Switched capacitors (SCs) are highly-versatile circuit elements that can be used to provide various functions, ranging from micro-scale implementations embedded in integrated circuits (ICs) or designed into wearables and other small devices, to a variety of power conversion applications, up to grid-scale systems. This FAQ series will explore the versatility of switched-capacitors. Following this initial […]
Resistors
Measuring a sense-resistor’s voltage drop, Part 1: Sensing issues
Measuring the voltage drop across a current-sense resistor can be a trivial issue or a challenging one depending on the rail voltage and other factors. In previous articles, we looked at an apparently simple issue of sizing the resistor used for this common technique for current sensing (EE World Content References 1 and 2). This […]
A tradeoff case study: Sizing the current-sense resistor, Part 2
The conceptually simple idea to determine current by measuring voltage across a known resistor shows the subtle nature of design tradeoffs. Part 1 of this article looked at one important aspect of the choice of resistor value in current-sensing applications, but it was only the electrical impact. However, the thermal impact related to resistor I2R […]
A tradeoff case study: Sizing the current-sense resistor, Part 1
The conceptually simple idea to determine current by measuring voltage across a known resistor shows the subtle nature of design tradeoffs. There’s probably no phrase that misrepresents the realities of engineering design other than “hey, that should be no big deal.” Even simple-looking design decisions are often not so simple. The reality is that a […]
80 V RETs feature overhead to handle spikes and pulses
Nexperia announced the industry’s first 80 V RET (Resistor-Equipped Transistor) family. These new RETs or ‘digital transistors’ provide enough headroom for use in 48 V automotive board net (e.g. mild hybrid and EV cars) and other higher voltage circuits which are often subject to large spikes and pulses that previous 50 V parts cannot handle. […]
SMD Metal-Foil-on-Ceramic resistors boast high surge tolerance, low self-heating
TT Electronics announced the introduction of its Metal Foil Chip (MFC) resistors. The MFC series uses metal foil on ceramic technology, which combines the heat spreading properties of a ceramic substrate with the surge tolerance of a bulk metal alloy resistance element. This, in turn, offers lower self-heating levels than thick-film or metal strip resistors and better surge tolerance than thick-film options, making these resistors particularly well-suited for automotive, industrial, and medical […]
High-power current shunt modules feature 1.5-kV isolation
Riedon has introduced the SSA Smart Shunt series next-generation current sensing modules that combine the attributes of conventional passive shunt resistors with those normally associated with considerably more expensive and bulky closed-loop Hall Effect current sensors. Each featuring a built-in precision amplifier, they offer reinforced electrical isolation (up to 1500VDC), alongside industry-leading levels of stability […]
Space-saving thick-film resistors span 1 ohm to 20M ohm
Bourns, Inc. announced the availability of a new AEC-Q200 compliant series of thick film chip resistors. Bourns continues to take a leading role in introducing space-saving resistor products by offering its latest Model CRxxxxA series in eight compact form factors — from small 0201 (0603 Metric) up to 2512 (6431 Metric). The CRxxxxA series is part of […]
Variable resistor portfolio expanded to meet multiple audio requirements
TT Electronics announced the addition of ten new product families to its professional audio portfolio. The portfolio expansion includes the introduction of five rotary potentiometer families, four slide potentiometers families, and oneencoder series. These new parts are ideal for a variety of applications found in the professional audio industry, including electric guitars, amplifiers, mixers, drum machines, […]
High-current, four-terminal shunt resistors now in 1216 and 4026 sizes
Low resistance values are important for high-efficiency current sensing in that lower values mean less wasted power on the current sensing measurement itself. But sensing low resistance values becomes challenging because of lead resistance. Using a four-terminal shunt resistor eliminates the detrimental effects of lead resistance on the current sensing measurement operation. Stackpole recently added […]
