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.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
Oscilloscope cursors complement other measurement tools
https://www.edn.com/oscilloscope-cursors-complement-other-measurement-tools/
Most oscilloscopes these days offer from 25 to 50 automated basic measurements with optional measurements for specialized analysis running close to 100. With all this measurement horsepower available it may seem somewhat archaic to retain the oscilloscope’s original measurement tools of screen graticules and cursors. But these original measurement tools are hardly outdated.
Tomi Engdahl says:
DESIGN IDEAS
Variable gain superbal circuit preserves CMRR
https://www.edn.com/variable-gain-superbal-circuit-preserves-cmrr/
The superbal circuit will be familiar to anyone involved in balanced signal transmission [1]; it is a differential amplifier which presents identical input impedances to both legs of a balanced line. Balanced loading is a necessity for the switching systems used in some audio mixing consoles, for example, to ensure signal balance and common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) are always maintained.
Tomi Engdahl says:
7 Ways to Quickly Judge the Quality of Your Printed Circuit Board Design
https://www.hackster.io/news/7-ways-to-quickly-judge-the-quality-of-your-printed-circuit-board-design-b2cc91c6d170
Although it really takes an expert in PCB design to do a proper full review, there are ways to quickly judge the quality of a PCB design.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.powerstream.com/9V-Alkaline-tests.htm
Tomi Engdahl says:
Match modular EMI AC line filters to application’s DC supply needs
https://www.edn.com/match-modular-emi-ac-line-filters-to-applications-dc-supply-needs/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Power-Supply Conundrum: Make or Buy?
https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21126591/the-powersupply-conundrum-make-or-buy?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS200326081&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Sponsored by Digi-Key and CUI: For today’s power designers, oftentimes the complexity of meeting regulatory standards makes the choice an easy one.
For many if not most electronic engineers, the power supply of your product isn’t your primary focus. Your priority concerns are the features, specifications, capabilities, cost, and performance of that product. Nonetheless, all designs need a power supply.
At some point you must get around to specifying your power needs and deciding how to meet them. The big decision is whether you make the power supply yourself or buy one? That choice has become easier over the years: These days, buying an off-the-shelf power supply is an increasingly good decision.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-dropout_regulator
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.edn.com/making-measurements-with-your-minds-eye/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.edn.com/inexpensive-envelope-tracker-handles-wide-signal-variations/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Circuits protect outputs against overvoltage
https://www.edn.com/circuits-protect-outputs-against-overvoltage/
In test-and-measurement applications, you must provide overvoltage protection for the output terminals of amplifiers, power supplies, and similar components. The conventional way to accomplish this task is to add series resistors with the output node along with the clamping diodes to power-supply rails or other threshold voltages (Reference 1 and Figure 1). This resistor significantly reduces current-output capability and the output-voltage swing with low-resistance loads. The alternative approach is to use fuses or other current-limiting devices, which precede these clamps’ high energy-absorption capability
Tomi Engdahl says:
Testing a power supply (Part 1)
https://www.edn.com/testing-a-power-supply-part-1/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.edn.com/reuse-existing-verification-assets-with-the-portable-test-and-stimulus-standard/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Hybrid Supercapacitors Are — Well — Super
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/14/hybrid-supercapacitors-are-well-super/
Kurt.energy is promoting a new line of hybrid supercapacitors. By itself, that wouldn’t be very newsworthy, but the company claims these graphene-based supercapacitors merge the best features of both supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries. Based on technology from a company called Shenzhen Toomen New Energy, the capacitors are optimized for either high energy or high power. They can reportedly charge and discharge 10-20 times faster than lithium-ion batteries. Of course, we’ve heard wild claims surrounding graphene capacitors before and, so far, they haven’t seemed very credible.
In depth technical presentation on carbon based hybrid power capacitors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvfFvz8n_Fk&feature=emb_logo
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/09/pcb-finishes-hack-chat/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why Some Chips Have Inconvenient Pinouts
https://hackaday.com/2020/02/17/why-some-chips-have-inconvenient-pinouts/
If you’ve ever handled a chip with a really strange or highly inconvenient pinout and suspected that the reason had something to do with the inner workings, you may be interested to see [electronupdate]’s analysis of why the 4017 Decade Counter IC has such a weirdly nonintuitive pinout. It peeks into an IC design dating from the 1970s to see an example of the kind of design issues that can affect physical layout.
https://electronupdate.blogspot.com/2019/11/why-does-the4017-decade-counter-have.html?view=classic
Tomi Engdahl says:
Wall Panels With 3760 Antennas Can Increase Wireless Range
https://hackaday.com/2020/02/15/wall-panels-with-3760-antennas-can-increase-wireless-range/
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Patch Antenna Is Just A Rectangle, It Should Be Easy To Design, Right?
