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 […]
Optocouplers, Part 1: Principles and usefulness
The optocoupler — also called an optoisolator — is among the most useful, versatile, problem-solving components available to the design engineer. This small non-monolithic device does one thing and does it well, with minimal complications in most cases and no software. This FAQ will look at its operation principles, key parameters, and applications of this […]
Getting started in electronics: core components
By “Spec“, Electro-Tech-Online forum member Often newbies ask, ‘How can I get started in electronics?‘ This is a big question, but the very short answer is, ‘Learn the two fundamental electronics laws (Kirchoff, Ohm), get a good book about electronics theory and practical, build some circuits, and make some measurements.’ Follow-on questions are, ‘What electronic […]
High-power precision shunt resistors incorporate bulk metal foil technology
The VPG Foil Resistors product group of Vishay Precision Group announced the global market launch of the Alpha Electronics FNP Series, a family of high-power precision shunt resistors. Design of the Alpha Electronics FNP Series incorporates VPG’s own proprietary Bulk Metal Foil technology for a low-temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) down to 0±1 ppm/°C, depending […]
The neglected resistor characteristics
We often take resistors for granted. They are one of the fundamental building blocks of electronics design but are often given little thought when choosing them. You will select a value and the tolerance, and probably briefly consider the power dissipation and provided that isn’t very high you will most likely be picking all your […]
Non-magnetic thin film chip resistors deliver ratings to 6 W in 1206 and 2512 cases
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. introduced a new series of high-power, surface-mount, precision non-magnetic thin film chip resistors. Built on aluminum nitride substrates, the Vishay Dale Thin Film PCNM series…
New high-accuracy digital ambient light sensor
The Optoelectronics group of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has introduced a new high-accuracy digital ambient light sensor for consumer and industrial applications. The Vishay Semiconductors VEML6030 combines a highly…
Surface-mount transmissive optical sensors
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has introduced two new AEC-Q101-qualified surface-mount transmissive optical sensors for automotive and industrial applications. Offered in a compact 5.5 mm by 4 mm by 5.7…
