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It may be small, but it’s powerful
In a world where memory and pin count increase on an almost daily basis, we sometimes hear questions asking why we continue to develop and release microcontrollers (MCUs) with only a few kilobytes...
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How to build a monitor and control solution for voltage regulators
In my last post, I talked about how to use a precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to margin a voltage regulator like a low-dropout regulator (LDO) or switch mode power supply (SMPS), providing...
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Output inductor considerations in a synchronous buck converter
Inductors are an essential component of switching voltage regulators and synchronous buck converters, as shown in Figure 1. In all switching regulators, the output inductor stores energy from the power...
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Wireless power during the zombie apocalypse
bq501210 evaluation module (EVM)Did you know, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a web page from the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response to address zombie preparedness....
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How an eFuse can help provide robust industrial power path protection
Any electronic systems are often subjected to harsh environments and threats such as electrostatic discharge (ESD), electrical fast transient (EFT) and lightning surges. Power designers must prioritize...
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The other motors in electric vehicle systems (part 3)
The switching of the three-phase inverter needs to be controlled by digital logic – typically a programmable microcontroller (MCU) - to regulate the torque or velocity of the motor while maximizing the...
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Trends in building automation: predictive maintenance
Have you ever wondered where manufacturers get those nice rounded-off numbers for maintenance timelines? Who decided that every 5,000 miles was the best time to change your vehicle’s oil? The truth is,...
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How to meet power sequencing requirements with a PMIC
When designing a power solution for an application processor, your first considerations are often the number of rails needed, the output voltage and the maximum load current. There are tools like the...
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Feel the chemistry: Teacher formulates student success in STEM
Step into Jose Delgado’s lab at Bryan Adams High School, and you’ll feel the chemistry.The kids in his class feed off his energy and passion for his subject matter, and that energy is a catalyst for...
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How to create a dynamic power solution for stepper motors, relays and LEDs
As you can see from my previous blog, my dad has always been a great source of inspiration and knowledge for me. There is one piece of advice that keeps coming back to me: “Measure twice and cut once.”...
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Logic Gates and Switches with Ioff – empowering you to power down
Many modern high-speed systems like enterprise servers or network switches require continuous operation without affecting signal integrity,especially while swapping hardware. One of the essential and...
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Increase the reliability of industrial drives with an EMC-compliant resolver...
Resolvers provide accurate and high-reliable position feedback in industrial drives like servo drives, especially in harsh industrial environments with dust and temperatures above 150°C. A resolver is...
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How to read motor velocity using the quadrature emulation interface
What is quadrature encoder emulation? As the name suggests, it emulates the output of a quadrature encoder. Motor-position sensors (such as a resolver) that support the quadrature emulation interface...
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Don’t power your FPGA like this!
Oops. I attached my field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to the output of my DC/DC converter and now the DC/DC won’t start. When I look at the circuit with an oscilloscope, I see Figure 1. The output...
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Power Tips: Improve power supply reliability with high voltage GaN devices
Gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistors (HEMT) improve converter efficiency, with a lower gate charge, lower output charge and lower on-resistance then silicon FETs with the same...
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I got an interview! Now what?
Congratulations! You’ve scored an interview with a company on your wish list, and are one step closer to getting an offer. So now what do you do? Prepare! The process of preparing for the interview...
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Real-time temperature sensing with dual-mode connectivity
Today, there are many applications that require accurate and continuous temperature sensing to protect a product or improve system performance. Temperature sensors now have the ability to deliver...
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Updating those hard-to-reach industrial machines
Have you ever found yourself needing to update firmware on a product that has been released for field operation? Lifetime dependability is not guaranteed after all, a software bug could be discovered...
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PMBus benefits in multi-rail systems – Part 1
You can find hardware systems with multiple low-voltage rails that need regulation, sequencing and monitoring in cloud infrastructure equipment like base stations, networking switches, servers and...
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How accurate is your battery fuel gauge? Part 2/2
Step-by-step calculation of gauging accuracy and other factors affecting accuracyIn part 1 of this series, I discussed the difference between measurement accuracy and gauging accuracy. I highlighted...
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