With Thunderbolt 3 well established, Thunderbolt 4 coming onto the market, and Thunderbolt 5 in the early stages of being defined, it’s important that designers understand the similarities and differences between the various flavors of Thunderbolt and how they compare and contrast with USB. Intel designed thunderbolt technology in cooperation with Apple to support new […]
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Testing considerations for USB and USB-PD
Designers integrating USB Type C and USB4 into their products confront several challenges to ensure interoperability and compliance. Compared with previous generations, the latest USB specifications are more demanding due to higher power and more complex power profiles, higher data transmission speeds, and more functionality in general. To address these challenges, test engineers must start […]
USB proliferation of capabilities and compatibilities
USB4 represents a significant change from past standards from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). USB4 is based on the Thunderbolt 3 protocol. Support of Thunderbolt 3 interoperability is required on all ports for USB4 docks. It is required for downward-facing ports on hubs and is optional for USB4 hosts and peripheral devices. Like Thunderbolt, USB4 […]
Power distribution network integrity in embedded systems – Part 2
Welcome to this Virtual Interview on power distribution network (PDN) integrity in embedded systems. We are here today with Heidi Barnes (HB), Senior Application Engineer for PathWave EDA for High Speed Digital with Keysight Technologies. The following is from an interview with Heidi by EEWorld’s Jeff Shepard where they discuss the use of decoupling capacitors […]
Power distribution network integrity in embedded systems – Part 1
Welcome to this Virtual Interview on power distribution network (PDN) integrity in embedded systems. We are here today with Heidi Barnes (HB), Senior Application Engineer for PathWave EDA for High-Speed Digital with Keysight Technologies. The following is from an interview with Heidi by EEWorld’s Jeff Shepard, where they discuss printed circuit boards, ground planes, and […]
AC/DC power supply testing and qualification – Virtual Roundtable, Part 2
Welcome to the second part of EEWorld’s two-part “virtual roundtable” discussion on ac/dc power supply testing and qualification. Today, we will be focused on power factor correction, leakage currents, and electromagnetic compliance assurance testing. Our panelists are: Yogesh Pai (YP), Tektronix Product and Marketing Manager for Power; Bill Griffith (BG), Power Products Marketing, with Keysight […]
AC/DC power supply testing and qualification – Virtual Roundtable, Part 1
Welcome to the first part of EEWorld’s two-part “virtual roundtable” discussion on ac/dc power supply testing and qualification. Today, we will be focused on various aspects of power supply efficiency, standby power, and static and dynamic output regulation testing. Our panelists are: Bill Griffith (BG), Power Products Marketing, Keysight Technologies: Johnnie Hancock (JH), Oscilloscope Product […]
Powering EVs with silicon carbide
A flyback converter/isolated-gate-driver combo reduces the cost and complexity of implementing SiC FET designs in EV systems. Charlie Ice, Silicon Labs Electric vehicles are pushing the limits of today’s power conversion technology, and the advent of high-power silicon-carbide (SiC) FETs has pushed the envelope even further. The many advantages of SiC FETs allow for higher […]
Validating power integrity in embedded systems
There are two primary considerations when validating power integrity in embedded systems; the operation of the various power converters and the power distribution system’s integrity. The relative importance of those two considerations depends, in part, on the power system architecture used. In systems with a centralized multiple-output ac/dc power supply, the power supply qualification is […]
How to verify ac/dc power supply performance
Designers specifying ac/dc power supplies are concerned with maintaining performance over a range of input and load conditions and complying with demanding international regulations for efficiency, standby power, harmonics, power factor, safety, and electromagnetic compatibility. Identifying relevant standards and the associated testing requirements is a critical part of that process. This FAQ will review some […]
