Innovation is critical in today’s engineering world and it demands technical knowledge and the highest level of creativity. Seeing compact articles that solve design problems or display innovative ways to accomplish design tasks can help to fuel your electronics creativity.
You can find many very circuit ideas at ePanorama.net circuits page.
In addition to this links to interesting electronics design related articles worth to check out can be posted to the comments section.
1,935 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electrothinks.com/2020/05/Audio-amplifier-with-single-transistor.html?m=1
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/05/09/an-op-amp-from-the-ground-up/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Calculating mains frequency power transformers
https://www.giangrandi.ch/electronics/trafo/trafo.shtml?fbclid=IwAR3mEC37aYnbiLvjyuXB_DskWGMZcFAdszNfHDLRb43H4qTVeXlrU325UPM
In this page a simple method of calculating mains frequency closed-core power transformers. This is intended for home brewing, repairing and modifying transformers. Please remark that even if this method and some equations could be generalized, only classical cores composed by steel plates are taken into account.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_wiring
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.edn.com/a-practical-guide-to-signal-integrity-in-high-speed-serdes-applications-part-1/?utm_content=buffer90b5e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=edn_facebook&utm_campaign=buffer
Tomi Engdahl says:
Create radio receiver circuits with the LM386 audio amplifier
https://www.edn.com/create-radio-receiver-circuits-with-the-lm386-audio-amplifier/
Although the ubiquitous LM386 IC was designed to be used as an audio amplifier, it has a number of undocumented characteristics that can be exploited to create simple radio receiver circuits that deliver surprisingly high performance. These circuits can be used for receiving AM, CW, and SSB RF transmissions in the medium and shortwave bands without the need for an external antenna.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/167692/are-relays-reliable-for-long-time-use
Tomi Engdahl says:
Intruder detector Burglar alarm that auto-activates at Night
https://www.electroinvention.co.in/intruder-detector-burglar-alarm-auto-on
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electroinvention.co.in/ic555-calculator-online-ic-555-astable
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electrothinks.com/2020/05/Audio-amplifier-with-single-transistor.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
BJT vs MOSFET vs IGBT differences and how test accurately.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpQPt6GgKes
Mosfet tester circuit using mosfet irfz44
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaoBv-rAbg
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Transformer_equivalent_circuit.svg
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to Make Audio Level VU Meter using LM3914 IC | Electronics Projects
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6vLgSmX3gM
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Philips EE (Electronic Experimentation) kits
Annotations, information and new designs concerning the EE2000 and EE2001 series constructions
https://www.kranenborg.org/ee/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics
Tomi Engdahl says:
Decapping chips
https://www.google.com/search?q=decapping+chips&oq=decapping+chips&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.7496j0j7&client=ms-android-samsung-ga-rev1&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
Tomi Engdahl says:
One interesting use of Internet searching, say DuckDuckGo.com is letting it search for various types of circuits as Images…would be surprised at times what turns up…
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=assorted+electronic+circuits&t=brave&ia=images&iax=images
or
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=electronic+circuits+diy&t=brave&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images
Tomi Engdahl says:
Use a photoelectric-FET optocoupler as a linear voltage-controlled #potentiometer #DesignIdeas #DIWednesday #feedback #circuit
Use a photoelectric-FET optocoupler as a linear voltage-controlled potentiometer
https://www.edn.com/use-a-photoelectric-fet-optocoupler-as-a-linear-voltage-controlled-potentiometer/?utm_content=buffera7c78&utm_medium=social&utm_source=edn_facebook&utm_campaign=buffer
You can use a photoelectric FET as a variable resistor or a potentiometer in combination with a fixed resistor. The H11F3M photoelectric FET has an isolation voltage of 7.5 kV, enabling you to safely control highvoltage circuit parameters. The nonlinear-transfer characteristics of these devices are problematic, however (Figure 1). To correct the nonlinearity, using a simple feedback mechanism as a potentiometer yields a linear response (Figure 2). This circuit uses two photoelectric FETs—one for feedback and the other for applications requiring an isolated potentiometer. You connect the inputs of the two photoelectric FETs in series to ensure the same amount of current for the input LEDs.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zobel_network
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_system_measurements
Tomi Engdahl says:
Use a photoelectric-FET optocoupler as a linear voltage-controlled #potentiometer #DesignIdeas #feedback #circuit https://buff.ly/2M9092L
Tomi Engdahl says:
11 Myths About Motors
Electric motors can be found in most types of machinery. Here we examine some of the common myths about their selection, operation, and future.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21132216/11-myths-about-motors?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS200522024&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
How hot is too hot to touch?
