Ftdi’s FT2232H chip is a very useful device, it has two USB channels supporting the High speed USB standard. When the highest bandwidth is needed, the FT245 synchronous FIFO mode provides the best performance delivering up to 40MB/s transfer rates. This app note by FTDI provides all the necessary information to get this mode started. […]
Category Archives: app notes
App note: Implementing ultrasonic ranging on PIC16 microcontrollers
This app note by Microchip describes how to implement ultrasonic ranging on their PIC16 family of microcontrollers. Object ranging is essential in many types of systems. One of the most popular ranging techniques is ultrasonic ranging. Ultrasonic ranging is used in a wide variety of applications including: • Autofocus cameras • Motion detection • Robotics […]
App note: Murphy’s Law and the risks of Designing “Off Data Sheet”
Murphy’s law is a undisputed fact of life, and this app note by Maxim explains how it impacts electronics design. This application note considers off-data-sheet operation of integrated circuits (ICs). It discusses the pitfalls awaiting engineers who have not experienced Murphy’s Law, which is anything that can go wrong, will go wrong at the worst […]
App note: Implementing PID on PIC18 microcontrollers
PID is implemented when a precise way is needed to drive an external device that provides feedback. Heaters with temperature sensors, and servo motors are examples where PID is used. This app note by Microchip gives instructions how to implement PID control in PIC18 projects. Basic terms are explained inside the document as well as […]
App note: Understanding Schmitt triggers
Most logic ICs require fast transitions between levels to function properly, while the switch is being made the IC draws additional current, and if it is kept in this intermediate state failure of the chip is possible. This app note explains how Shmitt triggers are used in circuits that require slow changing signals to drive […]
App note: Performance enhancement of three terminal voltage regulators
Three terminal voltage regulators like the lm317 are common and easy to use, for most applications only two additional resistors are needed to get a stable power supply. This app note by Linear Technology provides guidelines how to increase the performance of these devices. Current output could be increased from a few amps to tens […]
App note: Understanding switch-mode boost power stages
Boosting DC voltage is required in many applications, like LCD backlight, powering a 5v device with a battery and many more. This app note from Texas Instruments gives a detailed explanation on how it works and how to calculate all your components based on input/output specifications. The report includes detailed steady-stage and small-signal analysis of the boost power […]
App note: Thermocouples, and design guidelines for AD59X TC amplifiers
Analog Devices has an app note on thermocouple basics, and some guidelines on how to design projects with their AD595 and AD594 thermocouple amplifiers. Temperature is the most frequently measured physical parameter. However, the techniques of temperature measurement are grossly misunderstood, often resulting in serious inaccuracies or meaningless data. Thermocouples are basically two wires made […]
App note: Board layout tips for switchmode DC/DC converters
The app note featured here provides basic PCB layout tips for building switch-mode DC/DC converters. As an integral part of their function, switch mode converters have square like signals in some of their traces. These signals create harmonics from the switching frequency that can cause much EMI interference, as well as decreased stability of the converter. […]
App note: DMX512 receiver and transmitter on a PIC
DMX512 is a 3 wire interface protocol used in professional lighting. This app note by Microchip explains all the protocol details and how to implement it on any PIC microcontroller with a hardware UART peripheral. Only external part is a RS485 transceiver. DMX512 transmitter sends 512 8bit data packets one after the other to 512 individual […]
App note: High speed USB design guidelines
This app note by Intel covers how to design for high speed USB. It’s full of great tips for your next project. While mainly written for multi-layer motherboard design, we picked up tips on proper termination and routing techniques. We picked up tips on routing and placement guidelines, trace length and spacing, proper termination, plane splits, […]
App note: Building a stable DAC external reference circuit
Having a stable external reference is important in digital-to-analog converter design and this app note helps. For a DAC to function properly it must have a stable reference to create a precise output signal. Unfortunately because it is a simple concept, proper reference design is usually overlooked. In this app note from TI a simple force and […]
App note: Driving LEDs in battery-operated applications
Driving many LEDs from a battery can be a pain to do, especially if you need many of them to have the same brightness. One way to do this is to use current mirrors for each individual LED, and drive them from the battery voltage only. Another is to drive them with a dc-dc boost converter in […]
App note: Using Microchip’s capacitive sensing module
Capacitive sensing is used in tons of stuff like buttons, sliders, touch panels and proximity sensors. We like it because you only need to design the various buttons/sliders directly on the PCB and it works even under a face plate. It works by measuring the changing capacitance between a pad and a users finger as […]
Multiband digital television tuner
rsdio writes: I’d rather find a DTV modulator chip than a tuner, but maybe some day… MAX3544 Multiband Digital Television Tuner Achieves Highest Performance with Spur-Free, Easy Design-In Architecture Addressing Worldwide Digital Standards Offers robust picture and increased receiving range to require much less engineering effort to implement Provides one single pin out and board […]
Dual, unipolar/bipolar, high-voltage digital pulsers
rsdio writes: Hmm, maybe this would work as an EL Wire (electroluminescent wire) driver:MAX14811 Highly Integrated, Dual Digital Pulser.
Low-power digital ambient light sensor with I2C interface
An app note on a low-power digital ambient light sensor with an I2C interface: Optimized for black glass operations Consumes less power with ultra-low 1µA operating current Eliminates the need for different supply rails which saves cost and board area by using 1.7V to 3.6V VCC operation Delivers 0.025 lux to 104,444 lux sense range […]
Universal Serial Bus general-purpose device controller
rsdio writes: Depending upon the quality of open-source 8051 compiler tools, this might be a good chip (one of many like the EzUSB) for open hardware development without being stuck with Microchip’s partially open tool chain. The TUSB3210 is a USB-based controller targeted as a general-purpose MCU with GPIO. The TUSB3210 has 8K × 8 […]
App note: Simple nonvolatile gating
rsdio writes: Wow, this is one of the strangest articles I’ve seen. The approach seems wasteful. Discuss? As an alternative to the use of PALs, GALs, or CPLD devices to implement a non-volatile gating function, these circuits store the gating signal (block or transmit) using a digital potentiometer (MAX5427 or MAX5527) controlled by a serial […]
App note: Protect LED driver in backlit displays
rsdio tipped us to an app note on protecting a boost-converter LED driver : Several circuit ideas are presented for protecting a boost-converter LED driver when the LEDs are disconnected. (Without protection, the driver output can destroy the external MOSFET and Schottky diode.) An LED-driver IC (MAX1698) and comparator (MAX9060 or MAX9028) are included.