Technical Features

April 2021
QSPICE: A Mission to Get SPICE Right

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Figure 1: MOSFET channel punch-through showing outputs from previous SPICE simulators vs. QSPICE

Qorvo’s QSPICE™ simulator for analog and mixed-signal simulation provides power designers with the tools to confidently evaluate their designs. Free to use, QSPICE improves SPICE basics, supports large amounts of digital logic without performance penalties, and delivers the speed and accuracy needed for rel
Date:
11/29/2024
High Density, Modular Power Delivery Networks Optimize Mobile Robot Performance

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Figure 1: The two robotics platforms are vastly different sizes, but their power delivery networks have much in common. A modular approach offers flexibility in the initial designs and typically faster delivery of subsequent power systems design

The range, productivity, and flexibility of a mobile robot can be enhanced by the optimal design of its power delivery network (PDN). There are complex power system design and architecture considerations in such PDNs due to the variation in the battery power source voltage plus the broad variety of loads that ma
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Date:
04/26/2021
Built-in Medical Power Supplies – Finally a Solution!

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Figure 1: Efficiency vs. load

Every developer looks forward to the moment when he knows that his prototype is finally working, all key functions have been realised and the software is fully implemented except for the diagnostic functions. At the next meeting, he proudly announces that all that is needed at this stage is the EMC approval an
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Date:
04/01/2021
A Set of Assets to Care About

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Figure 1. Focus Requirements for Asset Tracking Solutions based on Bluetooth Low Energy

Markets and Markets predicts that real-time location systems will grow to 10.3 billion units by 2025 at a rate of 24.8%. By their nature, these smart sensors need to be small and co-located with the asset themselves. This inherently needs the use of low-power integrated circuits to provide the intelligence and wi
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Date:
04/01/2021
Highly Integrated Solution for 48V Datacenter Applications

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Figure 1: MP5048 Typical Application Circuit

The distribution of higher power levels on multiple servers in datacenters inevitably generates greater power losses and hinders efficiency. This aspect can be mitigated by transiting from a traditional 12V distribution voltage to 48V. The increase in distribution voltage poses challenges for implementing the prote
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Date:
04/01/2021
High-Performance Radar Systems Based on GaN Technology
Phased arrays work on the principle that the interference between coinciding waveforms with different phase angles can influence the direction of transmission. Using this technique, a two-dimensional array of emitters can steer its aggregated output across a relatively wide angle, perpendicular to the array's sur
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Date:
04/01/2021
Adaptive Load Regulation and Dynamic Power Control

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Figure 1. Block diagram of an isolated analog output system

Today’s typical programmable logic controller (PLC) contains a multitude of analog and digital inputs and outputs for the monitoring and control of industrial and production processes. Modularization is widespread and, with respect to inputs and outputs (I/Os), covers the basic functions of analog I/Os and digi
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Date:
04/01/2021
Perspectives of Using GaN in Motor Drive Applications

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Figure 1: Adding a simple gate resistance produces variable dV/dt limiting

With industrial, office and home automation all expanding, motors and their drives are increasingly used for a wide range of functions from robotic arm control to the humble domestic clothes washer. Motors have of course been used for over a century, but today they must be ‘smart’ to enable more flexibility in
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Date:
04/01/2021
Efficiency, Performance Prompt Redesign of Industrial Motors

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Figure 1. Typical use cases for general purpose drives, servo drives and high power drives

The substantial use of motors in industrial applications makes even small efficiency improvements significant both in terms of global energy consumption and in the operating budgets of many plants. However, a historical pattern of using overrated motors to deliver bursts of higher current during acceleration ha
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Date:
04/01/2021
Why Industrial IoT Needs Wi-Fi HaLow for Wireless Connectivity

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Fig. 1: Wi-Fi HaLow delivers an optimal balance of long range, high capacity, low power, high data rates and low cost of deployment for industrial automation

Through the application of smart technologies including machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and Industrial IoT (IIoT), Industry 4.0 is having a huge impact. Virtually synonymous with Industry 4.0, IIoT enables cost-effective, reliable, and secure wireless connectivity for sensors, actuators, instruments an
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Date:
04/01/2021
Exploring Advancements in Industrial Markets w/ 60-GHz Radar

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Figure 1: Examples of use cases for 77- and 60-GHz radar for in-cabin sensing child presence and drowsiness detection

Sensors, either independently, or on machines, act as eyes to see one’s environment — they aggregate information at scale and analyze and act on this data. Millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar-based sensors are emerging as reliable workhorses in this space. Unlike other sensors based on optical, infrared, or ultras
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Date:
04/01/2021
Taking Advantage of PFM with MicroModules for Space Constrained Applications

Figure 1: Block diagram of a security camera application

Space constrained applications like portable devices require especially designed DC/DC converters with a certain set of characteristics. Tight space, by definition, requires tiny DC/DC converters which have excellent thermal performance. This article digs deeper into the challenges that arise for the power supply of s
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Date:
04/01/2021
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