Electronics design ideas 2019

Innovation is critical in today’s engineering world and it demands technical knowledge and the highest level of creativity. Seeing compact articles that solve design problems or display innovative ways to accomplish design tasks can help to fuel your electronics creativity.

You can find many very circuit ideas at ePanorama.net circuits page.

In addition to this links to interesting electronics design related articles worth to check out can be posted to the comments section.

 

 

 

 

1,841 Comments

  1. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Easy Galvanic Isolation
    Sept. 28, 2022
    Transformers are generally used to create this electrical separation. Presented here are two flyback-converter options that can be applied to facilitate the design process.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21251645/analog-devices-easy-galvanic-isolation?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS220922091&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

    Reply
  2. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Choosing a Capacitor for Use as a Switch-Mode Power Supply Filter
    Two key functions of switch-mode power supply (SMPS) filter caps are input filtering and output filtering.
    https://www.mobilityengineeringtech.com/component/content/article/adt/pub/features/articles/12259

    Reply
  3. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Could a larger capacitor, at the output of the SMPS, destroy components with larger current draw when its being charged?
    https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/383325/could-a-larger-capacitor-at-the-output-of-the-smps-destroy-components-with-lar

    Since I have a bunch (>100pcs) of 100uF, 16V, electrolitic caps laying around, I would like to use them to store a of bit current at the exit of thesse two switching converters.

    I understand that using a big capacitor is better if you have an instant and huge current need, but I do not know what happends when you start everything up.

    Would a 100uF electrolitic capacitor draw an extremly high current at startup, as all capacitors do when they are being charged up and therefore would it destroy the IC or the inductor or would it be just fine because it’s only high current for a fraction of a second?

    No the IC would protect itself and, in addition, the LT8364 has a programmable soft-start option:

    For the TPS62125, if you read the data sheet it tells you that there is internal current limiting circuit (max 900 mA) – see page 5 of the data sheet – this is to prevent the inductor going into saturation primarily but serves the purpose you appear to want.

    There is also a 200 us output voltage ramp time to reach 1.8 volts and this means that dV/dt = 9 V / ms so, if the capacitor is (say) 100 uF, the current cannot be higher than 0.9 amps (coincidentally as per the current limit circuit).

    Most integrated converters have soft-start and/or cycle-by-cycle current limit. So in general no, nothing will be destroyed with large output capacitance. (Read the datasheet.)

    However, that doesn’t mean that the converter will be stable or have good performance. You should check the datasheets for the parts to see how to select the appropriate amount of output capacitance AND then do some testing to see how it performs.

    The exception may be the boost converter where inrush flows directly through the inductor and diode or sync FET to the output caps. In that case depending on the component ratings you could conceivably damage components. If not from the inrush sometimes from the converter starting while the inductor is still saturated from the inrush. This is common in PFC boost converters.

    Could a larger capacitor, at the output of the SMPS, destroy components with larger current draw when its being charged?
    https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/383325/could-a-larger-capacitor-at-the-output-of-the-smps-destroy-components-with-lar

    Reply
  4. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Could a larger capacitor, at the output of the SMPS, destroy components with larger current draw when its being charged?
    https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/383325/could-a-larger-capacitor-at-the-output-of-the-smps-destroy-components-with-lar

    Since I have a bunch (>100pcs) of 100uF, 16V, electrolitic caps laying around, I would like to use them to store a of bit current at the exit of thesse two switching converters.

    I understand that using a big capacitor is better if you have an instant and huge current need, but I do not know what happends when you start everything up.

    Would a 100uF electrolitic capacitor draw an extremly high current at startup, as all capacitors do when they are being charged up and therefore would it destroy the IC or the inductor or would it be just fine because it’s only high current for a fraction of a second?

    No the IC would protect itself and, in addition, the LT8364 has a programmable soft-start option:

    For the TPS62125, if you read the data sheet it tells you that there is internal current limiting circuit (max 900 mA) – see page 5 of the data sheet – this is to prevent the inductor going into saturation primarily but serves the purpose you appear to want.

