“Supercapacitors” (or electric double layer capacitors) have been around for a long time. Early uses were as an alternative to rechargeable batteries for retaining memory contents in domestic equipment. They were even made to look a bit like batteries in some cases, rather than electrolytic capacitors, such as these Panasonic RG series ones: This particular […]
basics
FAQ: Trade-offs in reducing noise with linear power supplies vs. switch mode power supplies
Some analog applications are very noise sensitive such as medical equipment, communications equipment, instrumentation, or test and measurement equipment. Elimination of all potential noise sources in a circuit may be necessary, including conducted, radiated, and thermal noise. One possible source of conducted noise can be found in the power supply bus. Eliminating this noise […]
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FAQ: What is machine learning?
Machine learning, as a type of Artificial Intelligence, is typically used to create models with which to analyze data. Machine learning is a programming process whereby instead of coding a program as with traditional computer architectures, the computer is fed from dozens to thousands of sample data sets that demonstrate what will and will not […]
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FAQ: Should I use an op amp as a comparator?
Perhaps you have a quad pack of op amps, are using only three, and need a single comparator. It might be tempting to use the remaining op amp as a comparator, after all, both have high gain, low offset, and high common-mode rejection. But it’s easier said than done, because a comparator and an op […]
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FAQ: Writing Efficient C code for Embedded Systems
Different architectures have different “natural” data sizes. Most MCUs have the same CPU width as data bus width, which makes sense. Some MCUs might have memory that is not consistent with their available data bus width, however. In other words, for some MCUs, there can be a difference between the CPU’s “natural” word length and […]
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How to measure current
If you want to measure the current taken by some circuitry, the normal way is to use a small resistance in the circuit and measure the voltage drop across the resistor. For AC currents, you can use a current transformer, but that is a bulky approach for AC applications. For DC current, particularly where you […]
FAQ: Converting current to voltage; the role of transimpedance amplifiers
A transimpedance amplifier (TIA) converts current to voltage. Transimpedance amplifiers can be used to process the current output of photodiodes, pressure transducers, accelerometers, and other types of sensors…
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FAQ: Microcontrollers with Neural Networks: What are they?
Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are silicon-based processor architectures inspired by, and very simply patterned after, the human brain, which learns by example and “prunes” connections that don’t get…
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Basics of understanding power-factor and power-factor correction
In qualitative terms, power factor is a measure of the congruency of voltage and current ac waveforms imposed by a load on the power mains. Ignoring the relative…
FAQ: Ground rules: earth, chassis, and signal ground
In analog design, the relationship of a signal to ground is of fundamental concern (and can create issues in digital designs, too.) However, “ground” as a concept can…
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