An app note from Maxim Integrated about tampering electronic securities through physical means and how to protect against it. Link here (PDF) More and more frequently, computer-based systems store valuable data and manage the flow of valuable commodities. If an opponent can gain control of the computer that touches this valuable data, they can access […]
Category Archives: app notes
App note: Passives aren’t really So Passive: PCB
The last part of “Passives aren’t really so passive” series app notes from Maxim Integrated discusses about PCB flaws that can lead to passive errors to IC performance. Link here (PDF) Active components like transistors and integrated circuits change signals using energy from the power supply. However, passive components like resistors, capacitors, inductors, and connectors […]
App note: Ultrasonic sensing for water flow meters and heat meters
TI’s application note on Ultrasonic sensing for water flow meters and heat meters (PDF!) Ultrasonic flow meters are gaining wide usage in commercial, industrial and medical applications. Major benefits of utilizing this type of flowmeter are higher accuracy, low maintenance (no moving parts), noninvasive flow measurement, and the ability to regularly diagnose health of the meter. This application […]
App note: Passives aren’t really So Passive: Resistors
Part 2 of the “Passives aren’t really so passive” series app notes from Maxim Integrated, this time about resistors and their tempco and tolerance degeneration that need to be considered. Link here (PDF) Passive components don’t draw power but even resistors can, and modify signals in unexpected ways. A resistor’s reaction to temperature, voltage, and […]
App note: Passives aren’t really So Passive: Capacitors
Interesting app note from Maxim Integrated on small parasitic effects of capacitors that makes them less passive. Link here (PDF) Active components like transistors and integrated circuits change signals using energy from the power supply. Conversely, passive components like resistors, capacitors, inductors, and connectors do not consume power or so we like to assume. However, […]
App note: How to Transport Batteries
Lead Acid, Nickel-based batteries and Lithium-based batteries transporting information from Battery University. Link here Many battery types fall under strict transportation regulation. This is done for the safety of those handling them and the passengers traveling on a common carrier. Incidents of unscheduled battery events govern the firmness of the rules and the largest changes […]
App note: Surface Mount Rework Considerations
Old app note from Weller on Surface mount rework. Link here(PDF!). We know you can relate to the challenges presented by newer and more complex surface mount component packages. As systems continue to evolve, rework tasks can be increasingly difficult even for the most skilled rework technicians. The process of safely and efficiently removing and […]
App note: Isolation design flow for Xilinx 7 series FPGAs or Zynq-7000 AP SoCs (ISE Tools)
Xilinx application note, Isolation design flow for Xilinx 7 series FPGAs or Zynq-7000 AP SoCs (ISE Tools) (PDF!) This application note is written for FPGA designers wishing to implement security or safety critical designs, that is, information assurance (single chip cryptography), avionics, automotive, and industrial applications, using the Xilinx Isolation Design Flow (IDF). This document explains how […]
App note: Soldering Tip Care and Use
A quick app note from Weller on soldering tip care. Link here (PDF!) When it comes to soldering irons, you know that the tip is the most critical component. While the soldering iron holds and heats the tip and controls its performance, the tip is tasked with the most important job of transferring heat efficiently […]
App note: “Is Your Soldering Equipment Speeding?”
A technical note from Weller on how accurate your soldering tool reading are. Link here (PDF!) With so many technological advancements, there is no excuse for incorrect measurement readings. For example, your automobile has a number of alternative methods to check the accuracy of the speedometer. You rely on those indicators to be accurate. If […]
App note: Understanding latch-up in advanced CMOS logic
Another old app note from Fairchild Semiconductor about CMOS latch-up. Link here (PDF!) Latch-up is a failure mechanism of CMOS integrated circuits characterized by excessive current drain coupled with functional failure, parametric failure and/or device destruction. It may be a temporary condition that terminates upon removal of the exciting stimulus, a catastrophic condition that requires […]
App note: Low drop out, phase margin, and stability
Old app note from Fairchild Semiconductor about external component effects on LDOs. Link here (PDF!) Low drop-out (LDO) regulators are one of the basic building blocks of most power supplies used in today’s electronics. Their ease of use, low cost, and small size makes them ideal in portable and handheld applications. They are available in […]
App note: 1-μA capacitive grip detection based on MSP430 Microcontrollers
An app note from TI, 1-μA capacitive grip detection based on MSP430 Microcontrollers (PDF!) This application report discusseshow to design a simple and ultra low-power grip detector Booster Pack for the MSP430 LaunchPad. The PINOSC feature in every msp430G2xx2 and msp430G2xx3 device makes it possible to eliminate all the external components when implementing a capacitive […]
App note: Consideration of power MOSFETs in fast charger design
App note from Fairchild Semiconductors on power MOSFETs selection including thermal design and usage on fast chargers. Link here (PDF) The demand for battery capacitance up to 10,000mAh in mobile devices is steadily increasing as devices consume more power and offering more functionality. Large battery capacity provides longer battery run-time, but needs more time to […]
App note: Performance restrictions associated with 3.5 watts SO-8 power MOSFETs
Old app note from Fairchild Semiconductors on SO-8 power MOSFETs’ power handling. Link here In applications requiring high current and small footprint electronic switches, a Power MOSFET packaged in an SO-8 is usually the best choice. This is because the combination offers low on-resistance and reasonable power handling. A second benefit is the numerous suppliers […]
App note: Zero Latency Multiplexing I/O for ASIC Emulation
Zero Latency Multiplexing I/O for ASIC Emulation (PDF!) application note from Xilinx: This application note provides a method for FPGA emulation platforms to communicate multiple signals over one I/O or I/O differential pair to another FPGA. This multiplexing method serializes data up to 800 Mb/s without introducing any additional cycles of latency to the user […]
App note: How to successfully apply low dropout regulators
Application note regarding proper usage of LDO from Analog Devices. Link here (PDF) A low dropout (LDO) regulator is capable of maintaining its specified output voltage over a wide range of load currents and input voltages, down to a very small difference between input and output voltages. This difference, known as the dropout voltage or […]
App note: Isolating USB with SPI
Old but still good technical note from Analog Devices on USB isolation. Link here (PDF) Currently, iCoupler® digital isolation technology is capable of transferring data at rates ranging from DC to about 150Mbps, which is adequate for transferring serial data to support low (1.5Mbps) and full (12Mbps) speed modes of USB. There are three places […]
App note: Triacs – How to calculate power and predict Tjmax
An application note (PDF!) from NXP on how to calculate the power dissipated by the triac: This Application Note describes how to calculate the power dissipation for triacs and Silicon Controlled Rectifiers. Thermal calculations are also included to help the circuit designer to predict the maximum junction temperature or calculate the required heatsink thermal resistance. […]
App note: Overview of USB battery charging revision 1.2 and the important role of charger detectors
Ever wonder why USB connector’s power are longer than the D+ D- pads? Here’s an app note from Maxim Integrated about these detection proccess and their importance. Link here (PDF) This application note explains details of the USB Battery Charging Specification 1.2, and the role of charger detection. With the use of charger detection ICs, […]