If an application calls for a device with multiple inputs and a single output, it needs a multiplexer. A switch can be used if the need is for one input per output. Analog switches and multiplexers are used in a wide array of systems, including industrial, medical, military/aerospace, consumer, 5G infrastructure, and more. This article […]
What is a PLL for analog signals?
A phase-locked loop (PLL) for analog signals generates an output with a phase that’s precisely matched to the phase of an input reference. Analog PLLs are widely used in high-frequency applications like communication systems and scientific equipment that need low jitter and precise synchronization. This article begins by looking at how PLLs for analog signals […]
What are the advantages of a three op-amp instrumentation amplifier?
An instrumentation amplifier (INA) built using three operational amplifiers (op amps) can provide performance advantages in terms of high input impedance, low output impedance, easily adjustable gain, excellent common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR), high accuracy, and high open-loop gain. This article examines the basic design of INAs and their performance benefits, then discusses some application considerations, […]
How do directed energy weapons work?
Directed energy weapons (DEWs) use electromagnetic (EM) energy, such as high-energy lasers (HELs), high-powered microwaves (HPMs), or high-power millimeter waves (HPMMs), to degrade or destroy targets. Sometimes, sound waves are included in the DEW category. This article focuses on EM DEWs. EM DEWs have several advantages compared with traditional munitions, including: Speed: EM energy travels […]
If you’re designing RFICs, here are some tools to consider
Radiofrequency ICs (RFICs) are found in consumer devices, portable electronics, automotive, military, and medical systems. They typically operate from several hundred MHz to multiple GHz. Those high frequencies present designers with significant layout challenges to ensure proper functioning, including the use of transmission line technology for efficient operation. This FAQ presents several options for RFIC […]
If you’re designing mixed-signal ICs, here are some tools to consider
Mixed-signal ICs are increasingly common in automotive, internet of Things (IoT), medical, industrial, consumer, and other applications. Designing mixed-signal ICs is more complex than simply designing an analog section and a digital section. There’s the interactions and interconnections between the sections, and the need to integrate software into the final solution. That makes designing mixed-signal […]
If you’re designing MEMS devices, here are some tools to consider
The uses for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices have grown exponentially. Applications for MEMS technology include actuators, sensors, inertial measurement units (IMUs), energy harvesters, pumps, motors, oscillators, resonators, and more. They are used in all areas, from consumer to medical, military, and space. Two keys to the expansive uses of MEMS devices include the ability to […]
What are the elements of analog IC EDA tools?
Analog functions like sensor interfaces, signal conditioning, power management, and energy harvesting are needed in many applications. These functions are implemented with circuits like operational amplifiers, regulators, filters, sense amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, phase-locked loops, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), mixers, analog receiver front ends, and so on. These functions complement digital processing and can be implemented as […]
If you’re designing analog ICs, here are some tools to consider
Designing analog ICs can be a time-consuming and nit-picky process. As with the design of digital ICs, speed, power, and area (SPA) considerations are important. However, in the case of analog ICs, added challenges include gain, bandwidth, signal distortion, noise sensitivity, power supply sensitivity, thermal sensitivity, and more. All the major electronic design automation (EDA) […]
If you’re designing power ICs, here are some tools to consider
Power ICs cover a variety of functions, from high voltage application-specific ICs (HV-ASICs) to power management ICs (PMICs). Each type of power IC has unique design challenges and needs specific design tools. This FAQ reviews some of the challenges related to HV-ASICs for applications like gate drivers for power semiconductor devices, pin drivers for automatic […]
