Here is an app note from Texas Instruments describing how to implement multiple time-base outputs from a single timer module on a MSP430 microcontroller. The timer modules on MSP430™ ultra-low power microcontrollers often base several different outputs off of a single time base – a single timer period. This is especially true for the typical […]
Category Archives: app notes
App note: Low power design guide for PICs
Here is a design guide from Microchip describing low power design with PIC microcontrollers. The document provides theory behind some low power designs, and examples on how to implement them in your projects. Low-power applications represent a significant portion of the future market for embedded systems. Every year, more designers are required to make designs […]
6-Channel intelligent fan controller
An app note on a multichannel fan controller: Intelligent Fan Controller Cost-Effectively Improves System Energy Efficiency and Reliability Provides energy savings by operating fans at the minimum required conditions Improves system reliability Lowers system cost by providing all the functions for controlling multiple fans with one IC Thanks rsdio!
USB host charger identification analog switches
rsdio writes: These support both Apple and legacy charger detection Industry’s First and Smallest USB BC1.1 Host ID Switch for USB Power Ports USB BC1.1 specification complies with latest battery charger specification Provides Hi-Speed USB switching ±15kV ESD for robust protection
Quad SPST +70V analog switches
An app note on analog switches: MAX14756, MAX14757, MAX14758 Quad SPST +70V Analog Switches Family of +70V Analog Switches are Ideal for Industrial and Battery Management Applications Provides enhanced performance and protection, eliminating the need for expensive optorelays Low leakage (2.5nA, max), low on-resistance (5Ω, typ), and low on-resistance flatness (0.03Ω, typ) minimize the voltage […]
Complete energy-harvesting and power-management chip
An app note on a MAX17710 energy-harvesting charger and protector: Maxim Integrated Products introduces the MAX17710, the industry’s first IC to integrate all of the power-management functions for ambient energy harvesting, as well as for charging and protecting micro-energy cells (MECs), a form of solid-state battery. Operating at an ultra-low current level, the MAX17710 accepts […]
App note: Using High-Side NMOS drivers
Here is an app note describing how and why to use NMOS transistors for high-side switching operations, and how to implement it using associated drivers. At first glance, P-channel MOSFETs appear to be the natural choice for high side switching. Unfortunately, the RDS(ON) exhibited by most P-channels is prohibitively high.(Mother Nature has decreed that electron […]
App note: MSP430 based USB Li-Ion battery charger with fuel gauge
An MSP430-based USB Li-Ion battery charger with a fuel gauge: The example cases discussed in this application report provide a basic understanding of what needs to be done at production, as well as on the application level, to achieve the aforementioned goals. The associated software provides library functions to interface and communicate with the bq27410 […]
App note: Precision current-transmitter/source-sink calibrator with wide range
rsdio writes: In conjunction with the recent discussion of how difficult it is to control current draw (in a USB Device), here is an example of a circuit that sinks (draws) a precise current, rather than creating a specific voltage. Precision Current-Transmitter/Source-Sink Calibrator Has Wide Compliance Range Based on a precision op amp (MAX4236), this […]
App note: One serial EEPROM footprint to rule them all
Microchip describes how to make CAD footprints that fit several different sizes of serial EEPROM data storage chips. This gives your project flexibility in case the larger footprints can no longer be sourced: For many years, the 8-lead SOIC package has been the most popular package for serial EEPROMs, but now smaller packages are becoming […]
App note: Using the LTM2881 as an Isolated 5V power supply
Here is an app note from Linear Technology on how to use their LTMM2881 isolated RS485 transceiver as a isolated 5v power supply. The LTM®2881 is an isolated RS485 transceiver that guards against large ground-to-ground differentials. An onboard DC/DC converter provides isolated 5V power to the output.
App note: Precision current limiting with the LMP8646
Here is an app note from Texas Instruments describing how to use their LMP8646 ‘shunt’ current monitor as a current limiter on linear, and switching power supplies. The LMP8646 is a precision current limiter used to improve the current limit accuracy of any switching or linear regulator with an available feedback node. Many regulators might […]
App note: Control a USB Host-enabled AVR from an Android device
Atmel describes how to control an AVR chip from an Android device. This document introduces the Android Open Accessory Protocol for Atmel® microcontrollers. The library and examples are included in the Atmel AVR® Software Framework (ASF) to provide the customer with a quick and easy way to get started with developing an Android accessory. The […]
App note: USB Host stack programmer’s guide
A guide to Microchip’s USB Host stack. USB Host hardware lets a small chip like a PIC use USB hardware like flash drives, printers, or in this case any type of custom hardware. This document is an in-depth programmer’s guide for those customers who need to implement their own driver to allow an embedded host […]
App note: Useful analog circuits for digital systems
Here is an oldie, but a goodie. The late analog guru Jim Williams describes lots of analog circuits that were used in digital systems. Most of these are now integrated into digital ICs, some are still in use today. The pristine, regimented symmetry of digital circuit boards is occasionally interrupted by an irregular huddle of […]
App note: 112W Boost driver for long strings of LEDs
Maxim shows how to build a 112 watt DC-DC boost driver for long strings of LEDs. The driver is current controlled,with adjustable output from 0 to 1.5Amps. This reference design is for a high-voltage boost current source for very long strings of LEDs. Applications that use long LED strings include, but are not limited to, […]
App note: Interfacing a 3volt microcontroller to 5volt peripherals
It can be a challenge to interface 5volt stuff with modern 3.3volt microcontrollers like an ARM or MSP430. This app note covers several circuits for voltage translation on input, output, and bidirectional pins. The interfacing of the 3-V MSP430x1xx and MSP430x4xx microcontroller families to circuits with a supply of 5 V or higher is shown. […]
App note: Digital compass reference design
A PIC18F2520-based digital compass using magneto-resistive sensors to measure the magnetic field in 3-axies: This application note will focus on a simple, low-cost, hand-held digital compass design using a Microchip PIC18F2520 microcontroller. This compass application can be integrated into your own design, or as a building block in an advanced navigation tracking device similar to […]
Dual-output DC/DC power supply for AMOLED
Rsdio tipped us to a dual-output switch mode power supply reference design based on the MAX17116. The part and reference circuit can provide both negative and positive supplies to AMOLED displays. The MAX17116 includes two current-mode 1.4MHz switch mode power-supply (SMPS) regulators for active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays. The positive supply is provided by […]
App note: Avoid clock stretch in I2C with Atmel tinyAVR
Here is an app note from Atmel describing how their TWI (I2C) peripheral, found in tinyAVRs, avoids SCL clock stretching. This application note describes a TWI slave driver for the ATtiny20 and ATtiny40. Aslave software driver is included. The application note explains how the TWI SCL clock is not stretched, provided that the AVR clock […]