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/01/a-patch-antenna-is-just-a-rectangle-it-should-be-easy-to-design-right/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Multiple PSUs share load
https://www.edn.com/multiple-psus-share-load/
Tomi Engdahl says:
MIT Researchers Have Developed User Interfaces and Displays That Can Be Spray Painted Onto Surfaces
The SprayableTech system can turn graffiti into large-scale interactive surfaces with sensors and displays
https://www.hackster.io/news/mit-researchers-have-developed-user-interfaces-and-displays-that-can-be-spray-painted-onto-surfaces-d46b9b554307
Tomi Engdahl says:
AD74412R/13R: Quad-Channel, SW Configurable Input/Output CircuitPrev
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X9z8E2hLHHM
The AD74412R is a quad-channel software configurable input/output solution for building and process control applications. The AD74412R contains functionality for analog output, analog input, digital input, and resistance temperature detector (RTD) measurements integrated into a single chip solution with an interface compatible with the serial port interface (SPI).
Tomi Engdahl says:
LM317 smooths but doesn’t regulate #DesignIdeas #circuit #powersupply #regulator
LM317 smooths but doesn’t regulate
https://www.edn.com/lm317-smooths-but-doesnt-regulate/?utm_content=buffer22ab6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=edn_facebook&utm_campaign=buffer
A well known power supply circuit is the capacitance multiplier. It doesn’t regulate, but instead reduces ripple & noise while the output tracks at some fraction of the input voltage.
This Design Idea demonstrates an alternative approach to the capacitance multiplier
The circuit “reverses” the standard hookup of the LM317 adjustable regulator.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Use an LM317 as 0 to 3V adjustable regulator
https://www.edn.com/use-an-lm317-as-0-to-3v-adjustable-regulator/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Mitigate clock intermodulation effects in characterization setups
https://www.edn.com/mitigate-clock-intermodulation-effects-in-characterization-setups/
Mixed-signal printed circuit boards (PCBs) present unique challenges in high-performance applications, such as vibration analysis and other multi-channel data acquisition systems. Nonlinear signal-chain elements introduce unwanted harmonic distortion, increasing the magnitude of the input signal’s harmonic content. Meanwhile, multiple switching elements produce intermodulation artifacts that present themselves as frequency spurs asynchronous to the signals of interest. The noise and distortion degradation introduced by these nonidealities can significantly limit the overall performance of applications aiming for high resolution at high bandwidth.
In this article, we’ll explain how clocks and other switching elements produce intermodulation artifacts, analyze their impact on high-performance signal chains, and present PCB guidelines and bench setup techniques to minimize their effect.
Tomi Engdahl says:
800+ Electrical & Electronic Abbreviations with Full Forms. A-Z
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2020/04/electrical-electronic-abbreviations-full-forms.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Unable cable proves stable
https://www.edn.com/unable-cable-proves-stable/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=ad&utm_medium=EDNFunFriday-20200424
Tomi Engdahl says:
Design vs. manufacturing: A failed directional coupler
https://www.edn.com/design-vs-manufacturing-a-failed-directional-coupler/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=link&utm_medium=EDNFunFriday-20200424
Tomi Engdahl says:
Multiple PSUs share load
https://www.edn.com/multiple-psus-share-load/
Choosing the “right” AC/DC supply: the priorities may not be obvious
https://www.edn.com/choosing-the-right-ac-dc-supply-the-priorities-may-not-be-obvious/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Types of Electrical Drawing and Diagrams
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2020/04/types-electrical-drawing-diagrams.html
Different Types of Electrical Diagrams and Drawing
In Electrical and Electronics Engineering, we use different types of drawings or diagrams to represent a certain electrical system or circuit. These electrical circuits are represented by lines to represent wires and symbols or icons to represent electrical and electronic components. It helps in better understanding the connection between different components. Electricians rely on electrical floor plan (which is also an electrical diagram) for doing any building wiring.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.edn.com/rail-to-rail-op-amp-provides-biasing-in-rf-amp/?utm_content=buffer3cf3e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=edn_facebook&utm_campaign=buffer
Tomi Engdahl says:
Common op-amp circuits
https://www.edn.com/common-op-amp-circuits/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Low-Cost Microcontrollers Turn Simple Seven-Segment LEDs Into a Chainable Display Cluster
With a PADAUK PFS154-S16 microcontroller behind each seven-segment LED, Tim “cpldcpu”‘s numerical display is pretty smart.
