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
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/experiments/chpt-5/voltage-follower/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.xppower.com/resources/blog/using-y-rated-capacitors-in-medical-applications
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.topdiode.com/news/The_difference_between_Safety_capacitors_Class_X_-_Class_Y_.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/safety-capacitor-class-x-and-class-y-capacitors/
https://www.doeeet.com/content/eee-components/passives/x-and-y-safety-capacitor-applications-explained/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.vicorpower.com/resource-library/articles/back-to-basics-what-are-y-capacitors
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hardwarebee.com/WikiBee/y-capacitor/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The ABCs of Analog Signal-Path Design—and Coping with Today’s Challenges
March 29, 2023
The state of analog signal-path engineering hasn’t changed. Should we be worried?
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/test-measurement/article/21262952/electronic-design-the-abcs-of-analog-signalpath-designand-coping-with-todays-challenges?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230323065&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://community.element14.com/learn/learning-center/essentials/w/documents/28025/why-are-ferrites-needed-in-electronic-devices?CMP=SMA-FACEBOOK-PRG-COURSES-ESSENTIALS-WURTH-FERRITES-COMM&fbclid=IwAR0SYnH_C5n3PkQI0fPkJzr5_GRyOxUo9_NO8hihEFis5sWyj97EwPpQpJ4_aem_ARONI45QSmlY4D46lsMG73izglp3ReJzbuoYOWU2hb2m77zMf7mSj1QLj47yCP46IyF78t9Fh9MmvgRXoxAcmRjnkbwE-cJ8_WaAaBoaiJXVIO9cZPYXJuLAdulAq3rfZjk
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.edn.com/ungluing-a-gan-charger/
https://www.edn.com/the-diverging-worlds-of-sic-and-gan-semiconductors/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Clever Test Rig Clarifies Capacitor Rules-of-Thumb
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/30/clever-test-rig-clarifies-capacitor-rules-of-thumb/
https://jmw.name/projects/exploring-pdns/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Imitation Batteries Take on Testing of Portable IoT Devices
March 29, 2023
Keysight’s new battery emulator packs an electronic load and power supply that provides up to 200 W at a maximum of 30 V and 20 A.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/test-measurement/article/21262894/electronic-design-imitation-batteries-take-on-testing-of-portable-iot-devices
Tomi Engdahl says:
Power-Management ICs Take Care of High-Density Batteries
March 30, 2023
New battery-management ICs developed by Qorvo bring cell balancing, monitoring, and protection in a single package.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/power/article/21263059/electronic-design-powermanagement-ics-take-care-of-highdensity-batteries
Tomi Engdahl says:
Resistor-Capacitor (RC) Snubber Design for Power Switches
https://www.digikey.com/en/articles/resistor-capacitor-rc-snubber-design-for-power-switches
Tomi Engdahl says:
Synthesizer Build part-35: RESONANT LOPASS GATE (Buchla 292).
https://www.eddybergman.com/2020/10/synthesizer-build-part-35-resonant.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Poptronics/Experimenters-Handbook/Electronic-Experimenters-Handbook-1969-Spring.pdf
Tomi Engdahl says:
3 quiescent-current (Iq) specifications to understand
https://e2e.ti.com/blogs_/b/powerhouse/posts/3-quiescent-current-iq-specifications-you-need-to-understand?HQS=null-null-pwr-pwr_gen_3_specifications-asset-ta-ElectronicDesign_psfi_lowiq_l1-wwe_awr&DCM=yes&dclid=CPb32qyVof4CFYyvmgod_v0LMQ
A common definition of quiescent current (IQ) is the current drawn by an integrated circuit (IC) in a no-load and nonswitching but enabled condition. A broader and more useful way to think about it is that quiescent current is the input current consumed by an IC in any number of its ultra-low-power states.
For battery-powered applications, this input current comes from the battery, so it determines how long the battery operates before it either needs recharging (for rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion (Li-Ion) or nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH)) or replacing (for primary batteries, such as alkaline or lithium manganese dioxide (Li-MnO2)). For battery-powered applications that spend a large amount of their time in standby or sleep mode, IQ can impact the battery’s run time by years. For example, using an ultra-low-IQ buck converter like the 60-nA TPS62840 to power an always-on application, such as the smart meters shown in figure 1, enables 10 years of battery run time.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Basic Guidelines for Mixed-Signal PCB Layout Design
April 6, 2023
This article presents a practical approach to the layout design of mixed-signal boards, discussing component placement, board layering, and ground-plane considerations.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/analog/article/21263439/analog-devices-basic-guidelines-for-mixedsignal-pcb-layout-design?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230330036&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
What you’ll learn:
Considerations for dividing analog and digital blocks.
