We take a look at the venerable Sony game box with an eye toward power handling and architecture. Chances are that if you’re a gamer, you’re experiencing your video games on a Sony PlayStation 4. To date, over 75 million PlayStation 4 boxes have sold. The closest competitor is the Xbox One (36.03 million) and the Switch (14.46 million). The PlayStation 4 now accounts for … [Read More...]
FROM THE EDITORS
Sponsored Content
Superposition vs. True-Balanced: What’s Required for Your Signal Integrity Application
Signal integrity applications commonly utilize balanced/differential transmission lines that are typically characterized using vector network analyzers (VNAs). This white paper offers guidance to … [Read More...]
Podcasts
PODCAST: Sujit Banerjee: Lab to fab to energy efficient Silicon Carbide semis
Dr. Sujit Banerjee arrived in the U.S. from India wanting to make a difference. Years later, the self-proclaimed “non-marketing guy” approached a fab with not much more than a dollar in his … [Listen...]
PODCAST: Damon de Laszlo: a Renaissance chairMan embraces a world of interconnections
The more you learn about Harwin Plc CEO Damon de Laszlo, the more you recognize that crossing multiple disciplines with an intensity of fascination, emotion, and dedication is not only his … [Listen...]
PODCAST: Dianne Kibbey: Emboldening women to become elemental forces in tech
When Dianne Kibbey obtained her undergraduate degree, she constituted fifty percent of the total number of women in her computer science graduating class. Now, as the Global Head of … [Listen...]
FAQs
Optimizing the energy efficiency of converters and controllers
Here’s how to evaluate efficiencies associated with components that make up widely used power conversion circuitry. FRANK DE STASI, MATHEW JACOB, TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC. IN SOME WAYS, selecting a module, converter or controller for power conversion resembles deciding whether to take a flight, board a train, or drive from point A to B. Once you’ve […]
Blood oxygen meters, Part 2: IC implementations
It is now trivial and non-invasive to measure blood-oxygen saturation SpO2, thanks to LEDs, algorithms, and ICs for pulse oximetry — it’s a very long way from having to draw blood and send it out for assessment. Part 1 of this FAQ discussed the principle of the non-invasive, light-based pulse-oximetry systems for reading blood-oxygen saturation […]
Understanding and testing asynchronous logic
Traditionally, computer and instrumentation engineers work with synchronous logic, where a global clock circuit imposes a timing structure to which all circuits down to the components level adhere. In synchronous logic, an autonomous oscillator outputs a square wave that never varies in frequency or amplitude. At the rising edge (sometimes falling edge) a potentially vast […]
Blood oxygen meters, Part 1: Background and principles
It is now trivial and non-invasive to measure blood-oxygen saturation SpO2, thanks to LEDs, algorithms, and ICs for pulse oximetry — and it’s a very long way from having to draw blood and send it out for assessment. Just a few decades ago, determining the vital medical parameter known as blood oxygen level — formally […]
When should you use sealed connectors?
Any time a connector needs to be protected from the environment where it operates, you should consider choosing one of two types of sealed connectors. The two types of sealing available include hermetic sealing, where the contacts are sealed against air and gases; and environmental seals, such as those with an IP or ingress protection […]
Why clean PCBs matter, Part I
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are essential in modern electronics. Dust and other contaminants are more important to watch out for than ever. As components get smaller, the relative size of contaminants is larger, heat is more of an issue with densely packed circuits on modern ICs, and devices operating at high frequencies (~1 GHz and […]
Working with optical fiber
Optical fiber is actually a waveguide for light and operates in accordance with a principle known as total internal reflection. In contrast to electrical conduction, there is low loss and signals can be conveyed over considerable distances without amplification. Total internal reflection happens when a propagated wave strikes the boundary between two dissimilar materials, provided […]
Why is it vital to include power factor in ac-dc efficiency measurements?
Ron Stull of CUI explains what power factor is, how it affects efficiency calculations and how it is measured With today’s concentration on energy savings, design engineers need to know with increasing accuracy what their ac-dc power converter efficiency is. Measuring the ratio of output power to input power is simple for dc-dc converters, but […]
Quartz crystals and oscillators, Part 2: Advanced crystals
Part 1 of this FAQ established the context for the quartz crystal as the core of an oscillator whether used as a system clock or as a frequency-setting element in a tuning circuit. This part looks at the achievable performance, the factors that affect it, and what can be done for highest performance. Q: What […]
Analog ICs
Blood oxygen meters, Part 1: Background and principles
It is now trivial and non-invasive to measure blood-oxygen saturation SpO2, thanks to LEDs, algorithms, and ICs for pulse oximetry — and it’s a very long way from having to draw blood and send it out … [Read More...]