https://www.hackster.io/news/low-cost-microcontrollers-turn-simple-seven-segment-leds-into-a-chainable-display-cluster-c7e0a0baa05f
Tomi Engdahl says:
E-fuses: warming up to higher-current applications
https://www.edn.com/e-fuses-warming-up-to-higher-current-applications/
The brief note explained the ins and outs of e-fuses with respect to these regulations, and it also reminded me of a point that it’s easy to overlook: fuses protect against overcurrent situations and the risk they pose to systems and people. They are not for high-voltage protection, even though we may unconsciously associate “danger” with AC-line voltage of 120/240V and the large amounts of current AC lines can deliver. The TI note lists approved e-fuses that go up to 4.5 to 60V at 6 A – clearly not line voltage, but still a substantial amount of current and double-digit voltage. Protection against high-voltage events is not a task for a fuse; instead, that is the role of MOVs, spark gaps, and other components.
Tomi Engdahl says:
“Stop” in the Name of Noise: Do I Shut Off That Switching Supply?
https://www.eetimes.com/stop-in-the-name-of-noise-do-i-shut-off-that-switching-supply/
Mention “switching supply” and the first two instinctive, associated reactions are the terms “efficient” and “noisy.” Conversely, say “LDO” (low dropout regulator) and the opposite descriptive terms are used: “inefficient” and “quiet.” There’s no denying that those clichés are true but be careful and confirm them: as with most clichés, there are exceptions under some conditions and circumstances.
Certainly, even a low-noise switch-mode power supply acting as a DC/DC regulator is not as quiet as a linear regulator. Often, however, system-level considerations on dissipation and run time mandate a switcher, even though the design may need extremely low noise on some DC rails. These areas include sensitive, low-level RF front ends as well as precision, high-resolution A/D conversions.
For the RF front end, the duty cycle where low noise is need is 100%, and so it may make sense to use a local LDO in a topology where it operates from a noisier switcher.
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to Simplify Transistor Testing
Read this brief application note to pick up tips on how to make better current-voltage measurements of Field Effect Transistors (FETs).
MAY 05, 2020
https://www.electronicdesign.com/resources/white-paper/whitepaper/21130418/how-to-simplify-transistor-testing
Learn how to speed up current-voltage testing on FETs and other semiconductor devices. The test set-up described here saves money because it requires fewer test instruments and enables you to avoid tedious and time consuming test set-up. And it can be applied across a range of FET tests, including I-V tests gate leakage, breakdown voltage, threshold voltage, transfer characteristics, drain current, on-resistance, and more.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ultra-Low-Noise Phantom Microphone Supply Uses Tiny DC-DC Converter Plus Capacitor “Trick”
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
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.
Tomi Engdahl says:
MDR:n (Medical Device Regulation) voimaantulo siirtyi vuodella eteenpäin, joten nyt lääkinnällisten laitteiden valmistajilla on hyvin aikaa valmistautua muutoksiin entistä paremmin. MDR:n myötähän valmistajien vastuut laajenevat merkittävästi ja yhä useamman lääkinnällisen laitteen ohjelmiston riskiluokitus kasvaa.
Miten MDR vaikuttaa lääkinnällisten laitteiden ohjelmistojen elinkaariprosesseihin? Lue tästä aiheesta Juhan blogisarjan 4. osassa! https://hubs.ly/H0q8DpT0
Tomi Engdahl says:
Review: Tekbox LISN Mate is valuable for evaluating filter circuits
https://www.edn.com/review-tekbox-lisn-mate-is-valuable-for-evaluating-filter-circuits/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=link&utm_medium=EDNFunFriday-20200508
Evaluating power supplies for conducted emissions requires a line impedance stabilization network, or LISN. Tekbox Digital Solutions (Reference 1) had introduced an AC line LISN and DC LISN a couple years ago
The company also released a new device called LISN Mate (Figure 1), which is based on a design by Mark Nave, an EMC consultant based in Florida, and described in his book on designing switched-mode power supplies (Reference 3). LISN Mate includes circuitry that will split differential mode (DM) signals from common mode (CM), which is valuable for evaluating filter circuits. It is specified from 30 kHz to 110 MHz, but is characterized by Tekbox up to 150 MHz.
All the testing will be performed at 12.6 VDC and using a pair of the Tekbox TBOH01 DC LISNs and the LISN Mate.
