By Diksha Nama, contributor, Engineers Garage An audio system is designed to receive audio signals (via microphone), record audio in some storage, transmit audio (through wired or wireless communication channels), and reproduce audio signals (via speakers). So, the audio circuits perform signal processing for representing the sound in the form of electrical signals, manipulate the […]
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The ABCs of functional verification techniques
By Aijaz Fatima of Siemens business Functional verification is the process of demonstrating the functional correctness of a design with respect to the design specifications. Functional verification does not confirm the correctness of the design specification and assumes that the design specification is correct. It is one of the most challenging steps of the IC […]
What is second-generation beamforming and digital beamforming?
Beamforming is an established technology for cellular communications and other applications (see the previous article on “What is beamforming?”). Beamforming was initially developed based on various analog signal chain techniques and processes. In general, beamforming combines antenna array elements to direct signals at controlled angles to maximize signal reception at specific receivers. Analog beamforming can […]
What is beamforming?
Beamforming is used in various applications, including sensor arrays, radar, biomedicine, WiFi, and wireless communications. It is an active approach that combines antenna array elements to direct signals at specific angles and create constructive interference. In contrast, other signals are subjected to destructive interference to maximize signal transmission and/or reception. Beamforming can improve the spatial […]
What is precoding and what are the benefits?
Precoding is the transmitter signal processing needed to affect the received signal’s maximization to specific receivers and antennas while reducing the interference to all other receivers and receiving antennas. Precoding involves preprocessing of the transmit signal in an RF system. As described below, precoding uses channel state information at the transmitter to improve performance and […]
What is pseudorandomness and why is it useful?
Pseudorandomness is a measurement of the degree to which a sequence of numbers, though appearing to be random, is produced by a deterministic and repeatable process. True randomness is a stochastic quality of a sequence which has a probability distribution or pattern that may be analyzed statistically but may not be predicted precisely. Pseudorandom sequences […]
Metamaterials for power and energy
The first two FAQs in this series considered the potential for metamaterials to have significant impacts on advanced optics, audio systems, thermal management, and various aspects of mmWave communications and radar. This final FAQ will consider the impact metamaterials are expected to have on energy harvesting (both solar electric and solar thermal) high-power long-distance power […]
Metamaterials, mmWave antennas, 3D radar and holographic beamforming
Wireless communication, 5G mmWave devices, space communications, GPS, satellites, space vehicle navigation, automobiles, and airplanes are just some applications for metamaterial antennas. Metamaterials are engineered/manmade materials with properties not found in nature. Antenna designs based on metamaterials can significantly increase the radiated power. The latest metamaterial antenna designs can radiate up to 95% of the […]
Metamaterials’ potential for transforming electronics
Metamaterials are engineered/manmade materials with properties not found in nature. The emergence of metamaterials is expected to have a significant impact on a variety of electronics applications. These unnatural materials could have an impact similar to “MEMS” (micro-electromechanical system) technology, with the potential to bring transformational changes. This initial FAQ will briefly look into possible […]
Electrical noise can come from anywhere
Any unwanted signal that’s combined with the desired signal is called noise. In any circuit, noise can come from anywhere; from external systems as well as from within a circuit itself. External sources include a number of sources such as power lines, RF transmitters, nearby conductors, ignition systems, or motors that turn on and off […]