A power supply design app note from MAXIM. This article outlines power, ground PCB, and system layout hints and kinks. It includes an overview of using power, ground star points, and multifrequency power decoupling. It also shows how to control the component placement to minimize the size of the high-current switching loop.
Category Archives: app notes
App note: Gamma-photon radiation detector
An app note on Gamma-photon radiation detector (PDF!) by Maxim: A PIN photodiode, four low-noise op amps and a comparator are used to detect individual photons of gamma radiation. The schematic, design considerations and component selection are discussed.
App note: High speed amplifier techniques
An old but interesting app note (PDF!) from Linear on high speed amplifier techniques: Most monolithic amplifiers have been relatively slow devices. Wideband operation has been the province o discrete and hybrid technologies. Some fast monolithic amplifiers have been available, but the exotic and expensive processing required has inflated costs, precluding widespread acceptance. Additionally, many of […]
App note: Analog-to-Digital conversion using a PIC16C5X/PIC16F5X
PIC16C5X and PIC16F5X microcontroller families are low cost off-the-shelf solution for common analog measurements like voltage and current. Here’s an app note (PDF) from Microchip on how to do A/D conversion on these chips. The converter requires only five external components and is software and hardware configurable for conversion resolutions from six bits up to […]
App note: Bit-Banging the SDI and SQI Modes of Microchip’s 23XX512/23XX1024 Serial SRAMs
Dual Mode(SDI) and Quad Mode(SQI) Serial interface are not common peripherals on many MCU today, Microchip’s app note (PDF) provides an alternative way to communicate with these SRAMs using existing GPIOs pins in bit-bang. This application note explains in detail the recommended usage of the SDI and SQI modes of operation of the Microchip 23XX512/23XX1024 […]
App note: Using BGA Packages
Space saving BGA packages application note (PDF) from Fairchild Semiconductors. Demanding space and weight requirements of personal computing and portable electronic equipment has led to many innovations in IC packaging. Combining the right interface and logic products with new package technology can have a significant impact on the capabilities and form-factor of the end product. […]
App note: Audible noise reduction techniques for Fairchild Power Switch Applications
Here’s an app note (PDF) from Fairchild Semiconductor on how to solve audible noise problem on their power switch applications. In general, switched mode power supplies do not generate audible noise when they operate at constant ultrasonic frequencies (>20kHz). However, some switched mode power supplies can produce audible noise at certain load conditions. Most Fairchild […]
App note: Getting started with the MAXQ622 evaluation kit
Here’s an getting started guide from Maxim describing their MAXQ622 low-power RISC microcontroller: This application note describes how to create, build, and debug applications targeted for the MAXQ622 low-power RISC microcontroller. The article uses the IAR Embedded Workbench toolset and C compiler available from IAR Systems.
App note: ESD and EMC sensitivity of IC
A good beginner app note (PDF) from NXP on protecting ICs from ESD. Integrated circuits are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (a sudden and short-time flow of currents) and electromagnetic fields (at which they can be source or victim of both of it). This application note shall be understood as an introductive basic description of what […]
App note: Power losses and junction temperatures on parallel Schottkys as secondary rectifiers in flyback adapter
Parallel Schottkys performance over single Shottkys app note (PDF) from NXP This document gives an overview of power losses and the consequential junction temperature rise of two parallel Schottkys as secondary side rectifiers in flyback power adapters with up to 12.5 W output power. The focus is set on a comparison of the parallel configuration […]
App note: Free-fall sensing for drop-force modeling using a Kionix MEMS tri-axis accelerometer
Here’s another app note (PDF) from Kionix on their tri-axis accelerometer applications. An earlier set-up was used in the application note’s experiment. This application note describes how to use a Kionix MEMS tri-axis accelerometer as a free-fall sensor for drop force modeling applications. Required theory, equations, and sample event signatures are provided with this note […]
App note: Interfacing the KXP94 or KXR94 tri-axis accelerometer with the Texas Instruments MSP430F149 microprocessor to measure tilt and other motions
Capture motions with Kionix’ Tri-Axis Accelerometers and a TI’s MSP430F149. App note here (PDF) Kionix linear accelerometers function on the principle of differential capacitance. Acceleration causes displacement of a silicon structure resulting in a change in capacitance. A signal-conditioning CMOS technology ASIC detects and transforms changes in capacitance into an analog output voltage which is […]
App note: MIC2039 single input, stack configuration for high current applications
An app note (PDF) from MICREL on their MIC2039 stackable switches with programmable current limiter. Because processors are required to work faster with each successive generation and the consumer electronics market is expanding, the demand for compact power control circuits with high current capability is ever increasing. The MIC2039 switches feature an adjustable output current […]
App note: AC switch triggering with 3.3 V power supply
Controlling AC switches from a 3.3V MCU pin, an app note (PDF) from ST. This document focuses on the calculation of gate current consumption of various types of AC switches when using a 3.3 V power supply. Until now, the standard of a 5 V power supply was used. In home appliance applications there is […]
App note: Principles of SAWR-stabilized oscillators and transmitters
Principles of SAW-stabilized oscillators and transmitters from EPCOS, app note here (PDF!) This application note describes the physical principle of SAW-stabilized oscillator. Oscillator structures for one- and two-port SAW resonators are discussed. An application example for a 433.92MHz transmitter for keyless entry is given
App note: Accelerometer Errors
Temperature dependence, Sensor bias, Ratiometric error due to supply voltage variation and etc. These are some of the errors made by accelerometers, here’s an app note from Kionix to help you deal with it. Although everyone would like them to be, sensors are not perfect. Understanding the accelerometer’s errors is just as important as understanding […]
App note: Warranty Protection Using a Kionix MEMS Tri- Axis Accelerometer
Shock and vibration detection as part of product warranty protection, these sensors can be part of any drop sensitive devices i.e. Hard disk drives to record shock instances for warranty claims. Here’s an interesting app note (PDF) from Kionix. This application note describes how to use a Kionix MEMS tri-axis accelerometer as part of a […]
App note: Guidelines for the MAX5977’s critical component placement and routing
Guidelines for the MAX5977’s critical component placement and routing from Maxim, app note here: This application note presents guidelines for the placement and routing of the most critical components and traces in a typical design for the MAX5977 high-performance, hot-swap, electronic fuse, high-side current-sense controller.
App note: Surface mount LEDs- applications
How to use SMD LEDs to replace through hole LEDs, this app note (PDF) from OSRAM discusses about light guides/pipes, backlighting and lenses to channel its display efficiently. The use of SMT-TOPLED varies greatly from the use of traditional through hole LEDs. Historically through hole LEDs have been incorporated directly into front panels using the […]
App note: Analog switch allows USB switching at low voltages
Multiplexing USB pins using analog switches solves pin sharing between devices. Here’s a good app note(PDF) from ON Semiconductor. NLAS2066 is a dual SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) switch with over-voltage tolerance (OVT) in its input pins. The OVT feature permits the device to be used for the purpose of sharing of pins in size […]