    There is also a 200 us output voltage ramp time to reach 1.8 volts and this means that dV/dt = 9 V / ms so, if the capacitor is (say) 100 uF, the current cannot be higher than 0.9 amps (coincidentally as per the current limit circuit).

    Most integrated converters have soft-start and/or cycle-by-cycle current limit. So in general no, nothing will be destroyed with large output capacitance. (Read the datasheet.)

    However, that doesn’t mean that the converter will be stable or have good performance. You should check the datasheets for the parts to see how to select the appropriate amount of output capacitance AND then do some testing to see how it performs.

    The exception may be the boost converter where inrush flows directly through the inductor and diode or sync FET to the output caps. In that case depending on the component ratings you could conceivably damage components. If not from the inrush sometimes from the converter starting while the inductor is still saturated from the inrush. This is common in PFC boost converters.

    Could a larger capacitor, at the output of the SMPS, destroy components with larger current draw when its being charged?
    https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/383325/could-a-larger-capacitor-at-the-output-of-the-smps-destroy-components-with-lar

    Reply
  5. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Making Zero the Hero in AC-DC Conversion
    Oct. 4, 2022
    Zero voltage switching in power-conversion applications holds the key to efficiency improvements. Here we look at how ZVS-based designs can deliver those improvements across the widest possible load range.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21252055/eggtronic-making-zero-the-hero-in-acdc-conversion?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS220929075&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

    What you’ll learn:

    ZVS and its benefits.
    New power-conversion architectures that optimize efficient power conversion by supporting ZVS soft switching.

    In recent years, the discussion has grown about zero voltage switching (ZVS) as the ideal route to increase the efficiency of ever-higher-frequency ac-dc power-conversion designs without impacting EMI performance. However, achieving such “soft” switching is difficult, especially across the varying range of loads and input and output voltages that are now common in applications such as universal USB chargers.

    Many conventional LLC converters, for example, use resonant ZVS to achieve high efficiencies at high and full loads for a given input voltage. Unfortunately, they suffer as the load reduces or the input voltage changes, and hard switching losses start to become more prevalent.

    This article explores ZVS and its benefits and look at the challenges of delivering ZVS in conventional ac-dc conversion applications. It also introduces techniques that “flatten” the efficiency curve by enabling ZVS soft switching across a much wider load range and input and output voltage ranges, with practical examples.

    Hard switching has a number of downsides, including the energy dissipation, the stress put on the MOSFET, and the EMI generated, which is proportional to the voltage across the MOSFET (VDS) and the switching frequency.

    Quasi-resonant (QR) flyback converters go some way to minimizing the losses and reducing EMI by ensuring that the turn-on occurs when VDS is at a minimum—or in a “valley”—hence the name “valley switching.” At full load and with U.S. input voltage, the QR flyback has excellent performance, as it’s almost ZVS. However, in other working conditions, the valley is too far from zero, and it incurs hard-switching losses.

    Soft-switching (or ZVS) techniques are able to ensure that switching only occurs when VDS = 0. In this approach, the MOSFET turn-on transition losses (which are the most critical losses) are zero, irrespective of the operating frequency and input voltage.

    Soft switching significantly improves efficiency and brings other benefits such as elimination of COSS discharge losses and high peak currents. The gate drive also is somewhat simplified as there are no “Miller” effects. Another possible enhancement is the addition of an regenerative clamp that can be used to recover energy from leakage inductance, while also suppressing voltage spikes on the main MOSFET.

    With the huge breadth of power requirements, it’s important that the solution is tailored to the application. Relatively small differences in requirements can lead to significant differences in results.

    New Ways to Implement ZVS

    One example of the latest methods that’s being used to address ZVS is the EcoVoltas family developed by Eggtronic. It maximizes efficiency across the load range while minimising standby power consumption, facilitating the ability to meet modern efficiency requirements.

