SSR or solid state relays input resistor recommendation app note from Vishay. Link here (PDF) Solid state relays (SSRs) are commonly driven by TTL or buffered CMOS logic gates. These gates, when used to sink current, provide adequate drive for SSRs. An open-collector output is not required to drive the SSRs, but it can be […]
Category Archives: app notes
App note: The heat is on – High-power surface-mount resistors
Application notes from Vishay on effective heat dissipation for their aluminum nitride utilized resistors. Link here (PDF) The intent is to discuss a few techniques to manage the heat that is generated by high-power surface-mount resistors and the effects they will have on design space, complexity, and cost.
App note: Audible noise reduction techniques for FPS (Fairchild Power Switch) Applications
Reducing audible noise in switch mode power supplies app note from ON Semiconductors. Link here (PDF) In general, switched mode power supplies do not generate audible noise when they operate at constant ultrasonic frequencies (>20kHz). However, some switched mode power supplies can produce audible noise at certain load conditions. Most Fairchild Power Switches are designed […]
App note: Applications of zero voltage crossing optically isolated triac drivers
App note from Fairchild Semiconductors about their zero voltage crossing isolators. Link here (PDF) The zero-cross family of optically isolated triac drivers is an inexpensive, simple and effective solution for interface applications between low current dc control circuits such as logic gates and microprocessors and ac power loads (120, 240 or 380 volt, single or […]
App note: Using the Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) to interface a PIC16F1509 and WS2811 LED driver
An application note (PDF!) from Microchip on how to use CLC to interface a PIC16F1509 and WS2811 LED driver: The Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) peripheral in the PIC16F1509 device is a powerful way to create custom interfaces that would otherwise be very difficult. One example is the single-wire PWM signal, used by the WS2811 LEDs, well known in […]
App note: Transponder coils in an RFID system
A short application note from Coilcraft about transponder coils. Link here (PDF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is the system of using radio signals to send information identifying a particular situation or item. It can be used to track and locate any item including material, people and animals. The RFID transponder coil is part of the […]
App note: Signal transformer application and specification
Application note from Coilcraft discussing the wideband transformer and the autotransformer. Link here (PDF) In the simplest sense, a transformer is two or more windings coupled by a common magnetic field. This magnetic field provides the means to pass voltages and currents from one winding (primary) to the other winding (secondary). Magnetic flux is created […]
App note: EPIC: Electro-Pyrotechnic Initiator Chip Resistor
An application note on Vishay’s electro-pyrotechnic resistor chip made from thin film technology. Link here (PDF) In this paper we will show how the EPIC’s thin film construction is unique in providing pyrotechnic engineers with outstanding performances in terms of firing energy, firing time, reproducibility and reliability, easy set up, no fire/all fire ratio, assembly, […]
App note: Noise analysis for high-speed op amps
An application report on op-amp noise analysis from Texas Instruments. Link here (PDF) As system bandwidths have increased, an accurate estimate of the noise contribution for each element in the signal channel has become increasingly important. Many designers are not, however, particularly comfortable with the calculations required to predict the total noise for an op […]
App note: Infrared remote control implementation with MSP430FR4xx
Infrared remote control implementation with MSP430FR4xx application note from TI: This application report provides an insight into several of the most frequently used infrared protocols and especially their flexible implementation using the TI MSP430FR4xx series of low-power microcontrollers. The MSP430FR4xx microcontrollers are primarily targeted at remote control application that are equipped with infrared modulation function […]
App note: TPS25810 Charging Port Over USB Type-C™
Allow more current from USB Type-C port, an application note from Texas Instruments utilizing TPS25810 and TPS2544 USB port manager. Link here (PDF) The TPS25810 is a USB Type-C downstream facing port (DFP) controller that monitors the USB TypeC™ configuration channel (CC) lines to determine when a USB device is attached. When the upstream facing […]
App note: bq77905 20S cell stacking configuration
Application note from Texas Instruments on their bq77905 ultralow power stackable battery protector. Link here (PDF) The bq77905 is a 3-5S Low Power Protector with easy stacking capabilities for higher than 5S cell battery packs. This document provides an example for setting up a stacking configuration with the bq77905 and exhibits detailed analysis of the […]
App note: Universal motor drive with PIC16 microcontrollers
An open-loop speed control TRIAC-driven universal motor driver board design from Microchip, app note here: This application note presents the design of an open-loop speed control TRIAC-driven universal motor driver board using a variety of core independent peripherals on an 8-bit microcontroller. The complete source code and reference design material are included.
App note: Sensorless speed stabilizer for a DC motor
Precision Microdrives’ sensorless speed sense by exploiting speed dependent back EMF voltage. Link here Motor speed is a parameter of a DC motor that is often measured and controlled, usually through additional sensors and with closed loop feedback. This method of speed control requires some form of speed sensor, normally mounted on the motor shaft. […]
App note: Lifetime of DC vibration motors (MTTF & FIT)
DC vibration motors failure analysis by Precision Microdrives. Link here Reliability is an important consideration for engineers and product designers. It is also very context specific. For example consider a car, which is made from lots of individual components. If the radio antenna should fail, the car still operates. However this is not the case […]
App note: Advantages of eFuses versus PTC resettable fuses
The advantage of eFuses an application note from ON Semiconductors. Link here (PDF) Overcurrent protection is a basic necessity for electrical devices. While many people are familiar with fuses and household circuit breakers, few are intimately familiar with the kinds of overcurrent protection devices that are found in electronics. Though not a comprehensive list, there […]
App note: LDC0851 quick-start guide
Texas Instrument’s differential inductive switch LDC0851 application guide. Link here (PDF) Texas Instruments introduced the LDC1000 in 2012, the industry’s first inductance to digital converter. LDC1000 revolutionized the world of proximity sensing by delivering increased reliability, high resolution, and lower total system cost. The LDC1000 was soon followed by second generation multi-channel LDC devices like […]
App note: Inductor performance in high frequency DC-DC converters
Coilcraft’s application note on inductor performance or efficiency when used in high frequency applications. Link here (PDF) ESR vs frequency curves can be used to predict inductor losses in higher frequency converters, but careful consideration must be given to the wave shape (ripple current) of each application.
App note: General design considerations for MEMS microphones
Proper mounting of miniaturized MEMS from Cirrus Logic application notes. Link here (PDF) This application note offers recommendations in mechanical, PCB land pattern, and solder paste stencil design to deliver the best microphone performance in the final application design.
App note: Vibrating mesh nebulizer reference design
Vibrating mesh nebulizer reference design from Microchip, application here (PDF!) This application note demonstrates an implementation of driving a piezo mesh disk in a vibrating mesh nebulizer demo. The demo system features a Microchip 8-bit microcontroller-based piezo mesh disk driver board and a nebulizer plastic housing.