The whole test setup should be placed on a conducting plane and I just used aluminum foil taped down to my test bench. Both LISNs should be bonded at the minus input terminal to the plane. I used copper tape for this
The LISN Mate has two inputs (LISN1 and LISN2) and two outputs; one for DM and one for CM. These outputs go to the spectrum analyzer. The unused output should be terminated in 50 ohms (supplied with LISN Mate).
Now, knowing that the DM emission is dominant, we can be sure to include appropriate DM filtering, typically a capacitor across the DC input. But CM is also relatively high, especially in the low kHz region, so that indicates we’ll need either a ferrite choke or standard CM (wired) choke, which should perform much better than the ferrite.
Switch-mode power supplies can produce large amounts of both differential-mode and common-mode emissions. The LISN Mate from Tekbox can help the designer by displaying either the DM or CM emissions. Depending on which appears dominant, designers can determine whether the filtering requires DM or CM filters, or a combination.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Capacitance per length of 50 Ohm transmission lines in FR4: Rule of Thumb #5
https://www.edn.com/rule-of-thumb-5-capacitance-per-length-of-50-ohm-transmission-lines-in-fr4/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=link&utm_medium=EDNWeekly-20200514
CLen = 3.3 pF/inch
This rule of thumb estimates the capacitance per length of all 50 Ohm lines in FR4.
At low frequency, a transmission line, open at one end, looks like a capacitor. After all, it is just two conductors, the signal path and the return path, with some insulation between them.
ALL 50 Ohm transmission lines in FR4 have exactly the same capacitance per length. If we make the line width wider, we have to make the dielectric thicker to preserve the 50 Ohms, and this keeps the capacitance the same.
For example, a 50 Ohm line 2 inches long has a capacitance of about 6.6 pF.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ethernet Transceivers without Using Transformers
https://www.eeweb.com/app-notes/ethernet-transceivers-without-using-transformers
It is a common practice to capacitively couple Ethernet transceivers (PHYs) together without the use of a transformer to reduce both the BOM cost and PCB area. This application note describes methods for capacitive coupling of Micrel’s 10/100 Ethernet devices.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Variable High-Pass And Low-Pass Filters
https://sound-au.com/project155.htm
Tomi Engdahl says:
Over/Under voltage protection circuit(Watch video on 720p quality to know reading of voltmeter)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4565REbjho
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4565REbjho
Tomi Engdahl says:
200W inverter idea
https://www.facebook.com/101301414580213/posts/200w-inverter/270611504315869/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Simple circuit serves as milliohmmeter
https://www.edn.com/simple-circuit-serves-as-milliohmmeter/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/256572/how-can-i-determine-the-current-rating-of-a-capacitor
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2020/05/difference-between-analog-digital-circuit.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
http://www.hobby-circuits.com/circuits/sensor/light-sensor/815/fully-automatic-emergency-light
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-terminal_sensing
Tomi Engdahl says:
Interview: NXP CTO Lars Reger | HiSilicon — No. 10 With a Bullet
https://www.eetimes.com/podcasts/interview-nxp-cto-lars-reger-hisilicon-no-10-with-a-bullet/
Lars Reger, senior vice president and chief technical officer of NXP Semiconductors, expounds on the relationship between product security and safety, managing the development of safe & secure products, going green, the music of Queen, cars, and more. Also, a discussion with EE Times international editor Junko Yoshida on a resurgent HiSilicon and the semiconductor market in China.
…Also, HiSilicon recently broke into the ranks of the top 10 semiconductor companies in the world. That’s a pretty exclusive club it just joined. We have a conversation with international editor Junko Yoshida about what that means for the electronics industry and for China.
Tomi Engdahl says:
CXL Protocol Adds Capabilities over PCIe
https://www.eetimes.com/cxl-protocol-adds-capabilities-over-pcie/
The Compute Express Link (CXL) protocol is rapidly gaining traction in data centers. It’s an alternate protocol that runs across the standard PCI Express (PCIe). CXL uses a flexible processor port that can auto-negotiate to either the standard PCIe transaction protocol or the alternative CXL transaction protocols. The first generation of the protocol aligns to 32 Gbps PCIe Gen5.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Unravel the Complexity of Stability Analysis
Higher frequencies and complex systems have created a perfect storm for stability problems in RF design. To address these challenges, Matt Ozalas has created a 7-part video series, guiding you through the process of designing for stability in high frequency circuit design.
How to Design a Stable High Frequency Amplifier
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtq84kH8xZ9Gz-1_VvqWsWeGwzMnKjRwY