    To address higher-power applications that require front-end power factor correction (PFC), Eggtronic’s SmartEgg (Fig. 1) is a single-stage PFC + ac-dc converter that acts simultaneously as a PFC and isolated regulator. A traditional approach requires three stages (boost PFC, dc-dc buck, and resonant LLC), so the removal of one stage immediately provides efficiency gains. SmartEgg is suited to applications in the 100-W to 1-kW range, including high performance laptops, TV panels, and home appliances.

    Reply
  6. Tomi Engdahl says:

    How to Overcome the Limits of Boost Converters
    Oct. 5, 2022
    When designing and evaluating boost converters, sometimes the intended output voltage isn’t realized. Instead, it has a lower value than desired.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21252189/analog-devices-how-to-overcome-the-limits-of-boost-converters?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS220929075&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

    What you’ll learn:

    The impact of voltage gain on boost converters.
    The roles played by an inductor’s load resistance and DCR.

    Boost converters are used to generate high output voltages from low input voltages. Such a voltage conversion can easily be done with a switching regulator that has a boost topology. However, the voltage gain has a natural limit: The voltage gain is the ratio of output voltage to input voltage. If 24 V is generated from 12 V, then the voltage gain is 2.

    To generate a high voltage, the duty cycle increases to values close to 1, but they never reach 1.

    By selecting a boost converter with a high maximum duty cycle, it may seem possible to generate a high output voltage from a low supply voltage. However, there’s more to it than that. Besides the duty-cycle limits, the maximum possible voltage gain also must be considered.

    In conclusion, the design of a circuit with a boost topology must always include determination of the maximum possible voltage gain. Interestingly, this depends on the load resistance—i.e., the output current—and the DCR of the inductor. If it turns out that a required voltage gain doesn’t seem possible, a larger inductor with a lower DCR can be selected.

    Reply
  7. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Low-RF Coaxial Reed Relay Handles 3 GHz, Cuts Insertion Losses
    Oct. 6, 2022
    This RF-friendly, tiny reed relay can solve many switching challenges, including dense ATE-interface board demands.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/test-measurement/article/21252276/electronic-design-lowrf-coaxial-reed-relay-handles-3-ghz-cuts-insertion-losses?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS220929077&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

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  8. Tomi Engdahl says:

    #1279 Three Transistor Voltage Regulator
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1IMOOjEVGE

    A nice circuit used in the Tektronix 576 curve tracer

    Reply
  9. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Solving RF Isolation Issues with RF Inductors
    Sept. 29, 2022
    From television/streaming to fiber transmission networks, the bandwidth of data communications is increasing, and the integrity of RF signals has become a major design concern.
    https://www.mwrf.com/learning-resources/white-paper/whitepaper/21251690/solving-rf-isolation-issues-with-rf-inductors?pk=CoilcraftOct22ERE1-10122022&utm_source=RF+MWRF+Sponsor+Paid+Promos&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221005066&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

    Reply
  10. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Novel Flyback-Based Switching Architecture Offers Efficient Alternative to LLC Converters
    Oct. 10, 2022
    Delivering a lower-cost, higher-efficiency option, Pulsiv’s new converter targets 100- to 250-W applications but could scale higher to support 10 kW or more.

    https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21252461/electronic-design-novel-flybackbased-switching-architecture-offers-efficient-alternative-to-llc-converters?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221006038&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

    Pulsiv, a Cambridge-based startup, announced its new power electronics technology that uses a unique algorithm-based switching technique to convert ac to dc. Now, low-cost flyback architectures can be used at power levels well above the 70- to 80-W limit, which usually requires more complex and costly resonant converters.

    The inductor-less switching architecture eliminates the need for a conventional boost/PFC stage, allows for the use of lower-cost components, and maintains high efficiency down to as low as 2% of rated load (85% at 1%). Furthermore, it eliminates the need for a low-power standby supply for most applications. While the initial reference designs target applications in the 100- to 250-W range, Pulsiv said the technology can be scaled to support much larger applications of 10 kW or more.

