This is fairly old but interesting over current protection using Hiccup-mode from Microsemi. PDF here. Hiccup-mode is a method of operation in a power supply whose purpose is to protect the power supply from being damaged during an over-current fault condition. It also enables the power supply to restart when the fault is removed. There […]
Category Archives: app notes
App note: How not to design analog filters!
An analog filter design by Chris Francis from Analog IC Tips. Link here
App note: Faster switching from standard couplers
Here’s Vishay’s app note: Faster switching from standard couplers (PDF!): Applications employing lower-performance “standard couplers” can still be optimized for switching speed. Thoughit can not be expected that these devices will perform to the level of specialized “high-speed” devices, they can be more than adequate for many switching applications, up to the 1 μs range. These standard couplers […]
app note: A simple current-sense technique eliminating a sense resistor
An old but interesting app note(PDF) from Microsemi on resistorless current-sensing technique. This application note introduces a simple current-sense technique that eliminates that sense resistor, resulting in system-cost reduction, PCB space saving, and power efficiency improvement. Furthermore, the new current sensing mechanism allows higher dynamic tripping current than the static one (built-in low-pass filtering) to […]
App note: Magnetoresistive angle measurement
An angle measurement solution from Analog Devices app note (PDF!). An AMR (anisotropicmagneto resistive) angle measurement solution with 1°angular accuracy over a 180° range. The circuit is ideal for applications where high speed, accurate, non-contact angle measurements are critical. The circuit provides all necessary signal conditioning including instrumentation amplifiers, buffers, and a dual channel ADC […]
Using the AVR hardware multiplier
Here’s how to use the hardware multiplier to make a multiply-and-accumulate operation (MAC), an app note from Atmel (PDF!): Features • 8- and 16-bit Implementations • Signed and Unsigned Routines • Fractional Signed and Unsigned Multiply • Executable Example Programs The megaAVR is a series of new devices in the AVR RISC Microcontroller family that includes, among other […]
A single-supply Op-Amp circuit collection
An application note from Texas Instruments, A single-supply Op-Amp circuit collection (PDF!): There have been many excellent collections of op-amp circuits in the past, but all of them focus exclusively on split-supply circuits. Many times, the designer who has to operate a circuit from a single supply does not know how to do the conversion. Single-supply […]
App note: Tips for writing bulletproof real-time clock control code
Here’s a good app note from Maxim on writing real-time clock code to get a stable system operation. With the use of proper device initialization and code sequencing, accurate timekeeping and clock alarm operations become a more manageable task.
App note: Water and condensation safe touch sensing with the NXP capacitive touch sensors
App note (PDF) from NXP on water and condensation resistant capacitive touch sensors. This application note explains the unique auto-calibration feature of the touch sensor family from NXP and provides guidelines for enhanced water and condensation safe operation, focusing on applications with capacitive touch buttons.
Recommended usage of Microchip serial RTCC devices
Another good app note from Microchip, a guidance in using the Microchip RTCC family of devices (PDF): This application note provides assistance and guidance in using the Microchip RTCC family of devices. This application note covers both the I 2C™ (MCP794XX) and SPI (MCP795XXX) family of devices. These recommendations are not meant as requirements, however, their […]
Simple link budget estimation and performance measurements of Microchip sub-GHz radio modules
Assessing the link budget with this app note (PDF) from Microchip: This application note describes a simple link budget analysis, measurement and techniques to evaluate the range and performance of wireless transmission with results, and uses developed models to estimate the path loss for short range Microchip Sub-GHz modules using MRF89XA and MRF49XA radios both for […]
App note: Switching power supply design with the PIC16F785
An SMPS application using PIC16F785 from Microchip, app note here (PDF). In this application note, we will examine a typical buck topology intelligent SMPS design using the PIC16F785. The design presented here shows an alternative single-chip approach to adding intelligence to SMPS designs. The basic design is really unchanged. There are current and voltage feedback […]
App note: Gas and water metering with the PIC16F91X family
Good app note from Microchip on using PIC micro for metering application. Electronic utility meters are an important step towards automating the utility metering process. Automated utility meters allow many new features that help reduce the cost of utilities to customers and reduce the cost of delivering utilities to the utility provider.
App note: Using the Microchip motor model library for Simulink
Using the Microchip motor model library for Simulink, app note here (PDF!): Microchip’s Motor Model Library is a set of components (“blocks”) that can be used with the Simulink® simula- tion tool from MathWorks®. These blocks are intended to allow engineers to model a system with Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSMs) under closed- loop control of an […]
App note: NXP Smartphone Quick-Jack Solution
An interesting app note (PDF) from NXP where you can interface your mobile phone with a microcontroller via the audio 3.5mm jack. Inspired by the University of Michigan’s Project HiJack, the NXP Smartphone Quick-Jack Solution repurposes the standard 3.5mm stereo audio jack found on most smartphones into a self-powered data channel that makes communication with […]
App note: Sending I2C-bus signals via long communications cables
Extend I2C communication distance with this app note (PDF) from NXP. Reliable I2C-bus communication at high data rates, and over many meters, can be achieved using widely available twisted- pair communication cable (e.g. Category 5e and similar 4-pair cables, as typically used for Ethernet communications). The two bidirectional I2C-bus signals, SDA and SCL, are split […]
App note: An overview of DMX512A
An overview of (Digital Multiplex) DMX512A (PDF!) from Microchip: This application note presents an overview of DMX512A. It shows and explains the recommended electrical and electronic requirements, then presents how the protocol was implemented in the Microchip Technology DMX512 Library. Included is a discussion on using the back-channel capabilities. DMX512 is the most common lighting communications protocol used […]
App note: USB to I²C bridge reference guide
A USB to I²C bridge reference guide (PDF!) from Microchip: Microchip’s SCSI USB to I²CTM bridge devices provide a USB to I²C bridge. The I²C bridge utilizes SCSI pass-through commands using the Mass Storage Class driver. The internal hub can have e.g., three ports enabled with two exposed externally. This document includes the following topics: • Example of […]
App note: Power inductors 8-design tips
A practical guide for the selection of power inductors for DC/DC converters from Würth Elektronik. Link to the app note here, alternatively the whole article in PDF can be found here
App note: USB port protection
USB port protection from EMI and ESD, a good app note from Würth Elektronik introduce you to their common mode chokes and TVS diodes solution. Whole article here in PDF. The USB-Interface might be the most distributed PC interface in the world. The usage in industry applications is more and more common. Let’s have a […]