https://www.edn.com/how-hot-is-too-hot-to-touch/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=link&utm_medium=EDNWeekly-20200521
Ergo, it would be prudent from the standpoint of user safety that if you are designing anything with a heat sink whose surfaces are open to human contact, that you should not allow those surfaces to rise above, or even to reach, a temperature of 50°C.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Input Protection for Low-Distortion Op-Amp Circuits
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/analog/article/21131760/input-protection-for-lowdistortion-opamp-circuits?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS200519051&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Junction capacitance and common-mode distortion: How protecting your op amps may be spoiling your linearity
A subject rarely found in circuit design textbooks is the matter of nonlinear junction capacitance, especially reverse-bias junction capacitance, also called depletion capacitance. When it is discussed, it’s usually with regard to fast switching circuits, and even then, it’s normally treated as linear.
Yet in many situations, junction capacitance will be found to be the main cause of distortion in otherwise highly linear analog circuits. This article is principally concerned with two instances of this phenomenon, often encountered simultaneously: input protection circuits and common-mode distortion in op amps.
Junction Capacitance and Distortion
To appreciate the effect this can have on a linear circuit, consider Figure 2, which shows a simple network consisting of a series resistance and a pair of diodes, each reverse-biased to the bipolar power rails. Such a network often forms part of an overvoltage protection circuit. Any incoming voltage greater than the supply rails (plus one diode drop) will be clamped, protecting any downstream device. In practice, the resistor may be explicitly included to limit the fault current through the diodes, or it may be implicit within the source impedance of whatever the signal source is, or a mixture of both.
Figure 2 also shows the total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) measured for this circuit using Audio Precision System 1, or AB1 (80-kHz measurement bandwidth), adjusted to achieve 20 dBu at the analyzer input.
Adding a pair of 1N4148s reveals the scale of the problem: They introduce significantly more distortion, mainly odd harmonics (Fig. 3). The distortion declines above 10 kHz due to harmonics being filtered out by the input capacitance and bandwidth limit of the analyzer.
As a reality check that this is indeed caused by junction capacitance
Common-Mode Distortion
Having witnessed the influence of junction capacitance using discrete diodes, it becomes easier to appreciate the same effect taking place in op amps. Here, it’s called common-mode distortion because it occurs when an op amp is configured in non-inverting mode, meaning there’s a common-mode voltage on each input when amplifying a signal.
The distortion is caused by exactly the same mechanism of nonlinear junction capacitance considered previously, but this time within the op amp itself. It will be due principally to the base-collector capacitance of the internal input transistors, and to any parasitic diodes between the inputs and the substrate.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Determining Resonator Q Factor from Return-Loss Measurement Alone
Engineers often want to measure the Q factor of a resonator. But did you know you could affordably and accurately determine that Q factor from a return-loss measurement?
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/test-measurement/article/21132616/determining-resonator-q-factor-from-returnloss-measurement-alone?utm_source=RF+MWRF+Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS200528032&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Different Twist to Single-Wire Data Transmission
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/embedded-revolution/article/21132955/a-different-twist-to-singlewire-data-transmission
This alternative method for a single-wire data-transmission system is designed to handle a large number of component
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ultra-Low-Noise Phantom Microphone Supply Uses Tiny DC-DC Converter Plus Capacitor “Trick”
A mini dc-dc boost converter and filter scheme using a clever arrangement of capacitor and high-beta transistor provides the 48-V phantom power source needed for a condenser microphone.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21130551/ultralownoise-phantom-microphone-supply-uses-tiny-dcdc-converter-plus-capacitor-trick?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS200505081&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
Use a low-distortion Wien-bridge #oscillator to acquire the FFT of a pure sinusoid of about 5 kHz #DesignIdeas #DIWednesday #opamps #circuitdesign
Injection-lock a Wien-bridge oscillator
https://www.edn.com/injection-lock-a-wien-bridge-oscillator/?utm_content=buffer85c1d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=edn_facebook&utm_campaign=buffer
Tomi Engdahl says:
EM simulation for EMC: keeping a lid on interference
https://www.edn.com/em-simulation-for-emc-keeping-a-lid-on-interference/?utm_content=buffer283ab&utm_medium=social&utm_source=edn_facebook&utm_campaign=buffer
Simulating your product’s EM (electromagnetic) radiation will help ensure that you pass FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and CE (Conformité Européenne) tests and will keep your project on schedule. Every product must have EMC (electromagnetic-compatibility) tests. The FCC requires that you test your products to ensure that EM radiation will not cause interference with radios, phones, and TVs. In addition to testing for EM radiation, your product must also exhibit electromagnetic immunity, meaning that a strike from a defined EM pulse will not significantly disturb the product’s performance
Tomi Engdahl says:
BJT operation regions
https://electrocircuits.org/bjt-operation-regions/
Tomi Engdahl says:
555 and 4013 Inverter Circuit
https://electrocircuits.org/555-and-4013-inverter-circuit/
In this design, the IC 555 is in astable multivibrator configuration for oscillation. The position of the pot or variable resistor determines the frequency of the oscillation. You can set the frequency from 50Hz to 60Hz. After the oscillation, IC 4013 divides the frequency into two. The power MOSFETs IRF3205 amplify the oscillating outputs from the IC 4013 and the transformer steps up this voltage to upto 110V – 230V. The input voltages range from 10V to 12V. You can improve or increase the output power of this inverter to up to 1000W or more.
