Capacitive digital isolators consist of two digital CMOS dies connected with a capacitive isolation barrier. The barrier provides galvanic isolation to meet safety regulations, reduce noise from ground loops, and connect interface communication boards or subcircuits that operate with different supply voltages. They are used in power converters and motor drives, electric vehicles (EVs), consumer […]
FAQ
Advancing automotive networks: robust ESD protection for Ethernet applications
Ethernet technology has emerged as a robust and reliable solution for data communication in various industrial and computing applications. While its adoption in the automotive sector has been relatively limited, automotive Ethernet is gaining momentum due to its ability to deliver fast and resilient data transfer. With its high bandwidth, flexibility in bus topologies, and […]
FAQ on traction motors, part 3
Traction motors are optimized for locomotives, EVs, elevators, and other situations where high torque at start-up and low speed is needed. The final part of this article examines additional traction-motor issues. Q: What about physical size and associated issues in traction-motor applications? A: Inner-city urban light-rail vehicle (LRV) floors are typically low since the stops […]
FAQ on traction motors, part 2
Traction motors are optimized for locomotives, EVs, elevators, and other situations where high torque at start-up and low speed is needed. The previous part of this article established the context for traction motors. This part looks at traction motors in more detail. Q: What is the relative position of DC versus AC traction motors? A: […]
FAQ on traction motors, part 1
Traction motors are optimized for locomotives, EVs, elevators, and other situations where high torque at start-up and low speed is needed. Motors are an essential part of many system designs, yet their diverse variations are a mystery to many electrical engineers and a surprising number of mechanical engineers. There are several reasons for general confusion […]
New technology significantly increases low-load efficiency to improve overall power supply performance
By Darrel Kingham, CEO, Pulsiv To comply with tightening regulations aimed at reducing energy consumption and achieving “Net Zero” targets, the global electronics industry must embrace new and innovative methods of designing efficient products that are also economical to manufacture. While GaN and SiC technologies have become a popular choice for enhancing peak efficiency, they […]
What are varactor or tuner diodes?
A varactor diode or varicap diode is a semiconductor diode that changes its junction capacitance significantly depending on the applied reverse bias voltage. Many semiconductor PN junction diodes are designed to exhibit specific electrical properties; the varactor diode or varicap diode is one such semiconductor specifically designed to exhibit unique junction capacitance characteristics. These types […]
How SiC MOSFETs and Si IGBTs boost sustainability in green energy systems
Silicon carbide (SIC) MOSFETs and silicon (Si) IGBTs can both boost sustainability in green energy systems. Of course, they don’t compete across the board, there are uses where one or the other is clearly preferred. When comparing the two technologies, it often comes down to the prioritization of performance characteristics like light weight versus low […]
How much can GaN improve sustainability and reduce CO2 emissions?
Gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductors are about less — less CO2 emission from device fabrication, less materials in the devices and power converters using GaN, less cost due to higher frequency operation and smaller passive components, and less thermal dissipation due to higher efficiencies. Those performance factors combine to improve the sustainability of power converters […]
How can digital twins improve power and motion system performance and sustainability?
A digital twin (DT) is a virtual representation of a physical system that spans its lifecycle, is updated using real-time data, and combines simulation, virtual testing, and machine learning to enable cross-functional teams to work collaboratively. Because it’s updated with real-time data, a DT creates a fusion between a modeling environment and real objects that’s […]