    Branded as the Pulsiv OSMIUM switching architecture, it performs highly efficient ac-dc conversion using an application-specific MCU to control two power switches (S¹ and S² in Fig. 1). The switches alternately charge and discharge a small storage capacitor according to an algorithm that smooths inrush and output currents.

    To demonstrate the technology’s advantages, Pulsiv designed a universal-input, single-switch, 150-W flyback power-supply design that delivers 97.5% average (99.5% peak) front-end efficiency while maintaining 90% at just 2 W (Fig. 3). A 240-W interleaved flyback is currently being developed and work is underway to showcase reference designs with even higher power capability.

    Since the OSMIUM microcontrollers (PSV-AD-150 and PSV-AD-250 sampling now) don’t directly determine output power, they can be used as a platform for any application requiring 1 W to 10 kW by adjusting only three system components and connecting a suitable dc-dc converter. In addition, the architecture can be combined with commodity flyback dc-dc converters to serve as a lower-cost alternative to LLC solutions.

    Engineering samples of the OSMIUM microcontrollers will be available through a network of distribution partners. Pulsiv also will be offering the PSV-AD-250-DS development system that can be used by engineers to evaluate the technology. All that’s required to produce a complete power-supply prototype is to add a suitable dc-dc converter.

    https://pulsiv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2022/08/PSV-AD-250-DS-DA-datasheet-r1.0-240822.pdf

    Reply
  11. Tomi Engdahl says:

    New Supercapacitors will replace Batteries? Stress Testing LICs (Lithium-Ion Capacitors)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlON0Uj2Zk0

    In this video we will be having a closer look at a new type of supercapacitor. They are called Lithium-Ion Capacitor or LIC and they have some things in common with the well known Lithium-Ion batteries. But will they replace them? What advantages & disadvantages do they come with? When to use them? Let’s find out.

    0:00 Big Advantage of Supercapacitors
    1:43 Intro
    2:47 Lithium Ion Capacitor Basics
    5:08 Comparison Supercap, LIC, Batteries
    6:09 Stress Testing LICs (Current Limit)
    7:12 LICs Application
    8:40 Final Verdict

    Reply
  12. Tomi Engdahl says:

    DIY AAA supercapacitor battery
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lzK04SD5Z4

    This AAA battery made of supercapacitor has 3 characteristics: one is fast charging speed; the other is almost unlimited cycle life; third, it is environmentally friendly and pollution-free.
    But this battery has a relatively small capacity and is not suitable for electrical appliances with high power consumption. It is suitable for electrical appliances with low power consumption, such as TV remote controls.

    Reply
  13. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Super capacitor run a 6000W pure sine wave inverter | High power ultracapacitor as battery
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dovehLroagY

    33000 Farad Super Capacitor Pack , 20900A , How strong​?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf5mPFl1DFY

    Reply
  14. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Campervan DIY battery build HUGE POWER!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYx097cVR48

    Lithium Titanate Oxide battery build

    Around 9.5kWh capacity LTO chemistry

    The battery pack was designed so I could have started off with 55cells (5kWh) and later expand it by slotting in upto an extra 44 cells at a later date (when I had more coin), I managed to come up with the coin for a full pack for the build.

    Batteries seem solid, although I have seen occasional reports of these batteries venting online. I’m not sure if it was from abuse or design/manufacturing flaw. Will keep you updated with performance of these.

    Reply
  15. Tomi Engdahl says:

    $493 Aliexpress 45Ah Grade A, YinLong Lithium Titanate (LTO) Cell Testing
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK3X4vLWssA

    LTO pros and cons video: https://youtu.be/iOBSxEqXUQc
    LTO testing video: https://youtu.be/dA9G1NdNgBY

    Reply
  16. Tomi Engdahl says:

    DIY Batteryless Jump Box AKA Supercapacitor Jump Box
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMuZyCxtMug

    I’ve had these two supercapacitor strings sitting around for a year doing nothingso I decided to make a simple supercap jump box. The supercaps I used aregood for 4 cylinder cars. If you want to make something similar for V6, V8, or Diesel engines, I would reccomend getting some 3000F supercaps and running them in series since they have higher amperage and energy capacity.

