App note from Holtek on their Real time clock IC HT1382. Link here (PDF) The HT1382 is a low power real time clock device which includes two serial interfaces: I2C or 3-wire. The interface mode is selected by the selected device type. The device provides both clock and calendar information in BCD format and also […]
Author Archives: DP
App note: HT45B3305H CAN Bus Controller usage and library description
App note from Holtek on their CAN Bus controller chip HT45B3305H. Link here (PDF) Holtek has released a CAN Bus interface control device, the HT45B3305H. The CAN physical layer can support high-speed networks up to 1 Mbit/s and supports the CAN 2.0A/B protocol as well as conforming to the ISO11898-1:2003 specification. It has 32 internal […]
App note: Common mode chokes basics and applications
App note from Abracon about EMI filtering with CMCs. Link here Common mode chokes are used in both power and signaling circuits. Data lines in electronic communications systems usually exist as pairs where they transmit signals of equal amplitude but opposite polarity. These lines are known as differential signals or pairs, such that the transmitted […]
App note: Tin whisker mitigation statement from Aimtec
Aimtec’s App note on addressing product failures caused by Tin whiskers. Link here Tin whiskers are slim metallic filaments that emanate from the surface of tin plating. As they are conductive, they can cause shorts across adjacent conductors which could result in failure. Whiskers occurs due to the presence of compressive stress or so called […]
App note: Recommended battery tests and testing schedule for battery back-up systems
A Fluke article about back-up batteries’ health. Link here Healthy batteries should maintain a capacity above 90 % of the manufacturer’s rating; most manufacturers recommend replacing the battery if it falls below 80 %.
App note: Understanding the arc flash boundary
Fluke’s article about safety from arc flashes. Link here The arc flash boundary is the minimum “safe” distance from exposed energized conductors or circuit parts that has the potential for an arc flash. Arc fault incidents happen daily in the United States. Take the proper steps to ensure your safety before taking any measurements, especially […]
App note: Effect of gate-emitter voltage on turn on losses and short circuit capability
Things to look for and avoid when designing with IGBT devices discussed in this app note from Onsemi. Link here (PDF) This application note describes some of the impacts of the gate-emitter voltage on the IGBT device performance. Unlike the MOSFETs and BJTs, the magnitude of the gate-emitter supply voltage of an IGBT has a […]
App note: Momentary solid state switch for split phase motors
App note with sample circuit from Onsemi about thyristor replacing mechanical relays for AC line control. Link here (PDF) In the large family of electronic switches, the thyristor must be considered as a low cost and powerful device for motor applications. Thyristors can take many forms, but they have certain features in common. All of […]
App note: PAM8908 as audio line driver
Audio app note from Diodes Incorporated about the tiny PAM8908 audio line driver that streamlines driving a small load speakers in single rail power supply. Link here (PDF) The DIODES™ PAM8908 stereo headphone driver is designed for portable equipment where board space is at a premium. The PAM8908 uses a patented unique architecture to produce […]
App note: Energy harvesting – Eliminating battery replacements for IoT nodes with 196 HVC ENYCAP™
App note from Vishay demonstrating a circuit to power IoT sensors with energy storage capacitors. Link here (PDF) The V-harvester board is a photovoltaic (PV) harvesting backup demonstration circuit. It is a sophisticated stand-alone board charged using TEMD5080X01 micro PV cells or with micro USB. The input power goes into an e-peas low power AEM10941 […]
App note: Analog front-end for industrial systems
App note from NXP providing information about the i.MX RT industrial drive development platform and how it utilizes the NAFE11388 Analog Front-End (AFE) to measure temperature used for fault detection. Link here (PDF) The NAFE11388 is a highly configurable industrial-grade multi-channel analog input AFE that meets highprecision measurement requirements. The device integrates dual low-leakage high-voltage […]
App note: Fundamentals of electromagnetic compliance
App note from Coilcraft about electromagnetic interference and its unintention emission and regulation when comes to consumer products. Link here (PDF) Everyone enjoys the advantages of electronic devices and gadgets becoming smaller, lighter, and faster, while providing longer battery life and ever-improving processing ability. Smaller devices require smaller electronic components an advantage in reducing electromagnetic […]
App note: Using Baluns and RF components for impedance matching
App note from Coilcraft all about Balance to Unbalance or Balun. Link here (PDF) A symmetrical balanced line has two conductors having equal current in opposite (differential) directions. Twisted pair cable and ribbon cable are examples of balanced line cables. An asymmetrical unbalanced (single-ended) line has one conductor connected to ground, such as coaxial cable. […]
App note: Varistors – connection and terminology
Littelfuse cheat sheet on all varistors related. Link here (PDF) Transient suppressors can be exposed to high currents for short durations in the nanoseconds to millisecond time frame. Littelfuse Varistors are connected in parallel to the load, and any voltage drop in the leads to the varistor will reduce its effectiveness. Best results are obtained […]
Application notes for the LCD 36×24 on NKK’s SmartDisplay
App note about controlling NKK’s smart display, NKK provides compact push buttons with integrated display. Link here (PDF) The LCD 36×24 SmartDisplay is currently available as 36×24 standard pushbuttons, 36×24 compact pushbuttons and 36×24 displays. The pushbuttons and displays have a variety of options for backlighting.
App note: Multiphase machines in automotive applications
Nexperia’s app note for multiphase machines. Link here (PDF) This application note describes the advantages of multiphase machines and prompts the reader to their recent, widely expanded usage. A short description of the power MOSFET switch design in is given, relying heavily on the more descriptive design. A short description of the control method for […]
App note: Bidirectional multi-voltage level translator applications using Nexperia’s LSF010x auto-sense devices
App note from Nexperia that presents their LSF010x voltage level translator which uses parallel channels of pass transistors. Link here (PDF) System level designers are confronted with increasing complexity of modern electronic systems in which lower power and logic voltage levels are used. This may lead to incompatibility between input and output levels if different […]
App note: Evaluating the lifetime behavior of LED systems
Understanding the known factors of LEDs to help evaluate LED system lifetime discussed in this white paper from Lumileds. Link here (PDF) One of the strongest propositions of power Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) is their long lumen maintenance their ability to continue producing light output for many years of use, in contrast to most conventional […]
App note: Comparison of DCR current sense topologies
App note from Richtek on the comparison of current sensing methods using inductor’s DCR. Link here (PDF) Current sensing plays an important role in DC/DC regulator systems, especially in multi-phase buck converters for CPU VCORE applications. In VCORE applications, the current signals are used to decide the load-line droop, per-phase current balance, current reporting, and […]
App note: Application and definition of thermal resistances on datasheet
App note from Richtek about thermal resistance calculation using component thermal parameters found on datasheets. Link here (PDF) Thermal issue has been a crucial topic for a long time since high power density and low cost requirements became popular. As a power engineer, the assessment of maximum allowable power dissipation of every component in the […]