Decoupling techniques.
Breaking down the board layers.
How best to deal with grounding.
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Need for a New Power-Modeling Approach
April 7, 2023
Power, once considered an all-but afterthought in system design and well behind performance and area, now leads as the first consideration in PPA (power, performance, area).
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/power/article/21263499/innergy-systems-the-need-for-a-new-powermodeling-approach?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230406052&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
What you’ll learn:
Dynamic power consumption simulation across a range of stimulus representing real-world conditions and workloads is exploding.
“What-if” power exploration with numerous manual steps is difficult in the full-chip context that includes a mix of processors, bus activity, and peripherals using current power-analysis tools.
A new power-modeling approach will eliminate the SoC power simulation gap and reduce computation time so that all full-chip SoC stimulus scenarios can be used to ensure a design’s power coverage.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/resources/products-of-the-week/media-gallery/21263504/electronic-design-products-of-the-week-digital-dc-current-sensors-highdensity-connectors?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230406052&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R&id=21263504&slide=2
Digital DC Current Sensors Support Peaks of Up To 20 kA
A new series of isolated digital dc current sensors from Riedon are targeted at large-scale energy storage, renewable-energy infrastructure, industrial motor drives, building automation, and EV charging stations.
The SSD Smart Shunt series consists of system-in-package (SiP) devices that promise plug-and-play current measurements, battery voltage monitoring, and coulomb counting. Each part features a 16-bit automotive-grade MCU, a 24-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with buffered analog inputs for high-accuracy current measurement, and error-correction-code (ECC) flash-memory resources. For connectivity, the Smart Shunts include the RS-485 serial interface, which also can be configured as MODBUS RTU, and a second model with CAN bus.
Combining the high amperage capabilities of standard passive shunt resistors and the accuracy of Hall-effect sensors, the parts boast better accuracy, stability, and electrical isolation, while eliminating the need for periodic calibration. The new Smart Shunt devices have current-sensing capabilities rated from 100 A (2 kA peak) to 1 kA (20 kA peak). They’re claimed to have better than ±0.1% full-scale accuracy regardless of temperature fluctuations; full-scale linearity remains within a ±0.1% margin.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Offsetting an audio amplifier
https://paul-kemble.tripod.com/sound7e.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.rigolna.com/rf-basics-technology-guide/?utm_source=ED&utm_medium=personif&utm_campaign=RF+Tech
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.rigolna.com/emc-pre-compliance-testing-visualization-validation-and-debug/?utm_source=ED&utm_medium=personif&utm_campaign=EMC
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://arworld.us/emc-101/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ed&utm_campaign=0423_emc_101
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/test-measurement/article/21262952/electronic-design-the-abcs-of-analog-signalpath-designand-coping-with-todays-challenges?utm_source=EG+ED+Connected+Solutions&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230323078&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/techxchange/articles/whitepaper/21163572/electronic-design-techxchange-oscilloscope-techniques?utm_source=EG+ED+Connected+Solutions&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230323078&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/test-measurement/article/21262894/electronic-design-imitation-batteries-take-on-testing-of-portable-iot-devices?utm_source=EG+ED+Connected+Solutions&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230323078&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
What’s the Difference Between Power Density and Power Spectral Density?
