The four most-common relay technologies include electromechanical relays, reed relays, solid state relays, and optotriacs. These relay technologies … [Read More...] about What are the four most-common relay technologies and where are they used?
Main Content
FAQs
When to use a relay and when to use a contactor?
Contactors are used for switching more than 15 amperes or in circuits rated more than a few kW. Except for optional auxiliary low-current contacts, … [Read More...] about When to use a relay and when to use a contactor?
More Analog IC Product News
How do you use a current mirror?
Current mirrors are common circuits but are mostly invisible, except to designers of analog or mixed-signal integrated circuits who can use large numbers of current mirrors on a single chip. A current … [Read More...] about How do you use a current mirror?
What can you make with MEMS technology?
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) has several names, including micro-electro-mechanical systems, and micromechatronic systems. In Japan, MEMS is called micromachines, while in Europe, it’s … [Read More...] about What can you make with MEMS technology?
Common-mode filters boast 10.7 GHz bandwidth
New common-mode filters from STMicroelectronics have an extremely wide differential bandwidth of 10.7GHz to protect antenna sensitivity in adjacent wireless circuitry from the latest serial digital … [Read More...] about Common-mode filters boast 10.7 GHz bandwidth
What’s the difference between equalizers?
Equalizers are used to alter the performance of signal chains. In some cases, that means linearizing signal chain performance. In other cases, equalizers are used to introduce nonlinearities. As a … [Read More...] about What’s the difference between equalizers?
What do you do with a bucket brigade device?
A bucket brigade device (BBD) is a discrete-time analog delay line using capacitors that has been replaced in most digital signal processing applications. But it continues to be used in some specialty … [Read More...] about What do you do with a bucket brigade device?
What’s a logarithmic resistor ladder good for?
A logarithmic resistor ladder consists of a resistor string and switches designed to attenuate a signal. The state of the switches can be considered to represent a digital code proportional to the … [Read More...] about What’s a logarithmic resistor ladder good for?
What causes noise in analog designs and how can it be controlled?
Controlling noise in analog and mixed-signal circuits is important but not simple. Data integrity is dependent on controlling noise in the signal chain. If left uncontrolled, noise can impair or … [Read More...] about What causes noise in analog designs and how can it be controlled?
Five considerations for mixed-signal PCB layouts
Printed circuit board (PCB) layout is an important activity when developing mixed-signal applications. A lot can go wrong, and everything needs to be correct for a successful design. Impedance control … [Read More...] about Five considerations for mixed-signal PCB layouts
When is a high CMRR needed in an op amp?
Common mode rejection ratio (CMRR), also called common mode rejection (CMR), quantifies the ability of an operational amplifier (op amp) to reject common-mode signals. Common-mode signals are signals … [Read More...] about When is a high CMRR needed in an op amp?
What are reflectionless filters, Part 3: Basic principles
Standard filters reflect unwanted stopband energy, but reflectionless filters present a seamless impedance across both stopband and passband, which greatly improves performance of the RF signal … [Read More...] about What are reflectionless filters, Part 3: Basic principles
Hardware-assisted verification technology in the mainstream
By Jean-Marie Brunet, and Dr. Lauro Rizzatti, Siemens EDA Today, system-on-chip (SoC) devices permeate our world and propel numerous industries. They are integral for the internet of things (IoT), … [Read More...] about Hardware-assisted verification technology in the mainstream
Tolerance analysis distinguishes prototypes from production units
It’s not enough to model and simulate circuit behavior – you also have to investigate the effects of component variations from their nominal values due to unavoidable tolerances. There’s a … [Read More...] about Tolerance analysis distinguishes prototypes from production units
The practical magical first-order analog filter: Part 1
Finding the right analog filter to build a sensor circuit doesn’t have to be complicated. Understandably, the plethora of filter options can be overwhelming. Also, selecting a less-than-ideal filter … [Read More...] about The practical magical first-order analog filter: Part 1
An overview of filters and their parameters, Part 4: Time and phase issues
Understanding how filters are characterized is the first step in choosing an appropriate topology with suitable specifications. Thus far, we have focused on filters primarily in terms of their … [Read More...] about An overview of filters and their parameters, Part 4: Time and phase issues
An overview of filters and their parameters, Part 1: Context
Understanding how filters are characterized is the first step in choosing an appropriate topology with suitable specifications. Mention “filters” to electrical engineers of the older persuasion, … [Read More...] about An overview of filters and their parameters, Part 1: Context
