Technical Features

September 2011
Smart Consideration of Inductor Thermal Performance for DC-DC Converter Performance and Reliability

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Figure1: Inductor Self-heating in the core vs the winding

The efficiency and the thermal properties of key components have very real implications for the success of any converter design. Switching FETs and inductors are generally the two most considered choices determining size and performance of any converter. Though made of vastly different materials of course, and with dif
Date:
02/28/2026
Notebook DC-DC Converter Design
In the competitive world of notebook computers, the key performance attributes are battery life, weight, and size (particularly height) for a given level of performance. Recent advances
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Date:
09/28/2011
PCB Layout

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Figure 1: Switching frequency vs. switching transitions

Switch mode power supplies convert one voltage to another. Such supplies are generally very efficient and thus replace linear regulators in many applications. Switching frequency versus
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Date:
09/28/2011
Selecting a Precision Op Amp

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Figure 1 - ISL28134: 0.1Hz to 10Hz Peak-to-Peak Noise Voltage

Choosing an op amp for high end sensor input projects can be especially challenging if the sensors or their design environments require ultra low-power, low-noise, zero-drift, rail-to-rail input
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Date:
09/28/2011
Solar Inverter Reliability

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Figure 1: Single-Stage, Single-Phase Inverter Block Diagram

The modern power grid will feature photovoltaic (PV) power systems that offer a sustainable alternative to fossil-fueled power plants. PV power systems consist of multiple components such
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Date:
09/28/2011
Video Security Benefits

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Figure 1: Traditional Approach of Remote Voltage Sensing

Even before the heightened awareness brought on by threats of terrorism, many public and private institutions had already began to incorporate video security into critical infrastructure. Video
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Date:
09/27/2011
Smart Components for Smart Grids

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Smart Grids need to modern passive components

Energy efficiency with advanced magnetic alloys - the quality of smart grids starts with the quality of their materials The famous English social reformer John Ruskin (1849 - 1900) was
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Date:
09/22/2011
PV Selection

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Typical high quality rooftop installation

When looking into either adding solar installation to your business, or want to know how to get the best deals, there are several factors to consider. Reliability is key; investigate the
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Date:
09/13/2011
Auto Foundry Demands

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Figure 1: Automotive Electronics Forecast and Semiconductor Content per Vehicle (Source: Gartner - March 2011)

Automotive electronics has emerged as one of the most important applications for integrated circuits. The expanded use of automotive electronics and concomitant semiconductor content per vehicle
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Date:
09/06/2011
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