Analog Top Talks in October on EDABoard.com forums
Peer-to-peer, engineer-to-engineer questions and answers from the EDABoard.com engineering community around analog ICs and analog design. Click the “Read more” link and follow the entire conversation … [Read More...]
Custom and AMS IC design tools certified for Samsung 7nm process technology
Cadence Design Systems, Inc. announced that its custom and analog/mixed-signal (AMS) IC design tools have achieved certification for Samsung Foundry’s 7nm Low Power Plus (7LPP) process technology. … [Read More...]
Focus on Microcontrollers
Wireless I/O avoids mechanical connectors, scales with processor/memory performance
The Virtual Pipe I/O (VPIO) architecture enables I/O to scale with processor/memory performance and allows product designers to develop new classes of product. Unlike almost every other aspect of … [Read More...]
Programs speed FPGA development efforts with programmable hardware accelerators
Achronix Semiconductor Corporation today announced two new programs to enable research institutions, consortia, and companies full access to Achronix’s leading Speedcore eFPGA … [Read More...]
Reference design covers biometric payment cards
Infineon Technologies AG and NEXT Biometrics have joined to develop a reference design for biometric payment cards. The reference platform incorporates all necessary elements to develop and … [Read More...]
Focus on Power Electronics
Energy efficiency, smart lighting, and the IoT
Sure, smart lights will save energy, but they’ll also be the backbone of systems that can help minimize mini-catastrophes. CEES LINKS, Qorvo THE IoT (internet of things) INCLUDES a rich offering of energy efficiency benefits. Smart lighting is, of … [Read More...]
Optimizing the energy efficiency of converters and controllers
Here’s how to evaluate energy efficiency associated with components that make up widely used power conversion circuitry. FRANK DE STASI, MATHEW JACOB, TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC. IN SOME WAYS, selecting a module, converter or controller for power … [Read More...]
5-W surface-mount current sense shunt runs cool at high power levels
The HCSM2818 is a 5-W surface-mount current-sense shunt with excellent long-term stability and good TCR. The HCSM offers 4 and 5-mΩ values in 200-ppm TCR and 10, 15, and 20 mΩ values in 75-ppm TCR. The molded package and larger terminations … [Read More...]
Wireless
Rutronik now offering Ethertronics embedded antenna
Rutronik, Inc. has announced that Ethertronics has released the 1002289 antenna, which provides design engineers with the ability to cover many wireless technologies with a single device. The Ethertronics 1002289 antenna features broadband tuning, … [Read More...]
High-impedance laminates help reduce antenna size
Rogers Corporation has introduced MAGTREX 555 Laminates, the first product in a new platform of high-impedance laminates featuring a high permeability and permittivity. These high-impedance laminates enable antenna designers to expand the trade-space … [Read More...]
0.45µm GaN power process for current and future 5G applications
WIN Semiconductors Corp has expanded its gallium nitride (GaN) process capabilities to include a 0.45µm-gate technology that supports current and future 5G applications. The NP45-11 GaN-on-SiC process allows customers to design hybrid Doherty power … [Read More...]
Automotive Applications
TE Connectivity to present ‘Tech Talks’ on the trends shaping the connected home market
TE Connectivity (TE), a world leader in connectivity and sensors, invites visitors to their stand (Hall B2, Stand #225) at electronica to sit in on TE’s “Tech Talks” series focused on the latest trends in connected home technology. On site, TE’s … [Read More...]
Keysight Technologies to spotlight solutions that accelerate electronic innovation at electronica 2018
At Hall A3 Stand 506 you'll find Keysight demonstrating a wide range of new test and measurement products and solutions, hardware and software, plus comprehensive services, that accelerate innovation in automotive, industrial and communications … [Read More...]
Rutronik at electronica 2018 — security, digitization, and battery management
Rutronik, a leading global broad-line stocking distributor of a comprehensive range of electronic components, semiconductors, and products and technology solutions for IoT and embedded systems, will be showcasing product highlights from its four … [Read More...]
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