App note on understanding high speed ADC testing and evaluation (PDF!) from Analog Devices: This document describes both the characterization and production test methods used by the High Speed Converter Group of Analog Devices, Inc., to evaluate high speed analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). While this application note should be considered a reference, it is not a substitute […]
Category Archives: app notes
App note: Power gain stages for monolithic amplifiers
Application note (PDF!) on power gain stages for monolithic amplifiers from Linear: The type of circuitry used in an output stage varies with the application, which can be quite diverse. Current and voltage boosting are common requirements, although both are often simultaneously required. Voltage gain stages are usually associated with the need for high voltage […]
App note: Selection of three locations of current sense resistor in buck converter
Sensing current utilizing MOSFET’s Rds(on) and Inductor’s DCR in different location discussed in this app note from Alpha and Omega semiconductor. Link here (PDF) In current mode converters, current sense resistor can be placed in three locations: input loop, output loop and freewheeling loop. The pros and cons are discussed in details. The principles and […]
App note: Paralleling power MOSFETs in switching applications
Application note from Alpha and Omega semiconductor on proper design of circuit and PCB layout to balance parallel MOSFETs. Link here (PDF) This paper discusses issues involved in paralleling MOSFETs in high-power, high-frequency switching applications. It investigates root cause problems such as unbalanced voltage and current by taking a closer examination of PCB layouts and […]
App note: Introduction to hearing aids and important design considerations
Introduction to hearing aids app note (PDF!) from Maxim: This application note introduces the styles of hearing aids, including behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE), in the canal (ITC), and completely in the canal (CIC), as well as a brief summary of both analog and digital hearing aid technologies. Also discussed is the […]
App note: Protecting the Universal Serial Bus from over voltage and overcurrent threats
An old application note from Littelfuse about USB protection. Link here (PDF) This application note addresses the various requirements for protecting the Universal Serial Bus (USB) from overcurrent and overvoltage environmental threats. The solutions presented cover both USB 1.1 and the higher speed USB 2.0 circuitry. Specific emphasis is placed on USB 2.0 with information […]
App note: Automotive circuit protection using Littelfuse automotive TVS diodes
An interesting app note from Littelfuse about automotive circuit protection but also discusses about where transients came from in an automotive setup. Link here (PDF) The designers of automotive electronics face many technical challenges during the system design process, including designing methods of protection against a variety of electrical hazards. The three major sources of […]
App note: AVR32 UC3 USB host mass storage bootloader
USB host mass storage bootloader (PDF!) app note from Atmel: Features • In-System Programming (ISP) and Field Upgrade – Configurable Start Condition with an Upgrade Firmware File ‘avr32fwupgrade.uc3’ Located on a USB Device Implementing the USB Mass Storage Class • USB Protocol – Based on the USB Host Mass Storage Class (MSC) • USB MSC […]
App note: Combining GDTs and MOVs for surge protection of AC power lines
Another circuit protection from power surges/spikes application note from Littelfuse. Link here (PDF) AC power line disturbances are the cause of many equipment failures. The damage can be as elusive as occasional data crashes or as dramatic as the destruction of a power supply, computer terminal, or television set. Power line disturbances go by many […]
App note: Circuit protection for Lithium-Ion and lithium polymer rechargeable battery applications
Adding secondary circuit protection to ensure safety when using Lithium-Ion and Lithium polymer batteries discussed in this app note from Littelfuse. Link here (PDF) The introduction of portable devices with advanced features and the demand for longer run times and has resulted in innovations in the battery technologies used for portable applications. The latest generation […]
App note: Transient suppression devices and principles
App note from Littlefuse on how do transient suppression devices protect electronic circuits. Link here (PDF) There are two major categories of transient suppressors: a) those that attenuate transients, thus preventing their propagation into the sensitive circuit; and b) those that divert transients away from sensitive loads and so limit the residual voltages. Attenuating a […]
App note: An overview of electromagnetic and lightning induced voltage transients
Application note from Littelfuse on sources of transient voltages that can induced in electronic circuits. Link here (PDF) This Note is an overview of the sources and nature of various transient overvoltages, and the problems that may result. Transients in electrical circuits result from the sudden release of previously stored energy. This energy can be […]
App note: AN-42 IC provides on-card regulation for logic circuits
This application note (PDF!) from TI provides on-card regulation for logic circuits: Because of the relatively high current requirements of digital systems, there are a number of problems associated with using one centrally-located regulator. Heavy power busses must be used to distribute the regulated voltage. With low voltages and currents of many amperes, voltage drops in […]
App note: Designing P.C. Board heat sinks
Application hint from Micrel on how to do baseline calculation on board area required as heatsink for SMD components. Link here (PDF) System designers increasingly face the restriction of using all surface-mounted components in their new designs; even including the power components. Through-hole components can dissipate excess heat with clip-on or bolt-on heat sinks keeping […]
App note: Heatsink characteristics
Application note from International Rectifier on various method for thermal management. Link here (PDF) In many electronic applications, temperature becomes an important factor when designing a system. Switching and conduction losses can heat up the silicon of the device above its maximum Junction Temperature (Tjmax) and cause performance failure, breakdown and worst case, fire. Therefore […]
App note: Welcoming water metering into the 21st Century
Maxim application note: Water. It is the most precious managed resource on the planet. Getting clean water to everyone can, in fact, be a matter of life and death. Managing water resources is a serious challenge today. Water is expensive to clean and difficult to get to where it is needed. In fact, connecting people […]
App note: Heat sink mounting guide
Fairchild Semiconductor’s app note on proper heat sink mounting to achieve lower thermal resistance between the package and its heat sink. Link here (PDF) This document provides guidelines for mounting heat sinks for the proper thermal management of power semiconductor devices in field applications. This document describes heat sink mounting methods, considerations, contact thermal resistance, […]
App note: Understanding thermal dissipation and design of a heat sink
Application report from Texas Instruments on heatsink designs. Link here (PDF) Power dissipation performance must be well understood prior to integrating devices on a printed-circuit board (PCB) to ensure that any given device is operated within its defined temperature limits. When a device is running, it consumes electrical energy that is transformed into heat. Most […]
App note: Fast charging control with NTC temperature sensing
Vishay’s application note on fast charging control using NTC and TI’s BQ2005. Link here (PDF) The need for increased autonomy for new models of laptops and cellular phones has resulted in high-energy density power packs – Ni MH and Li-ion batteries. These batteries can be charged quickly, on the condition that the fast charging complies […]
App note: VSOP98260 for IR code learning applications
Application note from Vishay on their VSOP98260 IR learning chip which uses the same IR LED as transceiver. Link here (PDF) There is a wide interest in universal remote controls, which can be used to diminish the “clutter” of remote controls typically present in a modern living room setting. Training the universal remote to send […]