    Supercapacitor for a jump start, is it any good? Autowit SuperCap 2 Lite review by WheelsAndMotors.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkrlspr1oWA

    Reply
  17. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Running 220V Lamp With Supercapacitor
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZOBe2aUujQ

    Running 220V AC Inverter Using16V 83F Supercapacitor
    I forgot to say that the battery life time is around 200 to 1000 cycles, but the Supercapacitrs reach to one million cycles, however the supercapacitor has high self discharge .

    Reply
  18. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Supercapacitor – “home made”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edv_ErbrdAo

    The first charge was at 2.1V, and lasted just 3 min, second charge was at 2.5V and lasted 16 min, for the next 8 cycles I will post the results shortly. Looks good so far…..

    Sealing the Battery or Supercapacitor
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLi1vsMu4R0

    Take your time when you seal your battery or supercapacitor. In this video I show you a nice project of sealing your batteries. I seal one of my prototype cell and I can say the the sealing is good, but like I say, take your time to make a good sealing.

    Reply
  19. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The Right Stuff: ESD protection for handling electronics
    Use a Seeed Studio ReComputer and FOMO to detect if an operator has the correct ESD tools to handle electronic components.
    https://www.hackster.io/justinelutz/the-right-stuff-esd-protection-for-handling-electronics-5b6a7f

    Reply
  20. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Why Does Current-Mode Control in Switching Regulators Matter?
    Oct. 18, 2022
    When it comes to the control aspect in switching regulators, current mode is often the preferred choice over voltage mode. This article looks at the multiple advantages—and some rectifiable disadvantages of this important specification.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21252975/analog-devices-why-does-currentmode-control-in-switching-regulators-matter?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221013057&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

    Reply
  21. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Tiny AI Cube Recognizes Audio Commands and Camera Images
    Oct. 11, 2022
    Maxim’s AI Cube packs in dual MAX78000 AI accelerators into this miniature reference design kit.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/kit-close-up/video/21251774/electronic-design-tiny-ai-cube-recognizes-audio-commands-and-camera-images

    Reply
  22. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Power-Density Techniques Using Integrated WBG Devices
    Sept. 30, 2022
    Integrating wide-bandgap devices into any power design, from industrial to robotics to automotive, greatly improves much-sought-after power density.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21251841/electronic-design-powerdensity-techniques-using-integrated-wbg-devices?utm_source=EG+ED+Auto+Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221019164&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

    What you’ll learn:

    How WGB devices surpass their silicon cousins in terms of speed, size, etc.
    What’s an IMD and what types of motors are used in these drives?
    A look at a full-bridge inverter design.
    The pervasiveness of WBG technology in electric transportation.

    Wide-bandgap (WBG) power transistors, especially those with 10 kV and above voltage capability, will enhance medium- and high-voltage systems. They will deliver unique capabilities to the design in ways that silicon could never achieve.

    However, such devices aren’t always easy drop-in replacements for silicon devices. Larger, more complex systems must be redesigned to integrate them.

    Reply
  23. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Joule thief circuits
    For reference: Original article (1999): https://imgur.com/r/electronics/Si5zW
    Big Clive applies the “Joule Thief” moniker: http://www.bigclive.com/joule.htm

    Reply
  24. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Bob Pease, along with Bob Widlar and Jim Williams are electronics design heroes.

