Terahertz (THz) systems represent one of the next frontiers in electronics. THz applications are expected to include automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for autonomous vehicles, next-generation telephony like 5G and 6G, augmented and virtual reality (AR & VR) technologies for the metaverse, and more. There will be numerous challenges to overcome in the development […]
Applications
How high pin-count socket connectors are supporting new processor-chip applications
Datacenter server processor chips have proven valuable as pluggable and removable devices for the socket connectors mounted to a server’s main PCB board. However, the number of contacts per socket connector has dramatically risen over the last few years. New chips offer 3000 to 5000 or more contact pads per flip chip. Typically, the socket […]
Demonstrating antenna diversity, Part 3: The Yagi antenna
Yagi antennas have long been popular as beam antennas for amateur radio. Here’s how they work.
An RF playground for automotive design engineers
An automotive test lab in Silicon Valley lets RF engineers test the wireless connectivity of automotive components. In a video interview, Cetecom’s Amber Neves shows the test setup. The connected car. We hear about it constantly. Not only are cars connecting to phones and other consumer devices, they’re also connecting directly to cellular networks. That’s…
Smart sensor duo for mobile off-highway vehicles at ConExpo 2023
Elobau will once again be represented as an exhibitor at this year’s ConExpo. In South Hall 4, S85221, the German manufacturer of sensors and operator controls will present its new generation of tilt sensors with the N6 static and the N7 dynamic. The N6 static enables high-precision measurement under harsh environmental conditions, in stationary operations […]
Rare earths and EVs — it’s not about batteries
Rare earths play an important part in the sustainability of electric vehicles (EVs). While there are sustainability challenges related to EV batteries, rare earths are not used in lithium-ion batteries. They are necessary for the magnets that form the main propulsion motors. The batteries mostly rely on lithium and cobalt (not rare earths). At the […]
What is a Smith Chart and why do I need one? (Part 1)
A Smith chart provides insight into RF/microwave designs. Even if you work primarily with low-speed analog and mixed-signal designs, you could benefit from familiarity with the Smith chart as wireless products proliferate and as high-speed-serial data signals exhibit microwave-like effects. When a signal’s wavelength (λ) approaches the lengths of the conductors carrying it, you can […]
SP4T RF switches now available in production quantities
pSemi Corporation announces the production readiness of two new high-linearity switches targeted for the latest 5G wireless infrastructure and massive MIMO base station deployments. By using the new high linearity switches in hybrid architecture topologies, base station designers can save valuable board space and improve thermal management, reducing the overall system’s cost, weight, and power…
IPDs safely and flexibly control power distribution within vehicles
Renesas Electronics Corporation announced a new automotive Intelligent Power Device (IPD) that will safely and flexibly control power distribution within vehicles, addressing the requirements of next-generation E/E (electrical/electronic) architectures. The new RAJ2810024H12HPD is available in the small TO-252-7 package and reduces the mounting area by about 40% compared to the conventional TO-263 package product. In […]
Metal film low-resistance chip resistors available in 0.25 W up to 2 W for power control applications
Applications such as industrial and automotive power control require low resistance values, high power ratings, and resistance to sulfur contamination. Thick film chip resistors are not typically sulfur resistant, especially in higher power ratings, and many high-power resistor series do not offer values below 1 ohm. Stackpole’s CSRT-AS series offers low resistance values, anti-sulfur performance, […]
