Ethernet is gaining popularity in several automotive applications. It can handle high data rates with lower latency and lesser weight than controller area network (CAN) and local interconnect network (LIN) buses. However, conventional Ethernet developed for information technology (IT) infrastructure applications is too sensitive to interference and too noisy for most automotive applications. In this […]
What is the FlexRay communications network?
FlexRay is an ISO-standardized, deterministic, fault-tolerant, high-speed communications bus with applications in steer-by-wire, drive-by-wire, brake-by-wire, adaptive cruise control, active suspension, and other safety and drivetrain control systems. This FAQ offers a top-level comparison of FlexRay with the controller area network (CAN) and local interconnect network (LIN) buses, details the FlexRay communications cycle, and reviews FlexRay […]
What is the local interconnect network (LIN) bus?
The local interconnect network (LIN) bus is a single-wire bus (using the chassis ground) that enables the inexpensive integration of sensors and actuators in automobile networks. It can be used to create small subnets and can communicate over a power distribution system with a DC-LIN transceiver. This FAQ reviews the basics of LIN networks, details […]
What are the top five Li-ion battery safety standards?
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are complex electrochemical and mechanical systems that are the subject of dozens of international safety standards. In this FAQ, we’ll discuss the key environmental aspects of LIB safety, review the top 5 LIB safety standards, and consider the use of custom-battery testing rooms for the safety of testing personnel. Many of the…
How fast can Li-on batteries be charged?
The speed at which a battery can be recharged is measured using the ‘C-rate,’ where ‘C’ is the battery’s capacity in mA or A. At a 1 C rate, a battery can be completely recharged in one hour. The speed of charge primarily depends on the voltage. For example: For small batteries used in portable…
What battery chemistries are used in grid-scale energy storage?
Expansion of grid-scale energy storage is important to enable the transition to variable renewable energy (VRE) sources such as wind and solar, and a green energy economy. The use of battery energy storage systems (BESS) is a key to enabling the growing penetration of VREs. BESS installations are classified as behind-the-meter (BTM) or front of…
Security standards and MCUs
Security is an important concern for developers of all types of systems. This FAQ reviews several important security standards for IoT cyber security, security vulnerabilities in industrial automation and control systems, standards for analyzing and identifying secure coding errors in C applications, and concepts of application software security and levels of trust. The European Telecommunications […]
What are basic logic gates?
Logic gates are the building blocks of digital circuits. The basic logic gates include AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR. They can be implemented in digital hardware using transistors and/or diodes. In a few applications, they are implemented using electromechanical relays, fluidics, pneumatics, or optical elements. A series of logic gates can be […]
What’s a Neural microcontroller?
The ability to run neural networks (NNs) on MCUs is growing in importance to support artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the Internet of Things (IoT) nodes and other embedded edge applications. Unfortunately, running NNs on MCUs is challenging due to the relatively small memory capacities of most MCUs. This FAQ details the […]
MCU Bits and Bytes: sizes, types, and uses
Bits are the 1s and 0s that form the basis of digital information. A group of 8 bits is a byte and forms the basis of digital computing. Bits and bytes are used for storing and processing information as well as other functions in a digital IC. This FAQ begins with a brief review of […]