The subsystems that make up an autonomous vehicle should be bullet-proof when it comes to electrical interference and transients. James Colby, Prasad Tawade Littelfuse, Inc. Those who follow autonomous vehicle technology are usually well aware of its benefits. But the safety and convenience autonomous vehicles offer can only come if the vehicle electronics is reliable […]
FAQ
New ferroelectric material could boost piezoelectric actuator technology
If you’ve used an ink-jet printer or a tiny hearing aid, chances are those devices have employed lead-zirconium-titanium oxide (PZT, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3) piezoelectric ceramics as a means of generating ink droplets and amplified audio. These and numerous other applications have long used actuators and sensors employing piezoelectric materials which deform in response to an applied electric […]
Using energy harvesting to power wireless IoT nodes and wearables
Three elements are necessary to effectively implement energy harvesting (EH) into wireless IoT nodes, wearables and similar low-power applications. First, it a detailed power profile needs to be developed that considers active and sleep modes to produce a realistic estimate of the average power consumption. The power profile is used to size both the harvester […]
Energy harvesting devices and ambient energy availability
Various forms of ambient energy are available in most environments. Depending on the environment and the power needs of the device, common energy harvester choices include light harvesters, thermoelectric harvesters, and mechanical vibration harvesters. Each of these energy harvesting technologies can be optimized for maximum performance in a given environment. In the case of light […]
Next-generation shielding may absorb electromagnetic interference rather than reflect it
Engineers trying to shield RF-sensitive circuitry a few years from now may have the option of using material that absorbs RF energy rather than just reflecting it. So say researchers at Drexel University and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology. They are researching a class of material called MXenes, and more specifically, titanium carbonitride […]
Energy harvesting applications, architectures, and the massive IoT
Wireless sensor nodes, wearables, trackers, and displays are typical devices that can be powered using energy harvesting (EH), also called ambient energy, energy scavenging, or power harvesting. The availability of ambient energy for harvesting varies depending on the location and environment where the device is used. Among the many possible sources of ambient energy, the […]
How to select components for a digital-controlled Totem-Pole PFC
By Bill Luo (Luo Zhizheng), Sr FAE, ACEINNA Transducer Systems and Jason Zhang (Zhang Liang), AE Director, Shenzhen Advantaged Power Limited There is a lot of attention being paid to advanced power systems. Energy efficiency has become a critical capability in today’s world, due to pressures from every sector of the market. To achieve substantial […]
Comparing piezoelectric, electrostatic and electromagnetic device applications
By Margaret Bezerko, President of SensComp When it comes to electronic design, function dictates framework. While piezoelectric, electrostatic, and electromagnetic devices offer distinct benefits, each comes with specific drawbacks and best-fit applications. In this piece, we’ll examine each system with a quick analysis of operating mechanisms, potential pain points, and ideal use cases for current […]
DC power connector selection criteria
As an often overlooked or underappreciated aspect of a final design, dc power connectors, also known as barrel connectors, provide a key connection point for powering many applications. Although a relatively simple component in the design process, it is still important to have a basic understanding of a dc power connector’s specifications and nomenclature. Specifications […]
Supercapacitor system design considerations
Supercapacitors can deliver more: More power density, more Farads, more cycle life, and so on. But they also demand more complex solutions to realize optimal performance. Among the many design considerations are managing supercapacitor discharge, optimizing supercapacitor charging, and, in the case of series configurations of supercapacitor modules, providing effective voltage balancing between cells. Properly […]