App note from Maxim Integrated on providing smooth power from two sources. Link here (PDF) Design provides a simple method for maintaining an uninterrupted +5V even while switching between the external +5V supply and a rechargeable single-cell Li+ battery.
Category Archives: app notes
App note: Low drop fixed and adjustable positive voltage regulators
Low drop fixed and adjustable positive voltage regulators application note (PDF!) from ST: The LD1117A is a low drop voltage regulator able to provide up to 1 A of output current, available also in adjustable versions (VREF = 1.25 V). In fixed versions, the following output voltages are offered: 1.2 V, 1.8V, and 3.3 V. The […]
App note: Bi-directional translator architectures
Voltage translation app note from Fairchild Semiconductors, this app note include their auto bi-directional voltage translator that removes the burden of direction control. Link here (PDF) Voltage translators, or “level shifters” as they are sometimes called, allow the coupling of signals that do not share common VCC domains. For example, a signal generated from a […]
App note: Reset timers
Reset timers application note from Fairchild Semiconductors. Link here (PDF) As smart phones continually add functionality, it increases the likelihood of device lock up. This condition has been called the “White Screen of Death” which is a new take on the popular phrase used to describe Windows PCs after a system fault. Before the advent […]
App note: Typically testing “Typical” in a typical manner
Typically testing “Typical” in a typical manner, app note here (PDF!) from Maxim: Typical (typ) is typically the most misunderstood word in Integrated Circuit (IC) testing. Typical values can’t be tested directly because they are a statistical value. We discuss how to read a data sheet to understand what parameters are tested and under what […]
App note: Live insertion using low voltage differential signaling
Hot swapping capability of LVDS, app note from Fairchild Semiconductor. Link here (PDF) Supporting live insertion or hot swapping is important in certain applications such as the ones used in telecommunications systems. These applications require maintenance, upgrades, and repairs to be conducted without shutting down the system or causing disruptions to traffic on the backplane. […]
App note: LVDS Fundamentals
Here’s an app note on LVDS from Fairchild Semiconductor. Link here (PDF) With the recent developments in the communications market, the demand for throughput is becoming increasingly more crucial. Although older differential technologies provide significant signal integrity benefits compared to single ended technologies, many of them consume much more power at lower throughput than LVDS. […]
App note: Using feature set of I2C Master on TM4C129x microcontrollers
An application note (PDF!) from TI on using feature set of I2C Master on TM4C129x microcontrollers: The inter-integrated circuit (I2C) is a multi-master, multislave, single ended bus that is typically used for attaching lower speed peripheral ICs to processors and micocontrollers. The type of slave devices range from non volatile memory to data acquisition devices like analog-to-digtal converter […]
App note: Mechanical mounting for vibration motors to bulkheads
Vibration motor bulkheads mounting guide from Precision Microdrives. Link here The word bulkhead has a few different meanings, in this context we are using it to represent a large flat surface or sheet. For example, a large metal chute which is carrying materials which are prone to coagulating, may require a vibration motor. This bulletin […]
App note: Mechanical mounting for vibration motors to PCBs
Vibration motor PCB mounting guide from Precision Microdrives. Link here There are many methods for mounting a vibration motor to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some techniques are specific to different types of motor. This guide will help you evaluate different mounting methods and perhaps introduce some options […]
App note: USB DFU protocol used in the STM32 bootloader
An app note from ST, USB DFU protocol used in the STM32 bootloader (PDF!): This application note describes the USB DFU protocol used in STM32 microcontroller bootloader. It details each supported command. For more information about the USB hardware resources and requirements for your device bootloader, please refer to the “STM32 system memory boot mode” […]
App note: Designer’s guide for the Si114x
Si114x proximity sensors from Silicon Labs design guide. Link here This application note provides an outline for using the Si114x proximity detector and ambient-light sensor. General considerations of electrical and optical component selection, programming, and power consumption are explained so as to cover the majority of situations.
App note: Touchless lavatory appliance design
Using the Silicon Labs’s Si1141 sensor and C8051F9xx series microcontroller for touchless lavatory. Link here The Si1141 is a single-channel, reflectance-based proximity detector with an integrated ambient light sensor and can be used as a touchless sensor IC in lavatory appliances. As a proximity detector, the Si1141 has two infrared photodiodes, flexible ADC integration time, […]
App note: Anatomy of a high-quality meter
An application note from Fluke on best characteristics of a high-quality multimeters. Link here The hazards of working with electricity aren’t new, of course. But as electronic and electrical systems become increasingly complex, the dangers of measuring its flow have increased and unprepared technicians can suddenly be faced with a simple job gone bad. The […]
App note: Ten dumb things smart people do when testing electricity
Tips from Fluke on things we could not resist doing or forgetting when doing electricity works. Link here. Anyone who makes their living by working with electricity quickly develops a healthy respect for anything with even a remote chance of being “live.” Yet the pressures of getting a job done on time or getting a […]
App note: Use and calibration of the internal temperature indicator
Use and calibration of the internal temperature indicator (PDF!), an application note from Microchip: Many PIC16 family devices include an internal temperature indicator. These devices include the PIC16F72X device family, PIC16F1XXX device family, and the PIC12F1XXX device family. The temperature indicator is internally connected to the input multiplexer of the ADC (Figure 1). Refer to […]
App note: Eliminate noise through proper supply bypass filtering
Power supply filtering, an application note from Maxim Integrated. Link here If sensitive analog systems are run from one supply without the sufficient bypassing to eliminate noise, undesired degradation in a system’s performance will result. This application note provides insight into suitable techniques to overcome this roadblock.
App note: Simple wireless bluetooth stereo audio system for outdoor use
Old app note from Maxim Integrated on DIY portable bluetooth audio system. Link (PDF!) here When people want portable music, they usually rely on battery-powered audio devices. With a bit of engineering blood (or curiosity) running in your veins, it is not difficult to build a wireless Bluetooth® stereo audio system that can be controlled […]
App note: Synchronous CCSS Regulator
Capacitor-coupled switched shunt regulator (CCSS) App note from Microchip. App note here. Shunt regulators consist of two elements: a voltage regulator in parallel with the load (the shunt), and a series element between the supply and load to limit current. The parallel shunt regulates voltage by varying its conduction to maintain the desired voltage across […]
App note: HV823 & HV825 EL lamp driver circuits
App note from Microchip on their EL lamp drivers circuits utilizing (Supertex) HV823 and HV825, App note here. This application note presents fourteen EL driver circuits utilizing the Supertex HV823 and HV825 drivers. They have been optimized for a variety of applications and may be used as-is or used as a starting point in designing […]