Part 1 of this three-part blog addressed air quality monitoring in cities and populated areas. Less densely populated areas such as a rain forest may require different approaches. In addition, water quality monitoring in outdoor locations as well as clean drinking water from processing stations provide additional sensing opportunities. Part 2 will address these areas. […]
FAQ
How to specify and use voltage references
Voltage references are small components that can have a significant impact, either positive or negative, on system performance. They are precision devices that maintain a constant voltage output even in the presence of changes in temperature, input voltage, and other external parameters. When measuring the analog world voltage, references ensure that data converters, detection circuits, […]
Why is connector pitch important?
Contributed by Frances Richards Knowing the connector pitch is vital to ensuring compatibility with the wire or cable being connected. When designing a circuit or purchasing either connectors or cables, the connector pitch must be specified to ensure a proper connection. First, let’s define pitch: A connector’s pitch refers to the distance measured from the […]
What’s the difference between transceivers and transponders?
Transceivers and transponders are types of communication devices. They can operate with RF or optical technologies. They are used in various environments, from terrestrial to undersea and outer space. Basic transceivers and transponders provide two-way links in various types of networks. Specialized devices like muxponders increase available bandwidth, extend network reach and improve network efficiency. […]
What is unshielded twisted pair cable and where is it used?
Contributed by Frances Richards Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable is a widely used data communication cable consisting of anywhere from two to 1800 unshielded twisted pairs of 100-ohm copper encased in an outer plastic jacket. This type of cable has no metallic shield, which keeps the diameter streamlined but offers minimal protection against electrical interference. […]
PCB design best practices for ECAD/MCAD collaboration
By Alex Grange, Siemens EDA As designs grow in scope and complexity, collaboration between the electronic and mechanical domains is even more important. For example, as PCB designs face tighter requirements, problems resulting from electromechanical interference are becoming more common. Handling these problems across disciplines requires constant collaboration and synchronized data. What isn’t working today […]
How does 5G’s O-RAN E2 interface work?
Open radio-access networks (Open RAN) disaggregate a cell tower’s baseband unit into three units. The 5G Open RAN architecture specified by 3GPP separates functions into a centralized unit (CU) and distributed unit (DU), where these functions were otherwise contained in the baseband unit, which also included the radio. These units provide network operators with the…
How does an acoustic camera work and what’s it good for?
Acoustic cameras consist of microphone arrays used to locate and characterize sounds. There are a variety of microphone array structures to support specific analysis needs. Some acoustic cameras also have an embedded visual camera to supply an image over which the acoustic localization information can be presented. Acoustic camera application examples range from analyzing noise […]
What are ten key parameters of audio system performance?
Ten key parameters of audio system performance include efficiency, frequency response, total harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, phase distortion, transient distortion, transient response, dynamic range, sound pressure level, and sound power level. This FAQ reviews how each of these parameters is specified and measured and closes with a look at how safe sound levels are specified […]
What are the types and uses of vibration sensors?
There’s a wide range of vibration sensor technologies, and each technology has unique performance characteristics that make it suited for a specific type of applications ranging from mobile devices to machine condition monitoring and automotive safety testing. This FAQ reviews vibration and accelerometer sensor technologies including charge mode versus voltage mode piezoelectric sensors, MEMS devices, […]