Block Diagrammes

A block diagram can help you understand how a system works, and can help you troubleshoot it when it malfunctions. Each block has a label that describes or names the circuit it represents, but it doesn't explain the workings of the circuit, nor does it depict the individual components. When you gain a general understanding of how a system operates by examining its block diagram, you can consult each of its circuit schematics for more details. Consider two examples.

• You want to design an electronic device to perform a specific task. You can simplify the process by drawing a block diagram that shows all the circuits you'll need to complete the project. Then you can expand each block into a schematic. In the end, you'll have a complete schematic that replaces all the blocks and shows the whole device in detail.
• Alternatively, you can approach the task the other way around. Imagine that you have a complicated schematic, and you want to use it to troubleshoot a device. Because the schematic shows every single component, you might find it difficult to determine which part of the device has the problem. A block diagram can help you envision how each circuit works in conjunction with the others. Once you've found the troublesome circuit with the aid of the block diagram, you can examine its schematic and do tests to isolate the faulty component.