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Understanding Linear-Phase Filters

Understanding Linear-Phase Filters

Linear phase response, also known as constant group delay, is an important property in some filter applications.


Understanding Complex-Conjugate Poles in Filter Theory

Understanding Complex-Conjugate Poles in Filter Theory

This technical brief explains the importance of complex-conjugate poles and second-order stages in optimizing filter performance.


Understanding Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) Modulation

Understanding Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) Modulation

This technical brief covers the basic characteristics of a digital modulation scheme known as quadrature phase shift keying.


Signal Conditioning for Pyroelectric Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensors

Signal Conditioning for Pyroelectric Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensors

Learn about the basics, signal conditioning, digital output, and hardware specs of passive infrared sensors.


Understanding the Delta-Sigma ADC

Understanding the Delta-Sigma ADC

ADCs (analog-to-digital converters) can be described as either Nyquist-rate or oversampled converters. The Delta-Sigma ADC belongs to the oversampled family of converters. It relies upon oversampling and noise shaping to achieve high-resolution conversions.


The Actively Loaded MOSFET Differential Pair: Measuring Lambda, Predicting Gain

The Actively Loaded MOSFET Differential Pair: Measuring Lambda, Predicting Gain

In this article, we’ll look at the equation for differential gain and use LTspice to find the value of the channel-length-modulation parameter referred to as lambda (λ).


The Actively Loaded MOSFET Differential Pair: Output Resistance

The Actively Loaded MOSFET Differential Pair: Output Resistance

In this article, we’ll discuss MOSFET small-signal output resistance as we make our way toward predicting the gain of the actively loaded differential pair.


Advantages of the Actively Loaded MOSFET Differential Pair

Advantages of the Actively Loaded MOSFET Differential Pair

In this article, we’ll discuss two benefits of using an active load: improved biasing conditions and differential-to-single-ended conversion.


The MOSFET Differential Pair with Active Load

The MOSFET Differential Pair with Active Load

Learn about a fairly simple yet highly beneficial modification to the drain-resistor-based version of the MOSFET differential pair.


The Basic MOSFET Differential Pair

The Basic MOSFET Differential Pair

In this article, we’ll examine the most straightforward version of this foundational integrated-circuit amplifier topology.


Bridge Amplifiers for Single-Supply Applications

Bridge Amplifiers for Single-Supply Applications

This article describes the bridge-amplifier configuration and explains why it’s especially handy when you don’t have a negative voltage supply.


Inductor Out, Op-Amp In: An Introduction to Second-Order Active Filters

Inductor Out, Op-Amp In: An Introduction to Second-Order Active Filters

In this article, we’ll compare active and passive filters and look at some common second-order active topologies.


FIR Filter Design by Windowing: Concepts and the Rectangular Window

FIR Filter Design by Windowing: Concepts and the Rectangular Window

In this article, we'll review the basic concepts in digital filter design. We'll also briefly discuss the advantages of FIR filters over IIR designs, e.g. stability and linear-phase response. Finally, we'll go over an introduction to designing FIR filters via the window method.


Digital-to-Analog Conversion with the SAM4S Peripheral DMA Controller

Digital-to-Analog Conversion with the SAM4S Peripheral DMA Controller

Part Three in this three-article series shows you how to generate values for a discrete sinusoid and continuously convert this data into an analog signal without overburdening the CPU.


Projects May 09, 2016 by Robert Keim
Understanding and Using the SAM4S Digital-to-Analog Converter

Understanding and Using the SAM4S Digital-to-Analog Converter

Part Two in this three-article series explores the SAM4S DAC. We’ll look at hardware configuration, electrical characteristics, and the application programming interface.


Projects May 04, 2016 by Robert Keim
Classification of Signals used in Electrical Engineering

Classification of Signals used in Electrical Engineering

Classifying signals is a way to organize the signals that surround us. It focuses design, testing requirements, measurement tools, and expected results. There are many ways to classify signals!


PWM Digital-to-Analog Conversion with the SAM4S Xplained Pro

PWM Digital-to-Analog Conversion with the SAM4S Xplained Pro

In this article we’ll use the SAM4S Xplained Pro development platform to get some hands-on experience with a PWM DAC.


Projects Apr 19, 2016 by Robert Keim
Low-Pass Filter a PWM Signal into an Analog Voltage

Low-Pass Filter a PWM Signal into an Analog Voltage

In this article we will take a closer look at how to effectively low-pass filter a PWM signal into an analog voltage.


Turn Your PWM into a DAC

Turn Your PWM into a DAC

If your microcontroller doesn’t have a digital-to-analog converter, you can make a passable replacement with nothing more than a pulse-width-modulated signal and a low-pass filter.


How to Buffer an Op-Amp Output for Higher Current, Part 4

How to Buffer an Op-Amp Output for Higher Current, Part 4

If you choose to buffer with MOSFETs instead of BJTs, you need to consider the relationship between gate capacitance and instability.