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...]
FAQs
GPS, Part 1: Basic principles
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a worldwide, RF wireless-based system for determining where you are anywhere in the Earth’s surface if there is line-of-sight visibility to at least four of its orbiting satellites. The availability of GPS since its inception a few decades ago has not only enabled products and features which were simply […]
e-Fuses, Part 2: Building or buying an e-Fuse
The electronic fuse is a powerful and versatile tool in the designer’s kit, but building one requires careful selection of the core amplifier; IC embodiments solve the problem. Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basic structure of the electronic fuse or e-fuse. This part looks at the requirements on the current sense amplifier […]
FAQ: Piezoelectric motors, Part 2: drive circuits
Unlike better-known electromagnetic motors, the widely used piezoelectric-based motor/actuator provides precise, repeatable linear motion over short distances, and requires a voltage drive rather than a current drive. Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the moving piezoelectric element of the actuator. Part 2 looks at their drive requirements, which are very different than those of […]
An Open Source RTOS for IoT
An operating system (OS) is software that supports essential computer functions by managing software and hardware in a computer system. An embedded OS is typically tailored for a specific system and is usually as small as is necessary to do its job. You can find OSes in smartphones, routers, smart watches, game consoles, Alexa/Google Home, […]
Basics of active and differential scope probes
By far the most used oscilloscope probe is the passive 10:1 attenuation probe. It is appropriate when the frequency of the signal under investigation is less than 600 MHz. Impedance matching from probe tip to channel input port is critical. A mismatch gives rise to reflections, collisions and loss of data. At dc to the […]
Why use an e-fuse? Part 1
The electronic fuse is a powerful and versatile tool in the designer’s kit, but building one requires careful selection of the core amplifier; IC embodiments solve the problem. The traditional thermal-based fuse, Figure 1, is a low-cost, widely used, well-understood, highly reliable, easy-to-apply circuit- protection component. It is available in a wide range of ratings, […]
FAQ: Piezoelectric motors, Part 1: actuators
Unlike better-known electromagnetic motors, the widely used piezoelectric-based motor/actuator provides precise, repeatable linear motion over short distances, and requires a voltage drive rather than a current drive. When we think “motor”, we usually think of rotating motion or perhaps a special “linear motor” which is a rotary motor which has been rolled out flat. To […]
20 mA current loops, Part 2: Advanced features
Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basics of the 20-mA current loop, why it is still used extensively, and its primary attributes. In this part, we’ll look at how the analog current loop is used for digitized signals and at self-powered loops – two developments which have extended its life and viability. Q: […]
20-mA current loops, Part 1: Basic functions
You’ve been given an “easy” assignment: get the low-rate data from a temperature sensor to a control computer located 100 feet (30 m) away, in an industrial setting. After much investigation and assessment, you choose a widely used standard called the 20-mA loop, which has been in use for over 50 years, rather than Wi-Fi, […]
Analog ICs
D/A converters excel at high-fidelity audio apps
ROHM has launched a new branding “MUS-IC” reflecting ROHM’s focus on solutions for high-fidelity audio products. This branding covers a range of D/A converter ICs (DAC ICs), optimized for … [Read More...]
LTE antennas are designed for FirstNet applications
Taoglas announced the Taoglas Response line of LTE antennas specifically designed for FirstNet applications, including the GuardianX , the industry’s first 11-in-1 MIMO low-profile, adhesive-mount … [Read More...]
GPS, Part 1: Basic principles
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a worldwide, RF wireless-based system for determining where you are anywhere in the Earth’s surface if there is line-of-sight visibility to at least four of its … [Read More...]
Focus on Microcontrollers
GPIO expander works on I2C bus
Kinetic Technologies (Kinetic) announced today a widening of its product portfolio by the addition of a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) expander. The new KTS1620 is a low voltage, 24-bit, I2C-bus … [Read More...]
Next-gen memory platform builds-in processor for fail-safe storage
Cypress Semiconductor Corp. today announced it has embedded compute capabilities into its next-generation memory platform to address the growing demand for trusted intelligence and fail-safe storage … [Read More...]
Super-tiny sensor platforms, facile headlights, and “trainspotting” microphones mark STMicroelectronics’ Technology Tour
Technology demonstrations and tutorials marked the one-day Technology Tour event put on by STMicroelectronics in the Detroit area. Here are a few of the exhibits and tech presentations that caught our … [Read More...]
Focus on Power Electronics
Four-channel 5-A switch targets control of vehicular valves, relays, actuators
As emission standards for vehicles become increasingly demanding, car manufacturers are striving to make combustion engines more efficient. Infineon Technologies is launching a new member of its FLEX multichannel low-side switches family that will … [Read More...]
Digital power modules target data center servers, networking equipment
Renesas Electronics Corporation announced a new family of encapsulated digital DC/DC PMBus power modules. The five RAA210xxx simple digital power modules offer advanced digital telemetry and performance, and are as easy to use as Renesas’ analog … [Read More...]
New IC handles LED matrices with high efficiency
Designers of high-performance automotive matrix lighting and adaptive driving beam light-emitting diode (LED) applications can now migrate to higher current devices while reducing solution size and improving flexibility with the MAX20092 12-switch … [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
Next-gen memory platform builds-in processor for fail-safe storage
Cypress Semiconductor Corp. today announced it has embedded compute capabilities into its next-generation memory platform to address the growing demand for trusted intelligence and fail-safe storage in applications such as Advanced Driver Assistance … [Read More...]
Automotive power switch family handles lighting, body applications
Infineon Technologies AG is launching a new generation of its multichannel SPI high-side power controllers SPOC. The new SPOC series is designed to address interior and exterior lighting applications but also power distribution applications such as … [Read More...]
EMI suppression capacitors rated at 350 Vac
TDK is now offering a new series of EPCOS MKP Y2 capacitors for EMI suppression. In contrast to conventional types that are designed for rated voltages of 300 V AC, these new capacitors offer a permissible rated voltage of 350 V AC. The capacitances … [Read More...]
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