“Noise”—perhaps nothing worries design engineers as much as the implications of this single five-letter word. There are good reasons for this worry. Noise is often unpredictable; may come from internal and somewhat controllable sources, or external impossible-to-control sources; it can affect performance accuracy and consistency; it can cause products to not meet their target design […]
FAQ
Solar cells and power, Part 2 – power extraction
Part 1 looked at the solar cells themselves; Part 2 looks at how a cell or panel is managed for maximum performance. Q: How can the useful output of a solar cell or panel be maximized? A: While an active, in-use load or a power-generating facility could be connected directly to the output of a […]
Solar cells and power, Part 1 – basic operation
Both small- and large-scale solar power on is an effective way of generating electrical power from an impinging light source, usually the sun. Colloquially, the term may also encompass a local light source such as overhead illumination; thus this, a more-accurate broad term is photovoltaic (PV) power. Although the physics of the solar cell is […]
Basics of AC, DC, and EC electric motors (Part 2) — EC and stepper
Part 1 looked at basic AC and DC motors which do not require “electronics” to operate (although the variable-frequency AC motor is an important exception). However, the development of fast, low-resistance all-electronic switches – primarily MOSFETs as well as IGBTs – and microcontrollers, plus powerful permanent magnets has dramatically changed the situation. Q: What is […]
Basics of AC, DC, and EC electric motors, Part 1— AC and DC
Electric motors – from tiny ones which advance a sheet of paper, to huge ones which power industrial machinery — are so common that we may not give them adequate consideration. Motors have a complex history and genealogy, which can be confusing to newcomers, Figure 1. Each motor subtype has unique characteristics which make it […]
The difference between vehicular and non-vehicular LED drivers
There are numerous features in the electronics that power vehicular LEDs that you won’t find in other LED applications. Jatin Thaker, Dave Strycharz | NXP Automotive The automotive market is quickly moving away from traditional incandescent lighting towards more intelligent systems that promote reduced energy use, safety, and individualization options that boost brand recognition. Automotive […]
Solenoids and relays, Part 2
Part 1 looked at the solenoid, an electromechanical component that translates applied current into linear motion. The design of the electromechanical relay uses a coil and current drive (or a voltage source), just as with the solenoid. However, the function of the relay is quite different. Despite the availability of alternatives for some applications, such […]
Solenoids and relays, Part 1
Just hearing the words “solenoid” and “relay” may conjure up visions of an ancient electromechanical word, now largely replaced by all-electronic devices, smart motors, and more. That almost makes sense, as these two components in various forms have been with us for over 150 years. But don’t be fooled; both are still vital devices, and […]
How to make floating point measurements that count
Sometimes you need to make a “floating” measurement of a current or voltage. By “floating” I mean that you want to measure a voltage across something (or current through something) where neither end of the voltage are ground (0V). While one input being referenced to a supply rail other than 0V isn’t strictly speaking “floating,” […]
Fuses for power protection, Part 2
Part 1 of this FAQ explained fuse basics. Although fuses are simple in principle, selecting the most suitable fuse for the application is more complicated than it may seem initially. Q: What are the key questions to ask when selecting a fuse? A: These are just a few of the considerations: What is the normal […]
