Digital power is not a monolithic technology, but a common element in almost all digital power converters is a communication bus, usually based on the PMBus protocol. This FAQ delves into the numerous hardware embodiments and variations of digital power. Part 2 will dig into the operation of the PMBus protocol and the associated SMBus […]
FAQ
How to design modular DC-DC systems, Part 4: Safety protection systems
The previous tutorials in this series detailed the practical design considerations of utilizing power modules for designing power delivery networks (PDNs). Once a designer has chosen appropriate DC-DC modules, designed filters for the input and output of the modules, and provided for the overall stability of the system, the next area of concern is safety. […]
Detecting gravitational waves
Gravitational waves were first proposed by Henri Poincaré in 1905 and further described in Albert Einstein’s 1916 General Theory of Relativity. Gravitational Waves are powerful perturbations of the space-time continuum. However, the sources of gravitational waves we know about are enormously distant and therefore faint by the time they reach earth–like EM radiation, their intensity […]
Battery life analysis and maximization for wireless IoT sensor nodes and wearables
In addition to proper hardware design and power consumption testing, an accurate estimation of battery life is an important aspect of designing wireless Internet of Things (IoT) sensor nodes and wearables. For some medical or industrial devices, in particular, users’ lives can be at stake if the battery does not live up to expectations. Some […]
Batteries and charging for wireless IoT nodes and wearables
Battery selection for a given wireless Internet of Things (IoT) node or wearables design is complex. Among the important factors are: how long the device is expected to operate with a single battery; the choice between various primary and secondary battery chemistries; the nominal and cut-off voltage of the electronics; the energy/current consumption profile, the […]
Power consumption testing for wireless IoT sensor nodes and wearables
Part one of this FAQ series focused on the various types of components available for designing power systems for wireless Internet of Things (IoT) sensor nodes, wearables, and similar applications. This FAQ focuses on measuring and validating the performance of those power systems. There are several instruments and approaches available for measuring and testing the […]
Power conversion considerations for wireless IoT sensor nodes and wearables
Power system considerations are an important aspect of all system designs. In the case of wireless Internet of Things (IoT) nodes and wearables, power system design is complex, with the need to balance numerous performance tradeoffs. It is critical to arrive at a successful design that maximizes both battery life and overall functionality. Fortunately, there […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 5: Advances and competition
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Of course, there were also significant technological advances required in many areas, including designing and building longer-life electronics despite the unavoidable effects of space radiation […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 4: Lessons learned
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Today, Iridium is a viable mobile, satellite-based, which handles voice and data. As with standard cellular systems, its users have little or no idea of […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 3: Very nearly crash and burn
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Iridium’s launch, crash, and nearly burn (literally) The Iridium communications service was initiated on November 1, 1998, with a call by then-Vice President Al Gore. […]