A TENS device for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation wraps around the upper calf much like a wristwatch wraps around the wrist. Here are some of its operational secrets. A medical device called a Quell performs what’s called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the lower leg. This technique is said to relieve diabetic pain. None of us here are diabetic … [Read More...]
FROM THE EDITORS
FAQs
When tin whiskers spontaneously erupt
First reported in the 1940s, Metal Whiskers (MW) are spider-web-thin conductive filaments that sprout (most often) from tin, zinc, and cadmium metal surfaces. A “tin whisker” can be manually formed with poor soldering techniques, but metal whiskers actually grow on their own, too. They are a phenomenon that many engineers are not aware of. Silver, […]
What are hermetic connectors?
Hermetic connectors are designed to prevent ingress of air, gases and other liquids into the vacuum-sealed connector in extremely harsh environments. In testing, these connectors should show no detectable gas or fluid leakage. They should be able to withstand high pressures of 10,000 psi or more, ensuring a stable pressure differential on both sides of […]
Load pull for RF devices, Part 1: What and why
Impedance matching between RF stages has always been a priority to ensure maximum transfer of RF power along with minimal RF-power reflections. Although most RF systems are designed for nominal 50-ohm input and output impedance (and 75-ohm for cable TV), the reality is that many components do not present that preferred 50-ohm impedance due to […]
What is the COM Express standard?
The COM Express open standard, initially released in 2005, covers Computer on Modules (CO) and Single Board Computers (SBCs) under the auspices of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturer’s Group (PICMG), a consortium of equipment and system vendors, component suppliers, and end users for the embedded computer market. Open standards are not open source, but they […]
Here’s what happens when lithium-ion batteries are drastically overcharged
Lithium batteries have a high energy density so they can store a lot of energy in a small volume. But they can go up in smoke when bad things happen. Recently we recorded a short video to show what can happen during one of those bad things – overcharging. Excessive charging can bring on thermal […]
What is DICE architecture?
DICE stands for Device Identifier Composition Engine, and it is a security standard created by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) which has been addressing security issues for years. TCG announced the establishment of DICE Architecture, or DICE Architecture Work Group to address the need for increased security in the Internet of Things (IoT) therefore targeting […]
Measuring phase noise and jitter
Generally, whether one speaks of phase noise or jitter depends upon whether they happen to be a radio frequency or digital systems engineer. Both phenomena are random fluctuations of a time-domain waveform in an oscillator or in a clock. Phase noise is best represented in the frequency domain. It is usually defined as the spectral […]
Gyroscopes, Part 2: Optical and MEMS implementations
Part 1 of this FAQ examined the basics of IMUs based on spinning-rotor gyroscopes to establish and maintain a fixed attitude via a gimbaled platform, along with orthogonal accelerometers to sense motion along each axis. Part 2 looks at optical and MEMS-based gyros which have largely replaced the spinning-rotor core function except in the most-demanding […]
Voice-coil actuators, Part 2: Application issues
Part 1 looked at the basic of the VCA. Part 2 looks at operation in more detail along with applications, as well as a comparison to the solenoid. Q: What equation governs the behavior of a VCA? A: As with most magnetic-coil devices, it’s the Lorentz force equation. This shows that the force generated is […]
Analog ICs
Analog Top Talks in June 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...]
CUI partners with SnapEDA to offer free PCB footprint files
CUI today announced that it has teamed up with SnapEDA to provide designers with a catalog of free, ready-to-download PCB footprints and symbols for CUI’s range of board mount electromechanical … [Read More...]
High-voltage amplifiers optimized for error-sensitive apps
Texas Instruments (TI) today introduced three new amplifiers with a unique combination of high speed and high precision, allowing designers to create more accurate circuits for … [Read More...]
Focus on Microcontrollers
Rad-tolerant secure authenticator withstands gamma sterilization, protects medical device data
Medical device designers can protect surgical tool data from memory-disruptive, high-energy gamma radiation used in sterilization, while simultaneously providing tool security with capabilities such … [Read More...]
MPUs target IoT apps with high-performance TFT-LCD controllers, graphic processors
The latest additions to the STM32 family, the STM32F7x0 and H7x0 Value Line microcontrollers (MCU) from STMicroelectronics, give extra flexibility to create affordable performance-oriented systems … [Read More...]
When tin whiskers spontaneously erupt
First reported in the 1940s, Metal Whiskers (MW) are spider-web-thin conductive filaments that sprout (most often) from tin, zinc, and cadmium metal surfaces. A “tin whisker” can be manually formed … [Read More...]
Focus on Power Electronics
The multiport USB-C architecture takes charge
Xunwei Yu and Sungkeun Lim, Renesas Electronics Corporation The USB-C interface is revolutionizing the way we charge our electronics devices. Its USB Type-C connector cable slides right into your smartphone or ultrabook no matter what orientation … [Read More...]
50A regulator uses inductors as heat sinks, scalable to 250A
Analog Devices announces the Power by Linear LTM4678 dual 25A or single 50A step-down µModule regulator with PMBus digital interface. By stacking and exposing its two inductors on top of BGA package, the LTM4678 uses the inductors as heat sinks to … [Read More...]
Medical-approved 15-W dc/dc converter comes in 1×1.6-in. package
TRACO POWER has announced the release of their THM 15 family of medical 15 Watt DC/DC converters with a wide 2:1 input range in a 1.0 x 1.6 x 0.40” footprint. The THM 15 series are a reliable solution not only for medical equipment but also for … [Read More...]
Wireless
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...]
M-wave, mm-wave ICs offer Tx/Rx functions with active gain and phase control
Anokiwave is releasing a set of two new ICs in a family of multi-function microwave and millimeter-wave ICs, offering complete transmit/receive functionality with active gain and phase control. The new IC family, also called “Intelligent Gain Blocks” … [Read More...]
Automotive Applications
Image recognition SoC integrates four 2-GHz cores
Optimum Semiconductor Technologies, Inc. announced the GP8300 image recognition SoC. The GP8300 dramatically reduces chip cost, area, and power consumption for image recognition and object detection in a broad range of products such as self-driving … [Read More...]
Tunnel magnetoresistance angle sensor for vehicular use supports ASIL-D safety standard
Infineon Technologies AG is launching its first magnetic sensors based on TMR technology. This makes the company the world’s first sensor manufacturer to offer magnetic sensors based on all four magnetic technologies: HALL, GMR, AMR and TMR. Infineon … [Read More...]
First fully integrated ‘connected car’ platform for the global auto industry
With the global connected car market expected to skyrocket over the next five years, Laird has launched the auto industry’s first fully integrated and scalable module for secure mobile connectivity and automotive Ethernet for reliable Internet use … [Read More...]
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