    Reply
  25. Tomi Engdahl says:

    When applied to pharmaceuticals, the term “off-label” suggests the (frequently discovered) practical and beneficial uses for a drug that are different from the one it was originally developed for. This happens for electronic components too, such as the venerable CD4013B dual-D CMOS flip-flop. Despite the 4013’s labeling as a traditional bi-stable logic element, it nevertheless has terrific off-label potential as an analog part. …

    CMOS flip-flop used “off label” implements precision capacitance sensor
    https://www.edn.com/cmos-flip-flop-used-off-label-implements-precision-capacitance-sensor/

    Despite the 4013’s labeling as a traditional bi-stable logic element, it nevertheless has terrific off-label potential as an analog part.

    Figure 1 Circuit diagram with the CD4013B used as a capacitive humidity sensor.

    The relative difference between time constants R1tCx versus R1bCref forms the basis of the capacitance measurement.

    Detection and control of the level of liquid in a reservoir is another suitable application, as Cx increases because rising liquid level increases capacitance between the liquid and an insulated probe.

    Reply
  26. Tomi Engdahl says:

    IBIS Modeling (Part 1): Why IBIS Modeling is Critical to Design Success
    Oct. 27, 2022
    Beyond saving cost, designers using IBIS models can foresee and address signal-integrity issues before proceeding to board prototyping or fabrication, shortening board development cycles and thus speeding up time-to-market.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/test-measurement/article/21253556/analog-devices-ibis-modeling-part-1-why-ibis-modeling-is-critical-to-design-success?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221020027&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

    Reply
  27. Tomi Engdahl says:

    What’s the Difference Between MOV Technologies for Circuit Protection?
    Oct. 25, 2022
    How have MOV and GDT surge-protection devices evolved? This article looks at these devices and how to determine the level of surge-protection performance needed for a given application while also meeting space-saving or budgetary goals.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21253405/bourns-inc-whats-the-difference-between-mov-technologies-for-circuit-protection?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221020026&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

    Reply
  28. Tomi Engdahl says:

    New 400 kHz Current Sensors Enable More Sustainable Designs in Switch-Mode Power Designs
    https://www.allegromicro.com/en/insights-and-innovations/technical-documents/acs37002?utm_source=electronicdesign.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Personif.ai&utm_term=&utm_content=pcb-current-sensing

    Driven primarily by cost and shrinking PCB area, system designers are opting for smaller passive components and up-integrated sensor solutions in their switched-mode power designs. The space savings of smaller capacitors and inductors comes at the expense of efficiency in the form of switching loss, as higher switching speeds are required to generate an equivalent level of power.

    The availability of wide bandgap devices (SiC, GaN, and GaAs) has reduced the impact of switching losses on efficiency. As such, switching frequencies are on the rise in many power applications, including DC to DC converters, solar MPPT and inverters, telecom and server power supplies, power distribution units (PDUs), uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and charging stations.

    With these new gains in efficiency and space savings, the high-speed trend is expected to continue, creating new requirements for current monitoring and protection. Allegro’s broad family of integrated Hall-effect current sensor ICs have kept pace with this high-speed trend by offering innovative high-speed solutions without sacrificing on size, efficiency, or performance.

    Reply
  29. Tomi Engdahl says:

    This Company is “Open” to Silicon Photonics
    Oct. 25, 2022
    OpenLight’s Tom Mader talks about silicon photonics and advances in lasers, and the launch of his new company.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/communications/article/21253372/electronic-design-this-company-is-open-to-silicon-photonics?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221020028&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

    Reply
  30. Tomi Engdahl says:

    How [NOT] to MAX test a power supply!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYLUN5zZcA8

    How hard can it be to max power test a power supply? After finding out my laboratory power supply will deliver more volts than advertised, I have decided to test how many watts it will deliver. The issue is that I don’t know how? In this video, I will give it some attempts and learn from the mistakes… Will the power supply deliver the watts it is supposed to?

    Reply
  31. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Electronic Design: Then and Now
    Nov. 7, 2022
    We take a look back at Electronic Design issues over the years as we wrap up our 70th anniversary.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/blogs/altembedded/article/21254239/electronic-design-electronic-design-then-and-now?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221103026&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R

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