This application note (PDF!) from TI details the design of Single Phase PLL: Grid connected applications require an accurate estimate of the grid angle to feed power synchronously tothe grid. This is achieved using a software phase locked loop (PLL). This application report discusses different challenges in the design of software phase locked loops and […]
Category Archives: app notes
App note: Voltage generating circuits for LCD contrast control
Another application note from Hantronix, Inc. on simple to digitally controlled efficient power supply for LCD display contrast. Link here (PDF) Many LCD display modules require a negative or positive voltage that is higher than the logic voltage used to power an LCD. This voltage, called Vl, Vee or the bias voltage, would require a […]
App note: An explanation of LCD viewing angle
An application note from Hantronix, Inc. on LCD viewing angles and how it influences the selection of the right LCD for your application. Link here (PDF) LCD displays have a limited viewing angle. They lose contrast and become hard to read at some viewing angles and they have more contrast and are easier to read […]
App note: Designing with the EZ-USB FX3 Slave FIFO Interface
Designing with the EZ-USB FX3 Slave FIFO Interface application note (PDF!) from Cypress: AN65974 describes the synchronous Slave FIFO interface of EZ-USB FX3. The hardware interface and configuration settings for the FLAGs are described in detail with examples. The application note includes references to GPIF™ II Designer to make the Slave FIFO interface easy to […]
App note: MMCM and PLL dynamic reconfiguration
Xilinx application note (PDF!) on MMCM and PLL dynamic reconfiguration: This application note describes the information necessary to reconfigure the MMCM or PLL and provides a reference design that implements all of the algorithms covered. The PLL and MMCM share very similar functionality but are not identical. Due to some subtle functionality differences and the requirement […]
App note: High-speed input clock issues
Clock jitter are a big issue in high-speed ADC, here’s an application note from e2V to guide users deals with these problems. Link here (PDF) The e2v converters family addresses the high-speed market in the field of ADCs as well as DACs, with frequencies operating in the GHz range. Such high-speed devices require high-speed clock […]
App note: Power factor correction using the IRS2500
Drop in replacement power factor correction chip IRS2500 from International Rectifier. Link here (PDF) Many offline applications require power factor correction circuitry in order to minimize transmission line losses and stress on electrical generators and transformers created by high harmonic content and phase shift. Appliances often incorporate switching power supplies (SMPS) which include capacitive filter […]
App note: Low-Power Real Time Clock
An application note (PDF!) on low-power real-time clock from Microchip: This application note uses the Timer1 module, from a mid-range PIC16CXXX microcontroller, to control a low-power real-time clock. Timer1 was chosen because it has its own crystal which allows the module to operate during sleep. The two events that will wake the device from sleep […]
App note: Auto-zero amplifiers ease the design of high-precision circuits
An application note from Texas Instruments on new chopper amplifers superiority over old design chopper amps. Link here (PDF) This article shows that the auto-zero calibration technique is very different from the chopper technique and is one that, when implemented through modern process technology, allows the economical manufacturing of wideband, high-precision amplifiers with low output […]
App note: Transmitting SXGA video signal through 1kft (300m) CAT-5 cable
An app note from Intersil on utilizing CAT-5 cable for SXGA video transimission. Link here (PDF) The goal of this application note is to present the most current design methods for transmitting high bandwidth SXGA video signal over long distances of CAT-5 cable (300m or more). The enormous cost benefits of CAT-5 cable will also […]
App note: USB Mass storage class on an Embedded Host
Microchip’s application note (PDF!) on USB Embedded Host Mass Storage class: With the introduction of Microchip’s microcontrollers with the USB OTG peripheral, microcontroller applications can easily support USB Embedded Host functionality. One of the most common uses of this capability is to interface to mass storage devices, such as USB Flash Drives and memory card readers. […]
App note: Thermal behavior of small-signal discretes on multilayer PCBs
App note from NXP Semiconductors about multilayer PCB as additional heatsink for flat SMD components mostly power transistors to dissipate heat. Link here (PDF) This application note illustrates how to improve the power dissipation of discrete components by using multilayer PCBs. It focuses on the impact of using larger copper areas to improve the thermal […]
App note: Enhancing cellphone battery performance during GSM pulses through the use of a parallel supercapacitor
Low ESR and ESL supercapacitor paralleled to cellphone batteries can react more quickly to the demanding power required by GSM pulses. A great appnote read from AVX, link here (PDF) With the constant addition of data-intensive features and functionality such as continuous GPS tracking, high-definition media streaming, and the real-time server connections required by mobile […]
App note: QuickBoot method for FPGA design remote update
A QuickBoot method for FPGA design remote update application note (PDF!) from Xilinx: This application note presents detailed descriptions of the QuickBoot method that are important for evaluating the QuickBoot solution and debugging implementation problems. Demonstration implementations of the QuickBoot method are provided for the KC705 evaluation board using the serial peripheral interface (SPI) flash or […]
App note: High voltage adjustable power supplies
TI application note (PDF!) on high voltage adjustable power supplies: An improved approach is shown in Figure 2. Here an LM329B 6.9V zener reference has been stacked in series with the LM317’s internal reference. This both improves temperature stability, since the LM329B has a guaranteed TC of ±20 ppm/˚C, and improves regulation, because more […]
App note: Projection with LED light sources
LEDs are now mostly used in light projection systems due to their low power requirements, long life and robustness. Here’s an app note from OSRAM for proper integrations on these projection LEDs. Link here (PDF) This application note provides insights into the use of LED light sources for projection applications. An overview of LED projection […]
App note: Potting protection for outdoor LED video walls and signs
LED signs and large LED video panels are always subjected to harsh environment resulting to corrosion to their pcb mountings, here’s an app note from OSRAM about potting these LED panels for protection. Link here (PDF) This note provides basic information about the potting of flat SMT LEDs in video wall and signage applications. Thereby […]
App note: PointLED® – It’s nice to be different
New SMD LED design from OSRAM ideal for mounting on PCB holes for illumination. Link here (PDF) This application note provides insight into the universally deployable and flexibly mountable light source of the PointLED® product family. A fundamental overview of the LED construction as well as the optical and electrical characteristics and performance of the […]
App note: How to handle a reed switch
Proper handling of reed switches to prolong operation and or storage, an application note from HSI sensing. Link here (PDF) Reed switches consist of two or three metal reed contacts (blades) that are hermetically sealed inside a glass tube. This seal, while strong, may be damaged if proper handling is not used. HSI Sensing has […]
App note: AES Bootloader
An application note (PDF!) from Atmel on AES Bootloader: This application note has presented a method for transferring data securely to an Atmel AVR microcontroller with bootloader capabilities. This document has also highlighted techniques that should be implemented when building a secured system.