Tomi Engdahl says:
LM741 operational amplifier Op Amp IC Pinout, spec datasheet, and Projects
https://www.electroniclinic.com/lm741-operational-amplifier-op-amp-ic-pinout-spec-datasheet-and-projects/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Brute force beats the barrel power-connector barrier
https://www.edn.com/brute-force-beats-the-barrel-power-connector-barrier/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electroniclinic.com/24vdc-to-220vac-100-watt-50hz-inverter-circuit-diagram-and-working/
Tomi Engdahl says:
As a young engineer servicing electronic test and measuring instruments, I heard of this interesting law ( like Murphy’s laws) –
When the fuse is added to protect the transistor, the transistor blows out to protect the fuse !
And the (n-1) rule of servicing –
If you start dismantling an equipment and have n screws or bolts, you always end up with (n-1) screws or bolts or less, when reassembling the equipment !
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/electronichobycircuits/permalink/3263117433712943/
As a young engineer servicing electronic test and measuring instruments, I heard of this interesting law ( like Murphy’s laws) –
When the fuse is added to protect the transistor, the transistor blows out to protect the fuse !
And the (n-1) rule of servicing –
If you start dismantling an equipment and have n screws or bolts, you always end up with (n-1) screws or bolts or less, when reassembling the equipment !
Tomi Engdahl says:
Water Level Indicator Alarm With Transistor & 555 Timer IC
https://www.circuitdiagrams.in/2020/06/introduction-in-this-tutorial-i-will-be_5.html?m=1
Tomi Engdahl says:
Smoke Detector
https://www.circuitdiagrams.in/2020/06/smoke-detector-alarm-circuit.html?m=1
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.edn.com/gan-switcher-ics-boost-power-output/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=link&utm_medium=EDNConsumerElectronics-20200610
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.eetimes.com/gan-enabling-a-revolution-in-charger-design/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21133471/cut-out-the-noise-dealing-with-magnetic-interference?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS200604079&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
High-Accuracy Regulation of Low-Voltage, High-Current Supplies
Sponsored by Texas Instruments: Meeting demands of 1% to 3% accuracy in supply designs for many applications, especially those in tough environments, can be rather challenging. A new dc-dc converter offers a solution.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21133052/highaccuracy-regulation-of-lowvoltage-highcurrent-supplies?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS200604079&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electroniclinic.com/sine-wave-generator-using-ic-741-op-amp-operational-amplifier/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/hesam-moshiri/soft-starter-for-ac-and-dc-loads-c120ac
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.nwengineeringllc.com/article/dc-analysis-and-power-integrity-in-pcb-design.php
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.edn.com/brute-force-beats-the-barrel-power-connector-barrier/?utm_content=bufferac1ed&utm_medium=social&utm_source=edn_facebook&utm_campaign=buffer
Tomi Engdahl says:
This #amplifier evaluation kit with a 400-W continuous-output SMPS enables high #power Class D #audio designs GaN Systems Inc.
https://www.edn.com/amp-demo-board-teams-with-audio-grade-smps/?utm_content=bufferfd7dd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=edn_facebook&utm_campaign=buffer
Tomi Engdahl says:
Dither a #power converter’s operating frequency to reduce peak emissions #EMI #oscillator #CircuitDesign #DesignIdeas https://buff.ly/3dcXAYl
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.edn.com/maximizing-hardware-emulations-value-for-networking-designs/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Class X and Y capacitors are also given a number to represent their impulse test rating. The most common are X1 (tested to 4,000 volts), X2 (2,500 volts), Y1 (8,000 volts) and Y2 (5,000 volts).