It pays to know the limitations and strengths of widely used methods of measuring current. Sam Locke • Allegro Microsystems Recent technological developments such as fast dc charging for electric vehicles and high-power processing in data centers drive the quest for delivering more power in smaller spaces. Congruent with that quest is the need for […]
Improving battery power efficiency for IoT devices
Nanopower ship mode and sleep mode can be optimized to reduce power consumption. Suryash Rai • Analog Devices Inc. In the connected world of the internet, power management is an important way to boost the efficiency of IoT applications. In most situations, the sensor node (data acquisition element) sits in a remote area and is […]
How input high-Z technology keeps down ADC power and size
Muxed SAR ADCs equipped with high-impedance technology can substantially reduce circuit footprint and energy use without compromising performance and accuracy. Sanjay Rajasekhar, Arvind Shankar • Analog Devices Inc. Muxed successive approximation register analog-to-digital converters (SAR ADCs) find use in applications that must constantly monitor multiple critical variables. In optical communications, laser biasing could be monitored […]
Stamped-spring pin socket accepts dual-row QFP packages
A new socket addresses high performance requirements for burn-in and test applications. The SBT-QFE-3035 socket includes a contactor that is a stamped spring pin with 14-gm actuation force per ball and cycle life of 125,000 insertions. The self inductance of the contactor is 0.88 nH, insertion loss of < 1 dB at 20.5 GHz and […]
Book review: Dead Simple Python
Dead Simple Python, by Jason C. McDonald Readers may initially see the title of this book and think it entails a “for dummies” type presentation of Python. Not at all. McDonald, a software engineer, has written a +700-page treatise on Python that is aimed at people who already are familiar with some other software language […]
Advanced capacitors enable high-efficiency energy scavenging
Modern tantalum capacitors and supercapacitors make it possible for compact energy harvesting systems to power IoT MCU applications. Ron Demcko, Daniel West, Ashley Stanziola • Kyocera AVX Advanced tantalum capacitors and supercapacitors are enabling advanced ICs to be powered by compact and low-cost energy harvesting and scavenging sources. These developments make possible maintenance-free control systems […]
Audio component CAD models compatible with PCB design tools
An online experience allows engineers to visualize and download CAD models for PUI Audio products. To save engineers weeks of design work, SnapEDA created the first search engine focused on providing trustworthy electronics CAD (E-CAD) data. Traditionally, engineers have spent hours creating the CAD models needed for circuit board design. The process of creating and […]
Silicone gap filler offers enhanced options for power applications
Sarcon GR25B is an advanced silicone, gel-like thermal interface material delivers a thermal conductivity of 2.5 W/m•K and is a widely used choice for higher power electronics applications. GR25B is offered in double sticky surfaces, hardened surfaces for easier handling, with polyester mesh to prevent stretching or with both hardened surface and mesh for more […]
Selecting a gate driver for ASIL-certified systems
Several safety features now found in gate driver integrated circuits make it easier for automotive system designs to get ASIL certification. David Divins • Infineon Technologies The Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) is a risk classification system defined by the ISO 26262 standard for the functional safety of road vehicles. There are four ASIL safety […]
Where depletion-mode power MOSFETs excel
Depletion-mode MOSFETs have qualities that let them work well in several kinds of power-handling circuits. Aalok Bhatt, José Padilla, Raymon Zhou • Littelfuse, Inc. Most MOSFETs are enhancement-mode (EM) devices: When their gate-source voltage is zero, they don’t conduct. When the need is for a switch that is normally on when there is no power […]