Except for the most basic designs, system clock rates are inexorably creeping upward across a wide range of applications, from 5G telephony to automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), medical, industrial, and mil/aero systems. As frequencies rise into the GHz range, the need for impedance control to minimize signal attenuation and protect signal integrity gets […]
When to filter, attenuate, and equalize signals
Signal chain management is important in various applications like medical imaging, 5G communications, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and a range of consumer, industrial, and military devices. Filters, attenuators, and equalizers are some of the tools designers have available to optimize signal chain operation. This FAQ begins by looking briefly at the definition of decibels […]
Optical attenuators and loopbacks, what’s the difference?
Fiber optic attenuators (optical attenuators) are used to reduce or control the energy of optical signals. They are used in optical communications systems to protect sensitive receivers or to modulate signals and for engineering evaluation, testing, and system validation. This FAQ reviews the basic operation of optical attenuators, looks at practical applications for optical attenuators, […]
Why use attenuators in quantum computers?
Quantum computers are cryogenically cooled because their quantum bits (qubits) are extremely delicate and sensitive to disruptions from even minute amounts of thermal noise, such as Johnson-Nyquist (J-N) noise. J-N noise is generated by the thermal agitation of electrons, regardless of any applied voltage, when the conductor is at equilibrium. Even small amounts of J-N […]
What kinds of attenuators are there?
Attenuators are often defined as electronic devices that reduce the power of a signal without introducing significant distortion. While that’s not incorrect, it’s also not complete. For example, optical attenuators can be based on fixed or variable neutral density (ND) filters and are largely mechanical constructions. This FAQ considers basic types of electronic attenuators. Other […]
What are MEMS relays good for?
MEMS relays (also called MEMS switches) have high isolation when open and very low insertion loss or resistance when closed; they can handle signals from DC to multi-GHz, operate with very little power, and their micrometer size means that many can be packed into a small space. These attributes make MEMS relays well-suited for 5G […]
What are the four most-common relay technologies and where are they used?
The four most-common relay technologies include electromechanical relays, reed relays, solid-state relays, and optotriacs. These relay technologies have widely varying capabilities, making them suitable for different applications. This FAQ compares each relay technology’s structures, specs, operations, and applications. The oldest and most basic type of relay are electromechanical designs. When an input value, usually current […]
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, contactors normally have open contacts and are used in high-power circuits. They include features to control and suppress the arc produced when interrupting heavy currents like those found in motor control […]
Where are cloud connected relays used?
Relays are humble devices, but they are not immune to being impacted by the Internet of Things. Electromechanical relays, solid-state relays, and MEMs relays are among the numerous devices in the IoT that can connect to the cloud. Some relays include Wi-Fi controllers or Bluetooth, some use power over Ethernet (PoE), and others use voice […]
What acronyms relate to MBSE?
Acronyms can be challenging when entering a new engineering discipline, and model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is no exception. In the case of MBSE, numerous acronyms can look very similar, adding to the challenge. It turns out that many of the confusing acronyms are related to software development, not system engineering. That’s because MBSE began as […]
