The new mPower power integrity software for analog, digital and mixed signal IC designs is the industry’s first and only IC power integrity verification solution to provide virtually unlimited scalability for analog, digital, and mixed signal ICs, enabling comprehensive power, electromigration (EM) and voltage drop (IR) analysis for even the largest IC designs. mPower software […]
Analog ICs
The practical magical first-order analog filter: Part 1
Finding the right analog filter to build a sensor circuit doesn’t have to be complicated. Understandably, the plethora of filter options can be overwhelming. Also, selecting a less-than-ideal filter may result in compromises, potentially increasing system cost, or affecting performance. To help simplify filter selection, this series of blogs explore key considerations when assessing your […]
Including the often overlooked 1/f current noise
It is tempting to center your attention only on voltage noise when using operational amplifiers in the circuit. This impulse is attractive because the current noise is always well below the voltage noise specifications. But be careful. Don’t jump to conclusions without looking at all the elements in this noise challenge. This blog explores the […]
Negotiate through 1/f noise challenges towards sample sizes into the 100s of years
Measuring and determining 1/f voltage noise over a multiple-year sample requires an operational amplifier and effective 1/f knowledge. This article shows how to identify and determine the actual op amp 1/f voltage noise across a sample size of years and explains why the 1/f voltage noise is a non-issue at higher frequencies. After many years […]
Improving transimpedance amplifiers with a bootstrap
Analog bootstrap circuits are traditionally ones where output is fed back to the input, usually to increase input impedance. This can be to minimize either the resistive or reactive (usually capacitive) components of the input impedance or both. The term is now also used with MOSFET drivers where a capacitor is charged and used to […]
Sigma Delta ADC vs. SAR vs. Pipeline: How to Choose
Assuming that you are familiar with the fundamental specifications of an ADC and what they mean, the next step is to know your entire signal chain well and then work to fit the ADC to the requirements. After carefully determining signal chain requirements, then select your ADC with the understanding that if the ADC is […]
Input bias current cancellation in bipolar op amps
Bipolar operational amplifiers have an essential input bias current requirement. This bias current has to come from somewhere and can be a nuisance in some types of high impedance circuits such as charge amplifiers and transimpedance amplifiers and can result in offset voltages where input resistances aren’t matched. The example shown below has an input […]
Sound design considerations for Class D amps
The first two FAQs in this series, “Class D Amplifiers for High-Efficiency Switched-Mode Sound” and “Class D Audio – Why Now?” focused on basic Class D amplifier topologies, modulation techniques, general component and technology advancements that have made Class D amplifiers an increasingly viable option, and the evolving tradeoffs between silicon and GaN power devices. […]
MIM/MOM capacitor extraction boosts analog and RF designs
Metal-insulator-metal and metal-oxide-metal capacitors popular in analog/RF designs because of their desirable characteristics. By extracting parasitics from your models that are important in your design, you’ll get a robust circuit.
Connectors facilitate 4K Ultra HD broadcast in applications requiring direct mounting
Heilind Electronics an authorized distributor for Amphenol RF, recently introduced the manufacturer’s 12G MCX connectors. The MCX line is the latest in Amphenol RF’s 12G offerings, which include high-frequency BNC and HD-BNC connectors. The new connectors provide single-channel transmission of 4K and Ultra HD quality signals, supporting data transfer rates of 12 Gbps per SMPTE […]
