supercapacitors.
6. Signal Processing Engineering
  • Audio Engineering
    • Sound Design: Specializes in creating audio for media, such as films and games.
    • Acoustic Engineering: Involves the study of sound and vibration, focusing on noise control and sound quality.
  • Image and Video Processing Engineering
    • Computer Vision: Focuses on enabling computers to interpret and process visual information from the world.
    • Multimedia Systems: Specializes in the integration of text, graphics, audio, and video for applications like virtual reality.
7. Instrumentation Engineering
  • Biomedical Instrumentation Engineering
    • Medical Imaging Engineering: Specializes in technologies for imaging the human body, such as MRI and CT scans.
    • Diagnostic Devices Engineering: Focuses on the development of devices for diagnosing medical conditions.
  • Industrial Instrumentation Engineering
    • Process Control Engineering: Involves controlling and optimizing industrial processes.
    • Sensor Technology Engineering: Specializes in the development and application of sensors for various uses.
8. Electromagnetic Engineering
  • Microwave Engineering
    • Radar Engineering: Focuses on the design and application of radar systems.
    • Microwave Circuit Design: Specializes in the design of circuits that operate at microwave frequencies.
  • Antenna Engineering
    • Phased Array Antennas: Specializes in the design of antennas with multiple elements that can be electronically steered.
    • Antenna Design for Communication Systems: Focuses on designing antennas for specific communication applications.
9. Photonics Engineering
  • Laser Engineering
    • Fiber Laser Engineering: Specializes in lasers that use optical fibers as the gain medium.
    • Solid-State Laser Engineering: Focuses on lasers that use solid materials, such as crystals, as the gain medium.
  • Opto-electronics
    • Photodetectors and Sensors: Involves the development of devices that detect light and convert it into electrical signals.
    • Optical Computing: Focuses on using light instead of electricity to perform computing tasks.
10. Cybersecurity Engineering
  • Network Security Engineering
    • Firewall and Intrusion Detection Systems: Specializes in technologies to protect networks from unauthorized access.
    • Virtual Private Network (VPN) Engineering: Focuses on creating secure network connections over public networks.
  • Cryptographic Engineering
    • Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Engineering: Involves the development and management of public key encryption systems.
    • Blockchain Technology: Focuses on developing and applying blockchain for secure and transparent transactions.

These sub-branches reflect the continuous evolution and specialization within the broader field of electrical engineering, driven by advancements in technology and the need for expertise in specific areas.