Old application note from ON Semiconductors on getting increased power capability by paralleling H-bridges and overcoming current limit imbalance between the two drivers by properly designing the board layout. Link here (PDF) Two or more H-bridges can be operated in parallel to increase the current handling capacity of the circuit. In this application note, paralleling […]
Category Archives: app notes
App note: Duty cycle and power optimization
Power saving specially on battery operated devices need to be kept, in this application note from ON Semiconductors discussed how to keep duty cycle in which a wireless RF device is operated at a minimum time. Link here (PDF) Consider a battery powered device (target), which should receive data from a second device (initiator) from […]
App note: Rectifiers for Power Factor Correction
Another Vishay’s app note about power factor correction this time about the component used and their effects. Link here (PDF) PFC devices are generally selected base on the speed of their reverse recovery time (trr). Currently for CCM (Continuous-Conduction-Mode) and CRM (Critical Conduction-Mode) PFC devices in market, rectifiers up to 600 V with trr smaller […]
App note: Power factor correction with ultrafast diodes
Vishay’s app note in keeping the power supplies’ power factor in check with their ultrafast diodes. Link here (PDF) More and more switched mode power supplies (SMPS) are being designed with an active power factor correction (PFC) input stage. This is mainly due to the introduction of regulations aimed at restricting the harmonic content of […]
App note: Stepper motor control using the PIC16F684
Stepper motor control using the PIC16F684 application note (PDF!) from Microchip: This application note describes how to drive a bipolar stepping motor with the PIC16F684. The Enhanced Capture Compare PWM (ECCP) module is used to implement a microstepping technique known as hightorque microstepping. The microcontroller’s 8 MHz internal oscillator allows the signals generated by the ECCP […]
App note: Limiting inrush current
Aimtec’s app note on inrush current on power converters and their solution. Link here Inrush currents can be problematic in circuits that utilize overload protection devices such as fuses and circuit breakers. The selection of overcurrent protection devices is made more complicated when high inrush currents are present. False overload conditions can trigger unwanted protection […]
App note: Forced air convection and heat sinking for power supplies
Application note from Aimtec discusses about two ways for taking away heat on power supplies. Link here When evaluating the operating temperature ranges of power supplies one must consult component’s datasheets. Datasheets state a “usable” operating temperature range typically given at full output load. In order to reach the upper limit of the temperature ranges […]
App note: System design guidelines for the TM4C129x family of Tiva C series microcontrollers
System design guidelines from Texas Instruments for the TM4C129x Tiva C series microcontrollers, app note here (PDF!): The Tiva™ C series TM4C129x microcontrollers are highly-integrated system-on-chip (SOC) devices with extensive interface and processing capabilities. Consequently, there are many factors to consider when creating a schematic and designing a circuit board. By following the recommendations in […]
App note: Method to reduce the output ripple & noise of power supplies
Another app note from Aimtec on power supplies and how to minimize their output noises. Link here The switching power supplies have the fundamental advantage of high efficiency i.e. low power dissipation when compared to linear voltage regulation. However, there exists an important consideration concerning the presence of ripple and noise at their outputs. If […]
App note: The optimum method to test the output ripple & noise of power supplies
Application note from Aimtec about testing power supplies, Link here The switching power supplies have the fundamental advantage of high efficiency i.e. low power dissipation when compared to linear voltage regulation.
App note: SAM D/R/L/C Watchdog (WDT) driver
Atmel application note (PDF!) for using the Watchdog in a callback configuration: This driver for Atmel | SMART ARM-based microcontrollers provides an interface for the configuration and management of the device’s Watchdog Timer module, including the enabling, disabling, and kicking within the device. The following driver API modes are covered by this manual: Polled APIs […]
App note: Best design and layout practices for SiTime oscillators
SiTime’s app note about how to properly route an oscillator’s PCB traces. Link here Proper decoupling, bypassing, and power supply noise reduction is important in many applications to ensure optimal performance for oscillators. A common strategy is to place capacitors near high speed devices on a printed circuit board (PCB). These capacitors serve important functions: […]
App note: Frequency measurement guidelines for oscillators
Application note from SiTime about frequency measurements and how some methods may not gauged accurately. Link here Every digital electronic device requires a reference clock and oscillators are widely used to serve that purpose. Verifying frequency characteristics of high performance devices requires accurate frequency measurement. This document contains an overview of various frequency measurement methods […]
App note: Selecting inductors for buck converters
An application note (PDF!) from Texas Instruments on inductor selection: This application report provides design information to help select an off-the-shelf inductor for any continuous-mode buck converter application. The first part shows how the designer should estimate his requirements, specifically the required inductance. The next part takes an off-the-shelf inductor and shows how to interpret the […]
App note: Alkaline battery low-voltage indicator
Battery low-voltage indicator made from two new comparators TSM9118 and TMS9119 from Silicon Labs. Link here (PDF) In many battery-powered systems, a user would like to know when it is time to replace the batteries before they are completely discharged, causing the device being powered to fail completely. Alkaline batteries have an open cell voltage […]
App note: A practical look at current ratings
An app note from Alpha & Omega Semiconductors about proper way of evaluating MOSFET’s power handling capability based on how much loss it will generate based on the application conditions. Link here (PDF) System designers are often faced with the task of selecting the most suitable power device from a wide array of products from […]
App note: Precision temperature-sensing with RTD circuits
Precision temperature-sensing with RTD circuits application note (PDF!) from Microchip This application note focuses on circuit solutions that use platinum RTDs in their design (see Figure 1). The linearity of the RTD will be presented along with standard formulas that can be used to improve the off-theshelf linearity of the element. For additional information concerning […]
App note: A survey of common-mode noise
A survey of common-mode noise application note (PDF!) from Texas Instruments: This application report provides the results of research regarding common mode noise induced on cables of varying lengths in different environments. It also provides information on noise sources.
App note: Performance capability of the SO8-FL package
MOSFET SO8-FL package app note from ON Semiconductors provide same thermal performance as metal top package with heat sink attached. Link here (PDF) The SO8−FL package can deliver high power density and provides excellent thermal dissipation to create a high efficiency, cool design environment when properly cooled. Metal−top devices attempt to remove heat easier through […]
App note: PCB design guidelines that maximize the performance of TVS diodes
Correct TVS diodes location on the PCB provides optimal protection from surge, an application note from ON Semiconductors. Link here (PDF) Transient Voltage Suppressors (TVS) avalanche diodes and diode arrays can be used to protect sensitive electronic components from the surge pulses that arise from ESD and EMI. The small size, fast response time, low […]