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 […]
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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 […]
What is gate charge, and why does it matter for switching speed?
Gate charge (Qg) represents the total electrical charge required to turn on a power semiconductor device, such as MOSFETs and IGBTs. The switching speed is directly affected by this important parameter. The lower the gate charge, the faster the device can go from on to off. This article examines the physical origins of gate charge, […]
Reed relays: from voiceband calls to GHz ATE, now facing MEMS disruption part 1
Reed relays have evolved from their audio roots to handle GHz signals; MEMS technology may push them aside. Electromechanical relays are like dinosaurs that haven’t gotten the news that they are supposed to be extinct. Instead, they beget new generations, get designed into new applications, and even take over new territory. Countless millions of these […]
How does negative differential resistance relate to neuromorphic computing and sensors?
Negative differential resistance, sometimes called negative dynamic resistance (NDR), occurs when an increase in voltage leads to a decrease in current, and vice versa. It’s observed in devices like tunnel diodes, Gunn diodes, IMPATT diodes, and neon lamps, and can be useful in oscillators and other circuits. It’s also being applied to neuromorphic computing and […]
What are some positive uses for negative capacitance?
Negative capacitance (NC) is primarily used to reduce power dissipation in electronic devices and enable ultra-low power nanoelectronics. By exploiting unique properties in ferroelectric materials, NC can be used to overcome the limitations of conventional transistors and potentially lead to more energy-efficient electronic devices ranging from sensors to high-frequency, high-power gallium nitride (GaN) HEMTs. Normal […]
How to analyze and manage inrush current
Inrush current represents one of the most common yet overlooked challenges in power electronics design. These sudden current surges can exceed normal operating levels by 10 to 100 times, lasting only milliseconds but carrying enough energy to damage components or trigger unwanted circuit breaker trips that frustrate users and compromise system reliability. Inrush characteristics by […]
How do parasitic inductances affect switching performance?
Parasitic inductance is an often-overlooked factor in power electronics circuits. This FAQ examines how stray inductances in components and PCB layouts create voltage overshoots, electromagnetic interference, and efficiency losses in switching applications. Parasitic inductance is an unintentional and unavoidable characteristic of all electronic parts and their connections that reduces how well power electronics circuits switch. […]
