App note(PDF) from Murata on output capacitors loading when in a switch mode power supply There are numerous factors to consider when adding external capacitors to switched-mode power supplies (SMPS). This article will discuss noise, startup, ESR, stability, pre-bias applications, Sense inputs, On/Off (remote enable) controls and other topics. Many real-world DC/DC applications require external […]
Category Archives: app notes
App note: EMC design guidelines
A great guide (PDF) to electromagnetic compatibility from Murata International regulations regarding electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) affect many aspects of circuit and system design. However, there are many techniques that can be applied generally to reduce both the emissions from and susceptibility to, electromagnetic interference (EMI). As a manufacturer of electronic components, Murata Power Solutions is […]
App note: TPS6122x low input voltage, 0.7V boost converter with 5.5μA quiescent current
An application note from TI, TPS6122x low input voltage, 0.7V boost converter with 5.5μA quiescent current (PDF!): The TPS6122x family devices provide a power-supply solution for products powered by either a single-cell, two-cell, or three-cell alkaline, NiCd or NiMH, or one-cell Li-Ion or Li-polymer battery. Possible output currents depend on the input-to-output voltage ratio. The boost converter is based […]
App note: EMC guidelines for microcontroller-based applications
Application note(PDF) specific on microcontroller EMC from ST Microelectronics. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) must be taken into account at the very beginning of a project as the cost of correcting an EMC problem encountered at the start of production can be far greater that the cost of a detailed EMC study during the development phase of […]
App note: EMC general information
Application note(PDF) on EMC from ST Microelectronics. Because many electronic circuits are in proximity to each other, it is essential that their design is not affected by external noise sources and that the circuit itself is not a noise source affecting other circuits. This relationship is known as electromagnetic compatibility or EMC. Sources of electromagnetic […]
App note: Operational amplifier applications using 8-Bit PIC microcontrollers
Operational amplifier applications using 8-Bit PIC microcontrollers (PDF!) from Microchip: This document aims at uncovering some of the more important parameters of the op amp and the significance in certain applications. Specific examples and case studies of applications using the on-chip op amp of the PIC16F families of microcontrollers will be discussed. A comparison of the […]
App note: Low pin-count LCD interface
Back to basic LCD interfacing app note(PDF!) from Silicon Labs. This application note provides an example interface for a C8051F330 device with an example LCD. First, this application note describes how an LCD works and then describes the two types of LCDs: direct drive and multiplexed drive. Next, the software interface and structure are explained. […]
App note: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) implementation on C8051F326/7 devices
An AES implementation on Silicon Labs’ C8051F326/7 microcontrollers app note(PDF!) The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is an algorithm used to encrypt and decrypt data for the purposes of protecting the data when it is transmitted electronically. The AES algorithm allows for the use of cipher keys that are 128, 192, or 256 bits long to […]
App note: Designing efficient digital up and down converters for narrowband systems
An app note (PDF!) from Xilinx on designing efficient digital up and down converters for narrowband systems: Digital Up Converters (DUC) and Digital Down Converters (DDC) are key components of RF systems in communications, sensing, and imaging. This application note demonstrates how efficient DUC/DDC implementations can be created by leveraging Xilinx® DSP tools and IP portfolio for increased […]
App note: Three-channel power sequencer
C8051F330 controlling power sequencing app note(PDF!) from Silicon Labs. An increasing number of devices such as FPGAs, DSPs, RISC-CPUs, and communications ICs operate at two or more supply voltages. The core logic commonly operates from 1.3 to 2.5 V in order to save power while the I/O supply operates from 3.3 to 5 V to […]
App note: Lithium ion battery charger using C8051F300
Lithium ion battery charger implementation using C8051F300 app note(PDF!) from Silicon Labs. Driven by the need for untethered mobility and ease of use, many systems rely on rechargable batteries as their primary power source. The battery charging circuitry for these systems is typically implemented using a fixed-function IC to control the charging current/voltage profile. The […]
App note: Linear speed control of stepper motor
An app note (PDF!) from Atmel on Linear speed control of stepper motor: This application note describes how to implement an exact linear speed controller for stepper motors. The stepper motor is an electromagnetic device that converts digital pulses into mechanical shaft rotation. Many advantages are achieved using this kind of motors, such as higher simplicity, since no […]
App note: Cracks on molded power inductors
App note from Würth Elektronik on WE-LHMI inductors’ visual crack apperance and their effects. This document helps understanding the influence of visual asymmetry around the core which may occur during the manufacturing process of WE-LHMI series inductors. The WE-LHMI core is not a solid core, instead it is an iron powder molded around the winding. […]
App note: Chemical compatibility of LEDs
An app note(PDF) from OSRAM on LED stresses due to chemical compatibilities on their applications. The performance and stability of light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be influenced by various chemical incompatibilities arising from chemicals and materials used, amongst other things, in luminaire construction, or by gases in the proximate environment of LEDs during field operation. […]
App note: D-PHY Solutions
An app note (PDF!) from Xilinx on D-PHY Solutions: Traditionally, interfaces between components on a printed circuit board (PCB) are based on single-ended parallel buses at low bit rates (LVCMOS), differential high-speed serial buses, or single differential channels. The D-PHY provides an extension to this structure by turning the low-speed, low-power interface to the serial format of the high-speed […]
App note: Measure capacitance of Class-II and Class-III ceramic capacitors
KEMET’s app note(PDF) on the methods used on measuring capacitance of different classes of ceramic capacitors. This application note addresses proper capacitance measurement techniques of Class-II (X7R/X5R) and Class-III (Y5V/Z5U) ceramic capacitors and identifies common errors that are made upon incoming inspection or after board assembly. Errors are highlighted and provides instruction for better electrical […]
App note: Bodo’s Power Systems: Capacitors for critical applications get better by design
Great read(PDF) from KEMET on the design features and screening methods applied to electrolytic and tantalum capacitors to prevent long-term deterioration or sudden unexpected failures. Wherever electronic equipment is used such as in the home, at work, in-car, or in defense equipment users typically expect perfect reliability while the technology itself should ideally be invisible […]
App note: Standalone Linear Li-Ion battery charger with thermal regulation in ThinSOT
Standalone Linear Li-Ion battery charger with thermal regulation in ThinSOT application note (PDF!) from Linear: The LTC4054 is a single cell lithium-ion battery charger using a constant-current/constant voltage algorithm. It can deliver up to 800mA of charge current (using a good thermal PCB layout) with a final float voltage accuracy of ±1%. The LTC4054 includes an […]
App note: The effect of pan material in an induction cooker
A good read on induction cooker and the effects of pan material used, app note(PDF) from ON Semiconductors. Induction heating is a well established method of generating heat in metal goods and has been used for decades. The induction cooking market is well established, but little has been written regarding the properties and interactions of […]
App note: Using the DAC as a function generator
A function generator from an C8051 DAC application note(PDF) from Silicon Labs This document describes how to implement an interrupt driven multifunction generator on C8051 devices using the on-chip digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Four different waveforms expandable to any periodic function defined in a table. – Sine Wave (Table Defined) – Square Wave (Calculated) – Triangle […]