Welcome to this Virtual Interview on power distribution network (PDN) integrity in embedded systems. We are here today with Heidi Barnes (HB), Senior Application Engineer for PathWave EDA for High-Speed Digital with Keysight Technologies. The following is from an interview with Heidi by EEWorld’s Jeff Shepard, where they discuss printed circuit boards, ground planes, and […]
FAQ
The difference between TDR instruments and scope-based TDR measurements
Often a transmission line is buried, concealed behind finish surfaces, or otherwise not readily accessible. So it is difficult to locate faults by means of visual inspection. It is, however, feasible to locate such discontinuities via a test instrument known as the time domain reflectometer (TDR). The TDR is sometimes compared to a radar installation, […]
A comparison of EMI test setups and specifications for automotive, industrial and defense applications, part 1: conducted emissions
by Timothy Hegarty, Applications Engineer, Texas Instruments This article compares electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements in automotive, industrial, and defense product family standards, specifically various test parameters, test equipment, test setups, and test methods [1-4] for conducted emissions (CEs). The comparison includes widely used dedicated standards in each industry: Comité International Spécial des Perturbations Radioélectriques (CISPR) […]
Unlicensed spectrum use: What’s the technology behind it?
Unlicensed LTE lets wireless carriers offload traffic to Wi-Fi frequencies, but it must coexist with Wi-Fi and not interfere. Here’s how it works.
ARB waveform generators and measuring amplifier gain
When it comes to amplification, the principal parameters are gain and fidelity of the output relative to the input. Gain, denoted by β (Greek letter beta), is the ratio of output voltage, current or power to input. An amplifier by definition has a power gain greater than one. Measurements that characterize amplifier gain serve as […]
How have drone sensors advanced?
Large Predator B drones, built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and first flown in 2001, are used by the military to perform multi-mission Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions over land or sea. Sensing payloads in the MQ-9A Predator B remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), include: Multi-Spectral Targeting System Model B (MTS-B) Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Lynx multi-mode […]
What is IOTA?
IOTA is a cryptocurrency designed to add economics to the internet of machines. IOTA is quite different from thousands of other cryptocurrencies. Some key highlights of IOTA are as follows: IOTA is specifically designed for the Internet of Things. IOTA does not use blockchain technology; instead, it is based on Tangle technology. IOTA has theoretically […]
Analyzing different proximity sensor technologies
Utilized as a no-touch method to provide either precise distance measurement to an object or simple “there/not there” logic, proximity sensors span a wide range of technologies, each offering their own set of operating principles, advantages, and drawbacks. Some of the most commonly found technologies in portable or small embedded systems include ultrasonic, photoelectric, laser […]
mmWave signals: The effect on PCB traces, cables and connectors
The use of mmWave technology is growing across various applications, from 5G telephony to automotive systems and drones. At mmWave frequencies, Signal Integrity (SI) is a major concern. SI measures the signal’s ability to propagate without distortion or undue losses. It measures the quality, or distortion, of the signal passing through the printed circuit board…
Undersea optical-fiber cables do double-duty as seismic sensors, Part 2: Application
A research team has devised and tested a scheme based on advanced optical-physics principles, which uses active submarine optical-fiber data cables also to sense ocean-floor earthquakes and ocean-surface swells. The previous part of this article established the context for “piggybacking” seismic-sensing capabilities onto an existing undersea fiber-optic cable. This part looks in more detail at […]