IMUs are just as important as cameras and radar when it comes to operating autonomous vehicles reliably. Mike Horton, Aceinna Inc. AN inertial measurement unit (IMU) is a device that directly measures a vehicle’s three linear acceleration components and three rotational rate components (and thus its six degrees of freedom). An IMU is unique among […]
FAQ
How telematics is evolving with the connected car
The embedded systems that control vehicle tracking grow more sophisticated by the day. Hope Bovenzi, Texas Instruments Inc. THE phrase “car of the future” often invokes thoughts about autonomous driving. But it is fair to also consider what it will be like as a passenger once our driving habits change. With free hands and relaxed […]
Galvanic isolation for electric vehicle systems
High voltages and high currents circulating in EVs make the fundamentals of electrical isolation techniques an important topic. Ross Sabolcik, Silicon Labs AS automotive designs move toward electrification, high-wattage power electronics become critical to new electronic drivetrain and battery systems. In these applications, digital controllers safely interface with the high-voltage systems of modern electric vehicles […]
Active noise cancellation, Part 2: Implementation
Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basic concept of active noise cancellation, how it might be implemented in principle using analog circuitry, and the harsh reality of actually providing the ANC function. Part 2 looks at modern ANC systems and how they function, as well as their practical issues. Q: Is ANC using […]
What are diodes? A quick refresher
A diode is a passive component made with semiconductor materials (a chip) that conducts current flowing in one direction but does not conduct current flowing in the opposite direction. The symbol for a diode (to the right in Figure 1) looks something like an arrow pointing in the direction of the forward current. Current flows […]
How to specify the proper Peltier module for your design
The latest generation of Peltier cooling modules can be a powerful addition to a designer’s thermal management toolbox. Robust and reliable, they can cool an IC or various other components – such as an LED or laser diode – to a target temperature and ensure stability even if the load changes rapidly. The modules are […]
Basics of oscilloscope controls
Early analog oscilloscopes had a vast number of front panel controls, mostly knobs that had to be endlessly twirled and tweaked to obtain and maintain stable waveforms on the screen. In the modern digital instrument with a flat screen, there is no focus knob, as required for the CRT with its beam of electrons traveling […]
Active noise cancellation, Part 1: Concept and principles
Electrical noise, whether due to internal circuit external signal sources, is an ever-present factor which ripples through many aspects of the engineer’s design challenge. But there is another kind of noise – namely audio/ acoustic noise – which affects consumers and the individuals, and whose affect engineers are striving to reduce. This noise can affect […]
In defense of the toggle switch
The world has gotten much fancier with capacitive and resistance touch input on displays, buttons that don’t give tactile feedback, or buttons that do but bounce the input signal on occasion. Buttons are everywhere. They’re on microwaves, refrigerators, garage door openers, smartphones, and inhabit the soul of the electric start/stop for modern automobiles. For designers, […]
How to plan temporary wiring in test facilities
Temporary wiring is usually associated with construction sites and outdoor concerts. But it also comes into play when test regimes demand that several test instruments be set up outdoors, and when research work must commence in temporary quarters. Here are a few things to know about keeping safe when instrumentation gets plugged into wiring that […]