The well-known and extensively analyzed lumped-element bandpass filter is generally not suitable for the RF/microwave region, but there are many distributed-element, energy-based alternatives. Just say the word “filters,” and for many engineers, the mention of this topic stirs a mix of feelings ranging from fear to relief. Why fear? Because filters as a topic in […]
FAQ
The hot and cold of thermocouples
The common temperature probe contains a thermocouple consisting of two dissimilar metals welded together to form an electrical junction. A voltage that varies with temperature is generated. Slightly less accurate than resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), thermocouples cover a wide temperature range and respond quickly. Combinations of different metals create different voltage responses. All dissimilar […]
How to select components for a digital-controlled Totem-Pole PFC
By Bill Luo (Luo Zhizheng), Sr FAE, ACEINNA Transducer Systems and Jason Zhang (Zhang Liang), AE Director, Shenzhen Advantaged Power Limited There is a lot of attention being paid to advanced power systems. Energy efficiency has become a critical capability in today’s world, due to pressures from every sector of the market. To achieve substantial […]
Rudiments of radiated EMI/EMC
Radiated emissions standards are generally more focused on higher-frequency noise sources. At about 30MHz, there is a transition between concern with conducted and radiated emissions. Above that frequency, conducted emissions are not usually a major problem. And below 30MHz, the various interconnects and conductors in most electronic systems are not effective antennas for emitting radiated […]
Lasers and how to measure their output
Laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Lasers, of course, started out as comprised of discrete components. The most basic laser consists of a cylinder containing the lasing medium, a material that emits light when exposed to an outside source of energy. The gain medium can be gas, liquid, solid […]
How to achieve mass market fixed wireless access with fiber-like speeds
by Kevin Tang, Sr. Director, Strategic Business Development, ON Semiconductor Market demand for higher bandwidth broadband services is on the rise, thanks to the rapid growth of the internet, social media, and online streaming services, especially as the number of broadband users per household increases and the trend of cord-cutting continues to accelerate. Across urban, […]
Conducted and coupled EMI/EMC concepts
In addition to the International Telecommunications Union (discussed in part 1 of this FAQ series), there are several organizations that define and regulate acceptable levels of conducted and radiated emissions from electronic devices. These various agencies have developed numerous standards generally based on the operational environment of the specific device. Effectively managing EMI is a […]
How to optimize building and home automation designs to be more energy-efficient
By Brian Dempsey, system design engineer, Texas Instruments The numbers are a wake-up call: According to the United Nations, the buildings and construction sector accounted for 36% of the world’s energy consumption in 2018, contributing to a worrisome carbon footprint. And those percentages continue to grow. As a result, the race is on. Industrial design […]
EMI, EMC, EMS, and the ITU
Controlling electromagnetic interference (EMI), also referred to as radio frequency interference (RFI), and minimizing electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS) are two important aspects of maintaining electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Ensuring electromagnetic compatibility at a specified level and under specific operating conditions is a common demand in the design of almost all electronic systems. Common terms used when discussing […]
Lasers, optics, electronics and more yield terahertz sources, Part 4 – Laughing gas
The terahertz part of the electromagnetic spectrum between millimeter waves and optical range remains a largely untapped, difficult-to-use resource; researchers are investigating different techniques for efficiently generating terahertz waves to promote the use of this part of the spectrum. Approach #3: Laughing Gas A team at MIT in close collaboration with one at nearby […]