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 […]
FAQ
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 […]
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 […]
Basics of AC power measurements
Quantifying the performance of switch-mode power converters is an increasingly important aspect of system design. Systems are often required to meet standards for efficiency, standby power, power factor, harmonic distortion, and more. Switch-mode power converters have large capacitors connected to the ac input, resulting in complex input waveforms. Their performance cannot be analyzed correctly based […]
Selecting dc-link capacitors for inverters
One key factor: Determining the nuances of how capacitors handle expected ripple currents. Sam G. Parler, Jr., P.E. Cornell Dubilier Examine a dc link capacitor’s ac ripple current and you’ll realize it arises from two main contributors: the incoming current from the energy source and the current drawn by the inverter. Of course, capacitors cannot […]
