App note: Single-pushbutton ON/OFF power control

With the help of an MAX6816 debouncer from Maxim Integrated to form a single push button power switch. Link here (PDF) This application note presents a single-pushbutton power-control circuit. The design consists of an ON/OFF control circuit comprised of a push button, debouncer, and flip-flop. This circuit toggles the power output voltage by controlling an […]

App note: Automotive reverse battery protection diode

Super Barrier Rectifier™ (SBR) from Diodes Incorporated offers good power efficiency compared to normal PN junction diode and design simplicity compared to MOSFETs reverse protection. Link here (PDF) This application note compares the performance of Diodes Inc. Super Barrier Rectifier™ (SBR) as an automotive reverse battery protection diode with other solutions. An overview of the […]

App note: A closer look at LVDS technology

A general overview of Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) from Diodes incorporated. Link here (PDF) With the increase in demand for high throughputs, current technologies are becoming less efficient. Data transmission devices like RS-422, RS-485, SCSI and other devices are limited in data rate and power dissipation. With LVDS, data rate has increased tremendously to […]

App note: iCoupler® Isolation in CAN bus applications

Application note from Analog Devices on CAN bus system isolation. Link here (PDF) The intention of this application note is to give the user a brief overview of the CAN bus protocol, focusing on the system physical layer, as well as an understanding of why isolation is so important to the system. This application note […]

App note: Safety considerations and layout recommendations for digital isolators

Application note from Silicon Labs about end user safety against high voltage shock that are designed together with digital isolators. Link here (PDF) This application note details the creepage and clearance requirements of an isolator type component, such as a digital isolator, used to provide protection from electric shock. It also details layout recommendations to […]

App note: Understanding undervoltage lockout in display power devices

Texas Instrument’s application note about how undervoltage lockout (UVLO) protect devices from undefined behavior. Link here (PDF) Many integrated circuits include an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) function to disable the device at low supply voltages. Below the minimum supply voltage the function and performance of a device may be undefined, making it impossible to predict system […]

App note: Driving of OLEDs

Application note from OSRAM on driving OLEDs with constant current for longer operation. Link here The operation of OLEDs with electronic drivers is similar to anorganic LEDs for the most part. In a majority of applications, standard LED drivers may be used also for OLEDs. Nevertheless, there are some important basic rules and OLED specific […]

App note: Current sensing power MOSFETs

SENSEFET App note from ON Semiconductors incorporate a current sense inside a power MOSFET, these devices are straight forward calculating for sense resistance and voltage but have trade-offs for smaller current sensing. Link here (PDF) Current sensing power MOSFETs provide a highly effective way of measuring load current in power conditioning circuits. Conceptually simple in […]

App note: Load switches: What are they, why do you need them and how do you choose the right one?

Application report from Texas Instruments on load switches to simplify power supply design. Link here (PDF) Integrated load switches are electronic relays that can be used to turn on and turn off power supply rails in systems. Load switches offer many other benefits to the system and can include protection features that are often difficult […]

App note: How to select the Triac, ACS, or ACST that fits your application

Choosing the right AC switch for your application based on specification like current rating, voltage rating and triggering quadrant. Here’s an app note from STMicroelectronics to guide you on selecting the right part. Link here (PDF) This document gives basic guidelines to select the AC switch device according to the targeted application requirements. These guidelines […]

App note: A logic-level transient-voltage protected AC switch

STMicroelectronics’ AC switch directly controlled by microcontroller. Link here (PDF) Home appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers employ a lot of low power loads such as valves, door lock systems, dispensers or drain pumps. Since these loads are powered by the mains in ON / OFF mode, they were initially controlled by relays. […]

App note: Low-power battery temperature monitoring

Low current consumption temperature battery monitoring TMP303 from Texas Instruments. Link here (PDF) Charging a battery cannot be independent of temperature. In fact, most batteries specify a range of temperatures where charging is permitted. Charging outside these bounds risks damage, failure or worse. To prevent charging when the temperature is too hot or too cold, […]

App note: Stopping reverse current flow in standard hot swap applications

Application report from Texas Instruments about a simple circuit that blocks reverse currents. Link here (PDF) The proposed circuit uses an inexpensive operational amplifier to sense the condition of the output voltage exceeding the input voltage, and subsequently disable the hot swap controller, stopping the flow of reverse current (current flow from the output (load) […]

App note: Fast Rail-to-Rail operational amplifiers ease design constraints in low voltage high speed systems

Migration to lower rail voltages considerations on operational amplifier designs an Application note from Analog Devices. Link here (PDF) Movement towards lower power supply voltages is driven by the demand that systems consume less and less power coupled with the desire to reduce the number of power supply voltages in the system. Lowering power supply […]

App note: Resolution enhancements of digital potentiometers with multiple devices

An old application note from Analog Devices about configuring multiple digital potentiometers to improve resolution, accuracy and programming complexity might add-up to the mix though. Link here (PDF) Digital potentiometers usually come with standard resistance values of 10k, 100k, and 1MW at a given number of adjustable steps. If an application requires a resistance range […]

App note: Selecting coupled inductors for SEPIC applications

Application example from Coilcraft on how coupled inductors gain advantage over separately wound inductors, calculations included. Link here (PDF) The SEPIC (Single-Ended Primary Inductance Converter) topology is used in applications that require characteristics of both a buck and a boost regulator, specifically the ability to step up and step down the input voltage. Most often […]

App note: Choosing inductors for energy efficient power applications

Designing efficient power converters guide from Coilcraft. Link here (PDF) In high frequency DC-DC converters, inductors filter out the AC ripple current superimposed on the DC output. Whether the converter steps the voltage down – buck – or steps the voltage up – boost – or both up and down – SEPIC, the inductor smooths […]

App note: ASIC fixes for noisy analog “Oops”

App note from Maxim Integrated about simple fixes that can solve most issues when designing with ASICs. Link here (PDF) Noise is a common problem in mixed-signal ASICs, degrading performance and jeopardizing the completion of products. This application note gives hints and tips for adding external circuits that make many of these ASICs operational for […]

App note: Multiplex boosted class-D without additional external circuitry

An analog switch MAX14689 from MAXIM Integrated let signals that are higher than rail voltage pass. Link here (PDF) Boosted class-D amplifiers drive speakers with voltages greater than the supply voltage. These amplifiers are becoming more common because they allow higher performance audio from a single lithium ion battery. Most boosted class-D amplifiers, however, do […]

App note: HT45F3420 LED flashlight application

Holtek’s HT45F3420 MCU provide LED flashlight application all in with minimal external components. Link here (PDF) In traditional LED flashlight application circuits, the battery is used to directly drive the LED which will cause uneven brightness levels and the possibility of damaged LEDs due to changing battery conditions. Using the HT45F3420 for LED flash application, […]