Is my power supply OK, and what if it isn’t? Is my microprocessor still working? In part 1, we examined the operation of power supply supervisory ICs that can detect when the supply voltage is too low, and what might happen if so. We will continue that analysis and then consider ways to keep an […]
Resistors
Power-supply supervisors keep circuits in check: part 1
Is my power supply OK? What about my microprocessor? What if something goes wrong? Simulations show what happens if DC voltage drops. Microprocessors can behave in unwanted ways when their power supplies don’t deliver the expected voltage. Errors can occur, circuits can unexpectedly reset or even go rogue. To prevent such problems, many devices use […]
Design a circuit for ultra-low power sensor applications
Sensors monitoring mechanical and biological systems must often scavenge power from the thing being sensed. The oscillator circuits shown here let you operate those sensors. Sensor circuits that connect to thermocouples, electromagnetic mechanical-to-electrical transducers, and piezoelectric mechanical-to-electrical transducers often use oscillators powered through energy harvesting from solar cells and other sources. These power sources can […]
Chip resistors feature tight tolerances for automotive applications
Bourns, Inc. announced its AEC-Q200 compliant, automotive-grade thin film chip resistor model series. The Model CRT-A Series provides higher resistance tolerance accuracy and Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) compared to traditional through-hole type resistors. The new series delivers enhanced signal quality and is offered in an SMD package. These compact, yet high power-rated resistors offering accurate […]
Thermal jumpers offer miniature and low-cost option to lower PCB temperatures
Power supply designers are constantly faced with thermal challenges, especially as power levels continue to rise. Many methods of heat reduction are impractical from a size, layout, or cost standpoint. Thermal jumpers offer a small size and low-cost option to lower PCB temperatures with simple implementation. Stackpole’s TMJ series is a surface-mounted electrically isolated component […]
Bare element shunt resistors help lower thermal stress of PCBs
Current sensing for motor control applications often requires robust current handling and the lowest possible PCB temperatures. Unfortunately, high current or overload current handling typically means higher PCB temperatures. One cost-effective and popular solution to these requirements is a raised bare element sense resistor. The elevated bare element yields PCB temperatures of 30% to 40% […]
Precision thin-film resistors offer ±0.01% tolerances, ±2ppm TCRs
With the proliferation of electronics in nearly every market sector, there is an increasing need for precision resistors. For markets such as medical instrumentation and control, industrial and automotive controls, communications, and test & measurement, these precision resistors must maintain electrical and environmental stability long term. Stackpole’s RNCF series of precision thin film resistors meet these […]
Automotive-grade chip resistors excel at handling pulses
High-reliability chip resistors can be more difficult to find and even more so when there are pulse handling requirements. Typically, the manufacturing process for thick film chip resistors allows for variation in the calibration trim, leading to variation in pulse handling performance. Stackpole’s recently released RPCA series addresses all these needs. The RPCA has limited to […]
Thin-film resistors excel in high sulfur, high humidity settings
Environmental stability for thin film resistors has become more important with increased electronic content. Sulfur contamination for film resistors, for example, is becoming a more prominent issue for a wide range of end products. Electronic devices and circuitry may encounter sulfur in the presence of oils, lubricants, gaskets, hoses, and atmospheric gasses in highly industrial […]
MELF resistors offer 0.3-W power rating
MELF resistors are known for their superior thermal characteristics and their environmental and electrical stability. Many types of applications such as instrumentation and automation controls, automotive controls, and metering benefit from the exceptional performance provided by MELF resistors. In designs where space is critical, it is important to maximize the power ratings for resistors to […]