April 11, 2023
One is defined as a converter’s rate output power, while the other is a measure of a signal’s power content versus frequency. This article makes further distinctions between the two.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/power/article/21263703/electronic-design-whats-the-difference-between-power-density-and-power-spectral-density?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230406060&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/semiconductors/video/21263351/electronic-design-apec-2023-insights-with-lee-goldberg?utm_source=RF+MWRF+Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230407080&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/resources/ideas-for-design/video/21262399/analog-devices-how-to-design-a-simple-ups-with-supercapacitors?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230406058&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/test-measurement/video/21263549/indirect-timeofflight-sensor-demo-can-create-depth-maps-up-to-six-meters?utm_source=EG+ED+Connected+Solutions&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230406075&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
ACS37800: Highly Isolated, Programmable AC and DC Power Monitoring IC
https://www.allegromicro.com/en/products/sense/current-sensor-ics/zero-to-fifty-amp-integrated-conductor-sensor-ics/acs37800?utm_source=electronicdesign.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Personif.ai&utm_term=&utm_content=acs37800
Tomi Engdahl says:
deas for Design Volume 3
Oct. 19, 2021
Check out the latest collection of classic design ideas we’ve put together for engineers and developers.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/analog/whitepaper/21178731/electronic-design-ideas-for-design-volume-3
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Week in PowerBites: Timely Tech Tutorials and Really (Really) Smart Active Filters
April 18, 2023
This week’s lineup includes tutorials on magnetics design and soft-switch power conversion, a highly versatile BMS, and rugged-self-healing dc link capacitors. And don’t miss what TI’s doing with its so-called “capacitive amplification” tech.
Lee Goldberg
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/power/article/21264171/electronic-design-this-week-in-powerbites-timely-tech-tutorials-and-really-really-smart-active-filters?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230413083&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/04/20/ask-hackaday-split-rail-op-amp-power-supply/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/tools/learning-resources/whitepaper/21263332/texas-instruments-powerconversion-solutions-for-a-sustainable-grid?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230413082&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
MEMS vs. Crystal Oscillators: It’s All in the Application
April 14, 2023
Precision frequency control and timing are essential to all modern electronics technology.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/embedded/article/21263965/qtech-corp-mems-vs-crystal-oscillators-its-all-in-the-application?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230413082&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
4 key current-sensing design trends that are powering electrification
https://e2e.ti.com/blogs_/b/analogwire/posts/4-key-current-sensing-design-trends-that-are-powering-electrification?HQS=asc-sens-catan-anahub_22123-agg-ta-electronicdesign_ana-wwe_int&DCM=yes&dclid=CPqbn7Lrt_4CFd0NogMdTaMCDg
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/resources/ideas-for-design/video/21261594/analog-devices-when-one-inductor-is-enough-to-design-a-smaller-power-supply?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230309171&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/04/17/interlaken-want-to-connect-all-the-chips/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Interlaken: the ideal high-speed chip-to-chip interface
https://www.design-reuse.com/articles/52722/interlaken-the-ideal-high-speed-chip-to-chip-interface.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Determining AC Power Requirements for Battery Testers
March 21, 2023
Battery test labs will utilize efficient equipment but can still require high power from the ac grid. Understanding how to calculate that power is key to ensure you don’t overtax the ac power lines into the test laboratory.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/power/article/21262387/keysight-technologies-determining-ac-power-requirements-for-battery-testers?utm_source=EG+ED+Auto+Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230406069&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://tiadasfundamentals.com/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/embedded/article/21799703/add-gps-to-your-usb-dongle
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/analog/whitepaper/21178731/electronic-design-ideas-for-design-volume-3
Tomi Engdahl says:
Informed Analysis Picks Better 555 Timer To Drive Power MOSFET
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/power/article/21798793/informed-analysis-picks-better-555-timer-to-drive-power-mosfet
The venerable 555-type timer makes an effective driver for power MOSFETs, but you have to understand the drive situation when selecting the correct variation of the basic timer. This idea shows how the wrong choice led to unreliable operation and failure, and the basic analysis that points to the correct choice.
Tomi Engdahl says:
PLL Provides Ratiometric Capacitive Touch Switch For Appliances
Nov. 5, 2013
This PLL-based circuit implements a touch-switch circuit using the PC board or small metal pads as sensors; it is radiometric and thus insensitive to changes in temperature and supply voltage.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/analog/article/21798639/pll-provides-ratiometric-capacitive-touch-switch-for-appliances
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/archive/article/21772603/whats-all-this-algebraic-equation-stuff-anyhow-part-3?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221013059&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
Creative Ways to Tame EMI
Oct. 20, 2022
Should circuit designers use shielding, active EMI suppression, or something else to mitigate EMI?
https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21253134/electronic-design-creative-ways-to-tame-emi?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221013059&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/23/design-your-own-chip-with-tinytapeout/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Looking Forward to the Next 70 Years
Nov. 1, 2022
We take a look forward and back at Electronic Design and the industry it covers.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/blogs/altembedded/article/21253821/electronic-design-looking-forward-to-the-next-70-years?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS221027046&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R