It can be important to balance dielectric strength and thermal performance when deciding on coatings for insulation and heat dissipation. Thermal conductivity, Κ, λ, or κ, measured as W/m·K, is a key factor and measures the rate at which heat flows away from a heat source towards cooler regions. The use of an optimized coating […]
FAQ
What is a solid-state transformer?
A solid-state transformer (SST) is an AC-AC converter, sometimes called a power electronics transformer (PET), that replaces a conventional magnetic transformer in applications like green energy systems, cloud data centers, EV fast chargers, and smart grid infrastructure. They are smaller and lighter than conventional transformers and can support better power quality, higher energy efficiency, and […]
What is a matrix converter used for?
A matrix converter is a type of direct, variable AC-to-AC converter without an intermediate DC-link stage. The topology can deliver high power densities, bidirectional power flow, and precise control in a compact size, making it suited for renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, industrial motor drives, aerospace, and marine applications. When higher power levels are needed, […]
How and where is vapor chamber cooling used?
A vapor chamber, sometimes called a planar heat pipe or heat spreader, is a phase-change thermal management tool used in high-performance electronic devices and systems with high heat-flux components, where even heat distribution is needed. It is especially applicable where space is limited or conventional cooling is insufficient. It can be viewed as a four-step […]
What are key considerations for USB Type-C ESD protection?
They include protecting its numerous signal pins using TVS or Zener diodes placed close to the port, selecting diodes with appropriate working voltage to withstand high-power charging, and ensuring the protection devices have suitable capacitance to maintain high-speed data integrity and voltage and transient ratings that meet various IEC 61000-4 standards. High-voltage static electricity can […]
Why inverter designers need to understand space vector modulation
Space vector modulation (SVM) is a sophisticated digital control technique that improves three-phase inverter performance over traditional sinusoidal PWM (SPWM). SVM’s higher DC bus utilization supports a higher output voltage, reduced harmonics, and lower switching losses, but it requires more complex calculations compared to SPWM. SVM can improve DC bus utilization by 15%. Optimized SVM […]
An engineer’s guide to harmonics
Harmonics degrade power quality, reduce the operational lifespan of equipment, and can compromise system stability. This FAQ provides a technical overview of harmonics, their primary sources, and the industry standards established for their control. How are harmonics defined in an electrical system? An ideal ac power supply delivers a pure sinusoidal waveform at a fundamental […]
What is new in UCIe 3.0?
Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express (UCIe) 3.0 is focused on increased bandwidth, improved power efficiency, and enhanced system-level management for next-generation chiplet-based designs. It’s designed to support artificial intelligence and high-performance computing while maintaining backward compatibility with UCIe 2.0 and 1.0. UCIe 3.0 continues to support 3D packaging. It doubles the bandwidth of UCIe 2.0 and […]
Reed relays: from voiceband calls to GHz ATE, now facing MEMS disruption part 3
Part 1 covered the basics, Part 2 explored the reed relay and its applications in ATE, while this final section examines MEMS-based relays and their role in ATE applications. Disruption: MEMS-based GHz relays The virtues and capabilities of the magnetically actuated reed relay are clear, so why change? It’s the usual story: technology moves on […]
Reed relays: from voiceband calls to GHz ATE, now facing MEMS disruption part 2
Reed relays have evolved from their audio roots to handle GHz signals; MEMS technology may push them aside. This section explores the reed relay and its use in ATE applications. The alternative: the reed relay Along with the efforts to develop a better central office switching matrix and crossbar, scientists and engineers at the venerable […]
