Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo & Conference kicked off this week in Novi, Mich. near Detroit. Billed as a forum for electric, hybrid and plugin hybrid vehicle technology, it showcased technological developments along the supply chain including electrical powertrains and components, battery management systems, materials and equipment. Here are a few of the more […]
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Choosing a reference voltage for an ADC
Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) need a reference voltage (VREF) input in order to operate properly. ADCs convert analog inputs that can vary from zero volts on up to a maximum voltage level that is called the reference voltage. The reference voltage determines the ceiling of what the ADC can convert, and is essentially the yardstick against […]
Difference between fixed and floating point
Various types of processors (DSPs, MCUs, etc.) have the ability to do math using floating point numbers, but what exactly does this mean? In general, floating point math offers a wider range of numbers and more precision than fixed point math. Knowing the difference, and when to use which type of math can make a […]
Eye and Constellation Diagrams, Pt 2
Part 1 looked at the eye diagram, a simple yet powerful visual tool which reveals many specifics about the quality of a recovered bit stream. Part 2 looks at the constellation diagram, another powerful visual tool which is used to show the signal space of complex encoding schemes and relationship among the symbols. Q: Why […]
Measuring with spectrum analyzers
Modern bench-type and even hand-held oscilloscopes have spectrum analysis capability, providing great added versatility. They can view in rapid succession (or even simultaneously in split-screen format in a mixed-domain instrument) time domain and frequency domain displays of the same signal. Fourier theory tells us that any signal or function in the time domain can be […]
New manufacturing process for SiC power devices won’t be proprietary
Researchers from North Carolina State University say they have developed a new manufacturing process and chip design for silicon carbide (SiC) power devices. The process, called PRESiCE, was developed specifcially to make it easier for companies to enter the SiC marketplace and develop new products. “PRESiCE will allow more companies to get into the SiC […]
World’s First 3D robotic LED sign brightens up Times Square
Coca-Cola recently unveiled a new six-story digital sign in Times Square featuring 1,760 independently moving LED screens, choreographed to the content on display. Coke says Guinness World Records was on hand for the sign’s debut and awarded The Coca-Cola Company two record titles: The Largest 3D Robotic Billboard and The First 3D Robotic Billboard. Few […]
Your next hotel shuttle ride could be on an EV
A zero-emissions full electric system just became available for Ford Transit passenger wagon, van, cutaway and chassis cab models. The Ford Transit wagon is a vehicle that frequently finds use in airport shuttle and similar operations. Developed by Lightning Systems in partnership with controls maker New Eagle, The LightningElectric zero-emissions package is available for Ford […]
Measuring antenna properties
An antenna is simply a conductor or conductor array, usually metal. But how it is situated and terminated that determines its behavior in transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation. Let’s start with an antenna that is configured to transmit. An oscillating voltage applied at a terminal will cause current to flow through the antenna. A transmitting […]
Learning SMPS the hard way
By Tahmid, EDAboard.com forum member SMPS is the toughest section in power electronics. For this subject, you require additional knowledge for choosing the active and passive parts used in SMPS circuits. The special type of parts often required in power electronics (i.e. for low-frequency applications) may not be suitable in the case of SMPS. When […]