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 […]
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Maximizing the performance of SiC through gate drive techniques
New gate drivers simplify the task of deploying silicon-carbide FETs to shrink the size and boost the efficiency of power inverters. Charlie Ice Silicon Labs The electric vehicle revolution is upon us. Automotive companies search desperately for a technological edge, investors see EV companies as more valuable than traditional automakers, and governments press ahead with […]
Harnessing Power-over-Ethernet efficiently
A few simple techniques can boost the efficiency of modern PoE designs. Charlie Ice, Imre Droppa • Silicon Labs The latest Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology delivers enough power to meet the needs of today’s WiFi6 routers, IoT gateways, and 5G small cells. PoE now delivers up to 71 W of power over standard Ethernet […]
Power-management ICs cut active and sleep current by up to 50%
Silicon Labs announces a new line of energy-friendly power management ICs (PMICs) serving as dedicated companion chips for EFR32 wireless devices and EFM32 microcontrollers (MCUs). The EFP01 PMIC family provides a flexible, system-level power management solution enhancing the energy efficiency of battery-powered applications including IoT sensors, asset tags, smart meters, home and building automation, security, and health and wellness products. These […]
Power control ICs handle 90-W PoE connections
Silicon Labs has introduced a comprehensive Power over Ethernet (PoE) portfolio that reduces the cost and complexity of adding 90 W PoE to power sourcing equipment (PSE) and powered devices (PD). The new 90 W PoE portfolio complies with the IEEE 802.3bt standard, which more than doubles standard PoE power and expands the capabilities of wireless access […]
Isolation technology helping solar power connect to grid
by Rudye McGlothlin, Silicon Laboratories Although solar cells were invented some 60 years ago, solar technology is just now becoming a mainstay energy source for utility operators as they move to offload fossil fuels and incorporate more renewable energy sources. Despite a slowdown in 2018 after a reduction in solar feed-in tariffs in several countries, […]
Isolated smart switches excel at handling resistive/inductive industrial loads
Silicon Labs has introduced a family of compact, robust isolated smart switches designed to drive any load, even in the harshest industrial environments. The new Si834x isolated switches are ideal for driving resistive and inductive loads such as solenoids, relays and lamps used in industrial control systems including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), I/O modules, relay drivers […]
Understanding the electromagnetics of real capacitors
by Asem Elshimi, Design Engineer, IoT Wireless Solutions, Silicon Labs Confession: For the longest time, up to my senior year in electrical engineering school, I thought you could find a capacitor on its own. I had such a boundless imagination to think that you could find a circuit element that is purely capacitive in behavior […]
More tools for Zigbee smart lighting apps
Silicon Labs and Signify are collaborating on an extension of the Friends of Hue program enabling ecosystem partners to develop smart light switches for Philips Hue systems. Silicon Labs is providing the Zigbee cluster libraries, software tools, reference application and technical expertise to help participating companies certified by the Friends of Hue program quickly design and […]
Isolated ICs ensure precise current/voltage measurements
Silicon Labs has introduced a family of isolated analog amplifiers, voltage sensors and delta-sigma modulator (DSM) devices designed to provide accurate current and voltage measurement with very low drift across temperature. Based on Silicon Labs’ robust, third-generation isolation technology, the new Si89xx family provides flexible voltage, current, output and package options to help developers reduce […]
