Techonline Most Popular Design Articles

The art of capacitive touch sensing

Wed, 1 Mar 2006 16:53:22 EST

Take advantage of no-moving-part user-interface switches based on electrical fields and cpacitiance changes, with the right sensor

An introduction to analog circuit design* Part 1: Transistors and Elementary Circuits

Wed, 2 Mar 2005 14:57:18 EST

Modern circuit design is a "mixed signal" endeavor thanks to the availability of sophisticated process technologies that make available bipolar and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), power and signal, passive and active components on the same die. It is then up to the circuit designer's creativity and inclination to assemble these components into the analog and/or logic building blocks necessary to develop the intended system on a chip. In this 6-part tutorial, based on a forthcoming Wiley text, a famous Planet Analog contributor explains the basics of analog circuits. Part 1, here, shows transistor operation and modeling, and how these are used to build elementary circuits.

Book Excerpt--Microwave and RF Design: A Systems Approach (Part 4 of 8)

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST

Enhance your understanding of transmission lines and microstrip structures, in theory and practice

Presented By:

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST

Tutorial on VLANs: Part 1

Tue, 10 Aug 2004 14:00:00 EDT

VLANs hold the key to extending the reach of enterprise networks across the WAN. Now, through this two-part series, learn the fundamentals of making a VLAN work in a networking design.

Power Tip #17: Snubbing the Flyback Converter

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST

Understand how to snub the FET turn-off voltage in the flyback converter.

Solutions for time interleaving ultra-high-speed analog/digital Converters at the PCB level

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST

Transmitting video over CAT5 cable

Tue, 7 Jun 2005 21:59:20 EDT

Okay, you analog guys who grew up (like us) thinking that coaxial shielded cable was the only way to ship distortion-free video are hereby put on notice: Intersil has a means of transmitting high-resolution video over 300 meters of twisted pair cabling. In this three part exposition, initially produced for the Planet Analog magazine folio, applications guru Mike Wong gives you everything you need to get up and running. Part 1, here, gives the theory of operation and driver/receiver circuits. Part 2 will cover termination and equalization techniques for enhancing that video signal. Part 3 will offer troubleshooting advice, based Intersil's Hermes demonstration kit.

HD multi-room video distribution over IP-based home and commercial networks

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 03:40:00 EDT

Challenges using TCP/IP to distribute HD video include Bandwidth, lost packets, synchronization of signal distribution, and backwards / forwards compatibility. How NetStreams overcomes these hurdles to distribute multiple 1080p video streams.

Tutorial on T1/E1 Alarming, Dropping, and Inserting

Thu, 25 Sep 2003 07:07:10 EDT

While interest in IP networks continues to grow, designers must continue to push forward on using T1 and E1 links to deliver voice and data services. This tutorial highlights the alarm, drop, and insert mechanisms necessary to allow T1/E1 links to deliver both services.

How compact fluorescent lamps work--and how to dim them

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 07:00:00 EDT

CFLs are a hot topic (only figuratively, not literally); how do they work, and how can you dim them?

Use PSpice models to estimate amplifier noise

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 12:24:31 EST

PSpice can help you estimate noise in critical analog circuits, but it can be complicated when multiple noise sources must be considered.This article shows a simplified approach which gets you a good estimate.

RS-485: Transient Protection for Bus Nodes

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:57:00 EST

This article suggests using an industrial RS-485 cable in combination with low-capacitance transient voltage suppressors as the most efficient way to protect your network.

Tutorial on Designing Delta-Sigma Modulators: Part 1

Tue, 30 Mar 2004 05:00:00 EST

Delta-sigma modulators will allow designers to meet the dynamic range, adaptability, and programmability requirements of multi-mode GSM/W-CDMA designs. Find out how to craft these devices in this two-part tutorial.

ESD protection of discrete semiconductors

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Inside all of us lies the ability to conduct electricity and though such a concept seems more science fiction than science, the ramifications of producing a small charge can have negative effects on the products we handle. This design article examines how on-chip ESD protection can help your work.

Introduction to video compression

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 16:05:00 EDT

Understanding the operation of video codecs is essential for developers of embedded systems, processors, and tools targeting video applications.

EPON vs. GPON: A Practical Comparison

Tue, 25 Jan 2005 07:01:00 EST

As PON architectures start to take off in carrier networks, camps are starting to form around GPON and EPON technology. Here's a comparison of the two approaches.

Design considerations for three-phase power factor correction

Tue, 22 May 2007 14:24:58 EDT

In addition to requiring that the current track the voltage, as in a single-phase circuit, in a three-phase design the power drawn from each phase must be the same

Tutorial on the Link Layer Discovery Protocol

Tue, 1 Feb 2005 05:00:00 EST

IEEE 802.1AB LLDP specification will enable LAN devices to inform each other about their configurations, thus eliminating misconfiguration problems in networking designs.

Turning HDTVs Green

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:04:00 EST

From TAOS, Inc. - the first in a series of articles to introduce you to the variety of energy-saving techniques available to the high-definition television designer. This article introduces the concepts of power-monitoring and ambient light sensing.

Presented By:

NEC

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Enable greener data centers with SFP+ Direct Attach Copper

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:18:00 EST

Given a move towards energy efficient data centers and higher bandwidth applications, small form factor, low power, low latency and low cost interconnects are more critical. Here's a case for SFP+ Direct Attach as an optimal solution for short reach 10 G interconnects.

A matter of light, Part 4 --- PWM dimming

Thu, 5 Jun 2008 23:17:00 EDT

Digital dimming with a buck regulator provides the best LED driving topology.

Solving engineering challenges in ultrasound systems through integration and power scaling

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST

Understand the unique requirements and constraints of this signal chain, along with current expectations

Updating the Bob Smith Termination Technique

Fri, 30 Apr 2004 09:00:00 EDT

While the Bob Smith Termination technique has won acclaim worldwide, it has its flaws. Fortunately, a new termination technique is proposed here that can solve many of the problems designers will encounter when using the Bob Smith approach.

A primer on high-side FET load switches (Part 2 of 2)

Mon, 7 May 2007 13:36:04 EDT

Understand the operation, functions, and key parameters of high-side FET load switches, as well as the similarities and differences between N-channel and P-channel devices

Understanding cascaded integrator-comb filters

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 14:49:00 EST

The previously obscure CIC filter is now vital to many high-volume wireless communications tasks and equipment. Using CIC filters can cut costs, improve reliability, and help performance. Here's a primer to get you started.