Technical Features

August 2012
Molded Power Inductors

Figure 1a here

Figure 1a: Saturation current (Isat) comparison between a hard saturation ferrite power inductor (orange color) and soft saturation powdered alloy power inductor (blue color) at different ambient temperatures displayed by REDEXPERT. Saturation at an ambient temperature of 20ºC

Higher power requirements and miniaturization expose passives to rising temperatures, increasing the probability of thermal aging. This article explores how to select molded high-current power inductors, which are exposed to high temperatures for an extended time. The constant market demand to increase power density
Date:
09/28/2024
Estimating bond wire current-carrying capacity
Semiconductor manufacturers use wire bonds extensively to connect a chip's I/O pads, including power, to its package's external pins. Wire bonding processes typically use gold wire because
. . . Learn More
Date:
08/28/2012
High-side automotive battery monitoring

Click image to enlarge

Figure 1: Functional blocks for amsï½s two-chip sensor interface for high-side automotive battery current sensing.

Manufacturers are electrifying more functions within a car, reducing the mechanical load on the internal-combustion engine. These functions include water, oil, and fuel pumps; valve actuation;
. . . Learn More
Date:
08/28/2012
Current sensing in an automotive environment

Click image to enlarge

Figure 1: An example of a shielded air-core open-loop current sensor from Raztec provides a strong combination of high performance in a small package and at low cost.

The Automotive industry has long been the ultimate test ground for electronic components. Few terrestrial environments present such a combination of demands as does the under-hood locale
. . . Learn More
Date:
08/28/2012
Improving engine stop-start system design

Click image to enlarge

Figure 1: Integrated gate driver with external passive components.

Automatic engine stop-start is effective in helping reduce CO2 emissions from private cars. When integrated in an otherwise conventional combustion-engine power train, engine stop-start
. . . Learn More
Date:
08/24/2012
Non-contact driver�s ECG monitoring system

Click image to enlarge

Figure 1: Block diagram of a typical EPIC sensor

EPIC (Electric Potential Integrated Circuit) is a very-high-impedance electric-field sensor that measures the ambient electric field with minimal disturbance. EPIC sensors are suitable for
. . . Learn More
Date:
08/19/2012
Hall effect current sensing in HEVs and EVs

Click image to enlarge

Figure 1: Typical HEV system block diagram

Consumers are embracing environmentally friendly green cars due to the rising cost of fossil fuels and a growing concern for the health of the environment. Sales forecasts predict that green
. . . Learn More
Date:
08/19/2012
Sleeping Conserves Energy

Click image to enlarge

Figure 1: CAN network with partial-networking controllers during the transmission of a message to ECU7 (without partial-networking support)

Minimizing energy consumption has become a major factor for any new product design in recent years. Hardly any industry can afford to disregard this issue in the definition, development,
. . . Learn More
Date:
08/19/2012
Flexible power management for complex PCBs

Click image to enlarge

Figure 1: Communication line card primary ICs and power supply requirements

The number of power supplies on a board depends on the VLSI chip complement, the communication speed between them, and the number of other devices that require unique supplies. This
. . . Learn More
Date:
08/18/2012
Designing with low-leakage tantalum and niobium oxide capacitors
DCL (direct current leakage) is an effect common to all capacitors. DCL values and behavior under varying electrical and environmental conditions relate to the capacitor's dielectric. The leakage
. . . Learn More
Date:
08/13/2012
Battery-charger trends in portable power products
The first trend requires increased battery capacities. Unfortunately, users are often impatient and charge systems must recharge these increased capacities in a reasonable time, which leads to
. . . Learn More
Date:
08/09/2012
Archives