Thyristors or silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) and TRIACs are simple bipolar devices which probably get forgotten in this high-tech, CMOS, MOSFET, digital world. A thyristor is a PNPN bipolar device, compared to a normal bipolar transistor which will be PNP or NPN. A common way of explaining their operation is to visualize the thyristor as […]
onsemiconductor
The formidable forgotten FETs
The world is full of MOSFETs — they are the cornerstone of most ICs. However, the humble JFET still exists, although it is a bit of a niche market now and not always easy to find. Vishay, who took over the Siliconix brand many years ago, seem to have dropped JFETs now, although Siliconix was one […]
Dimming LEDs
As the use of LEDs for area lighting has grown dramatically, with both the use of LED-based replacement bulbs as well as LED-based fixtures for new construction (called luminaires in the trade), the issue of dimming these LEDs becomes more critical. LEDs require a very different technique for dimming than the conventional legacy incandescent bulb. […]
Top power electronics threads on EDAboard.com – April
(editor’s note: Intrigued by these power electronics problems? Have a question or another solution? Then click the “Read more” link and follow the conversation on EDAboard.com or log in to EDAboard and participate in the power electronics forum threads.) Cheap mains conducted emissions tester? – Our direct drive, 100W offline, non-isolated LED driver failed EMC […]
Video line-up: Gallium nitride semiconductors at APEC 2017
The recently concluded APEC 2017 in Tampa played host to a lot of technological developments involving GaN semiconductors. Here are a few of the demos on the exhibit floor that highlighted what these wide band gap devices can do for power circuits. In the future, your TV set may not need a power cord […]
100-V bridge power stage module targets half-bridge and full-bridge DC-DC converters
ON Semiconductor has launched the FDMF8811, the industry’s first 100 V Bridge Power Stage module for half-bridge and full-bridge isolated dc-dc converters. The 25 A-rated device integrates a 120 V driver IC, a bootstrap diode, and two highly efficient power MOSFETs in a PQFN-36 package. The FDMF8811 reduces the board area required for dc-dc converter […]
Top power electronics threads on EDAboard.com – March
(editor’s note: Intrigued by these power electronics problems? Have a question or another solution? Then click the “Read more” link and follow the conversation on EDAboard.com or log in to EDAboard and participate in the power electronics forum thread.) Relationship between Q factor and the coupling factor of two wireless coils – I am testing […]
What’s your type? Walk-thru of semiconductor diodes
There are quite a few different types of semiconductor diode from junction diodes, Schottky diodes, Zener diodes etc. You need to know the difference between them in order to select one. A good place to start the description of the types would be a comparison of a conventional PN junction diode and a fast recovery […]
Top power electronics threads on EDAboard.com – January
(editor’s note: Intrigued by these power electronics problems? Have a question or another solution? Then click the “Read more” link and follow the conversation on EDAboard.com or log in to EDAboard and participate in the power electronics forum thread.) Help with step down 48V to 12V – I want to convert from 48V to 12V using […]
600-V intelligent power modules handle motor control, industrial uses
ON Semiconductor has launched new intelligent power module (IPM) technologies for industrial power management and motor control applications. Reinforcing the company’s position as a leading supplier of IPMs, the company’s new STK57FU394AG-E (15A) and STK5MFU3C1A-E (30A) are advanced 600 V IPMs that integrate a power factor correction (PFC) converter, three-phase inverter output stage, pre-drive circuitry […]