An electrical conductor warms up when it conveys current. If the heat is high enough the conductor can be damaged, so it is beneficial to limit current flow. Three-phase electrical distribution systems are highly effective in limiting current flow without reducing the amount of power delivered to the load. They do this by separating phases […]
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 […]
Programming AVR microcontrollers and Arduinos using the Arduino ISP
All microcontrollers (MCUs) require some sort of mechanism to program them, even if they only get programmed once. Typically, program code is written on a host computer, then it is compiled or translated, and object (machine-readable) code is downloaded to the MCU (“the target”) from the PC (“the host”) using a cable (usually USB or […]
Power management ICs, part 2: PMIC implementations
The power management IC (PMIC) is often a vital part of the lower-voltage DC subsystem, as circuits have multiple power rails with tight individual specifications as well as mandated relationships among them. Part 1 of this FAQ discussed the need for, PMICs and their general characteristics. Part 2 now looks at specific ICs which implement […]
Wheatstone bridge, Part 2: Additional considerations
Part 1 of this FAQ explained the basic principle of the Wheatstone bridge. This part will take the bridge configuration into modern applications and go beyond basic resistance measurements. Q: All this measurement via changing resistance or by measuring current seems very slow or static; how does it fit into today’s electronics? A: Frist, many […]
Choosing the right encoder – open-collector, push-pull or differential output?
Position encoders are widely used in motion control applications and many different types are available. To choose the optimum device for a given application, engineers must decide between absolute, incremental or commutation encoders, which present data in various formats such as quadrature, motor-pole or a serial protocol. The resolution required, as well as dimensions and […]
Safety guidelines for hipot testing and setting up a safe testing area
A few simple steps ensure testing takes place safely when potentially lethal voltages and currents are involved in the testing process. . Kevin Clark, Vitrek Inc. Hipot testing has long been a standard procedure for assuring the electrical safety compliance of electronic equipment. Early commercial hipot testers were actually not much more than a variac-driven […]
Power Management ICs, part 1: PMIC functions
The power management IC (PMIC) is often a vital part of the lower-voltage DC subsystem, as circuits have multiple power rails with tight individual specifications as well as mandated relationships among them. It’s one thing to develop needed low-voltage DC rails via DC/DC converters or regulators, but there’s also a need to manage these power […]
Wheatstone bridge, Part 1: Principles and basic applications
Although the electronics industry is relentlessly driven by advances in materials, components, and architectures, the “new” obviously also builds on the “old” and often still uses it, albeit in new guises. There’s still a viable place and need for old devices such as the transformer, solenoid, relay, and Wheatstone bridge. This FAQ will look at […]
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