Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the venerable electromechanical RF switch – still widely used in some applications, where it is the only viable option – and use of PIN diodes as RF switches. This part looks at analog and MEMS-based switches. Q: What is an analog switch? A: It’s conceptually straightforward: in basic […]
RF switches, Part 1: Mechanical and PIN-diode switches
There’s a ubiquitous and increasing need to switch RF signals ranging into the tens of GHz; four basic switch technologies – electromechanical, PIN diode, analog, and MEMS – are available, each with different features and capabilities. The need to switch RF signals has been a necessary design function since the earliest days of “wireless.” This […]
Key factors to consider when choosing a microcontroller
When designing an embedded system with an MCU, which one should you pick? This guide provides you with a quick overview to help you narrow down your choices. A microcontroller (MCU), is the smallest and most basic computer. Running on a single chip, it has a CPU, memories (RAM and ROM), and interfaces (input/output ports) […]
Why wide bandgap HEMPTs excel at efficient power conversion
High electron mobility transistors reduce power supply size thanks to a special make-up that eliminates sources of energy loss. Andrea Bricconi | Wei Deng, Infineon Technologies AG It is an exciting time for power supply designers. We are learning how devices based on wide bandgap (WBG) materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride-on-silicon […]
Image gallery: Smart, small, and integrated at electronica 2018
Over 80,000 attendees from 80 countries spent four days at electronica 2018 in Munich last month combing 17 halls, 182K square meters of exhibition space, and meeting with as many of the 3,100 exhibitors as possible. The driving force for many of the new products introduced at the trade fair was, again, the need to […]
Teardown: Inside the PlayStation 4 game box
We take a look at the venerable Sony game box with an eye toward power handling and architecture. Chances are that if you’re a gamer, you’re experiencing your video games on a Sony PlayStation 4. To date, over 75 million PlayStation 4 boxes have sold. The closest competitor is the Xbox One (36.03 million) and […]
Single-channel IGBT/MOSFET gate-driver ICs get UL 1577 certification
Infineon Technologies AG now offers the EiceDRIVER 1EDC Compact 300 mil family of single channel gate driver ICs. With an insulation test voltage of V ISO = 2500 V(rms) for 60 sec these galvanically isolated drivers are recognized under UL 1577. Due to their high switching frequency of up to 1,000 kHz they do not only drive IGBTs, […]
Fully integrated SVID and PVID-enabled voltage regulator brings high efficiency in a small package
An Integrated Point-of-Load (IPOL) family combines ease-of-use with high power density. It is said to be the industry’s first fully integrated regulator offering PMBUS, SVID and PVID functions for powering Intel CPU POL rails, chip-sets and ASIC/FPGA. With 50% space saving compared to alternative external power solutions, this is said to be the smallest solution […]
New 3D image sensor enables easy smartphone unlock by face recognition
A new 3D image sensor in the REAL3 chip family, based on Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology, makes possible the world’s smallest camera module for integration in smartphones with a footprint of less than 12 x 8 mm, including the receiving optics and VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) illumination. Compared to other 3D sensor principles, such as stereoscopic […]
Sensors in the driving seat
Advances in sensor technology help make autonomous vehicles safe and reliable. RALF BORNEFELD | Infineon Technologies Many drivers on today’s roads are already supported by advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) for functions such as parking assist, cruise control and automated lighting. Now, more intelligent and connected environmental sensors are making autonomous vehicles the next logical step […]
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