Field-oriented control, also known as vector control, is a calculation-intensive algorithm for motor control which is now practical due to advances in ICs; it offers improved efficiency along with superior control of torque and other performance parameters. Motor control—and doing so accurately and efficiently—is a topic of great interest. Field-oriented control (FOC), sometimes called vector […]
Analog computation, Part 1: What and why
Analog circuits based on op amps can be used to implement mathematical functions and are still useful in many applications due to their unique attributes. Say the word “computer” or “computation” and the instinctively associated concept is “digital.” That makes sense since most computers and computation functions are implemented with general digital logic, specialized arithmetic […]
Programmable Logic Controllers, Part 2: Evolution and history
The programmable logic control (PLC) is the controller for many industrial processes; it is tightly focused and optimized for the task due to its rugged electrical, software, mechanical, and thermal design. Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basics of the PLC, its attributes, and virtues. Part 2 looks at how the PLC has […]
Programmable Logic Controllers, Part 1: Basics and background
The programmable logic control (PLC) is the controller for many industrial processes; it is tightly focused and optimized for the task due to its rugged electrical, software, mechanical, and thermal design. For engineers and system designers whose design-related work and personal life is focused on smartphones, desktop and laptop personal computers (PC), servers, the cloud, […]
Heat sinks, Part 2: Available components
Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basic issues associated with cooling and heat sinks. Part 2 focuses on the various heat sinks available. Q: Are heat sinks limited to a single component such as an IC? A: No, there are heat sinks which fit entire unit or chassis cool such as those which […]
Synthesized tuning, Part 2: Advanced synthesizers and performance
Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basic issues and topologies related to the challenge of frequency synthesis. Part 2 continues with advanced approaches and their attributes, as well as general concerns when choosing a synthesizer. Q: Are there other digitally-controlled synthesizer topologies? A: Yes. A widely used one is called the classical phase […]
Heat sinks, Part 1: Thermal principles
A heat sink is a non-electronic, passive mechanical component that has a vital role in the reliability and performance of ICs, PC boards, modules, chassis, and more. Heat sinks often don’t get much attention, at least not in the early stages of a design. This FAQ will look at the basic thermal principles of these […]
Synthesized tuning, Part 1: Basic frequency-synthesizer principles
Frequency synthesizers of various architectures, made possible by IC technology, are a key building blocks for applications which must accurately tune multiple channels, and hop from one frequency to another while using a single signal source such as a crystal oscillator. When you want to tune a desired radio station — AM or FM — […]
Gravity-assist “Slingshot,” Part 2: Application
A graduate student worked out the principles of using a planet’s mass to accelerate and adjust the voyage of spacecraft traversing our solar system; without it, the voyages of interplanetary probes would be impractically long. Part 1 of this FAQ scoped out the basic problem of completing interplanetary missions within a manageable time, and how […]
Gravity-assist “Slingshot,” Part 1: Background and principle
A graduate student worked out the principles of using a planet’s mass to accelerate and adjust the voyage of spacecraft traversing our solar system; without it, the voyages of interplanetary probes would be impractically long. If you follow the news about the various interplanetary probes launched by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and others […]
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