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The Basics of Emitter-Coupled Logic

The Basics of Emitter-Coupled Logic

This article will review the operation of a basic ECL inverter/buffer, and then we’ll look at some of the most important features of this logic family.


Hardware Assessment: LightCrafter Evaluation Kit for BeagleBoard Black from Texas Instruments

Hardware Assessment: LightCrafter Evaluation Kit for BeagleBoard Black from Texas Instruments

The Texas Instruments DLPDLCR2000EVM is a demonstration cape designed to plug into a BeagleBone Black (BBB) and provide instant-on projection capabilities using a digital micromirror device and a relatively high-power RGB LED.


Projects Jul 09, 2018 by Mark Hughes
The World’s Largest “Ultrahigh-Sensitivity” Sensor Could Defend the Earth from Meteors

The World’s Largest “Ultrahigh-Sensitivity” Sensor Could Defend the Earth from Meteors

Canon has demonstrated the world's largest sensor at a whopping 400cm square that can be used in light levels as low as 0.3 lux. What challenges does such a sensor face and how could it be used to defend the earth?


News Jul 09, 2018 by Robin Mitchell
Precise Incline Measurement: A High-Stability 3-Axis Digital Accelerometer from STMicroelectronics

Precise Incline Measurement: A High-Stability 3-Axis Digital Accelerometer from STMicroelectronics

This article takes a look at the IIS3DHHC three-axis accelerometer from STMicroelectronics.


News Jul 05, 2018 by Mark Hughes
Use the Xilinx System Generator to Implement a Simple DDS

Use the Xilinx System Generator to Implement a Simple DDS

In this article, we’ll discuss implementing a simple direct digital synthesizer (DDS) using the Xilinx System Generator.


“Ultra-Low” Current Consumption: A Battery Charger from STMicroelectronics

“Ultra-Low” Current Consumption: A Battery Charger from STMicroelectronics

This article will look at the most important features of the STBC15 which is STMicroelectronics newly released ultra-low current consumption linear battery charger.


News Jul 02, 2018 by Dr. Steve Arar
3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Control with Hall Sensors

3-Phase Brushless DC Motor Control with Hall Sensors

This article describes how to control a 3-phase brushless DC motor using a GreenPAK.


Product Brief: New CMOS Imaging Sensor by ams Aims to Be the Future for Machine Vision

Product Brief: New CMOS Imaging Sensor by ams Aims to Be the Future for Machine Vision

ams, an Austrian company which specializes in sensor technology with a special focus on miniaturization and low-power, recently announced the beginning of production for their CMV50000 CMOS image sensor.


News Jun 26, 2018 by Chantelle Dubois
Microchip Introduces New Line of Microcontrollers with Dual Core Functionality: The dsPIC33CH Family

Microchip Introduces New Line of Microcontrollers with Dual Core Functionality: The dsPIC33CH Family

In the world of power, control monitoring is incredibly important for functional as well as safety reasons. And with the demand rising for GUIs in even the most basic products, it comes as no surprise that current microcontrollers are struggling to meet this demand. Microchip has announced its latest family of devices, the dsPIC33CH, that aims to tackle this!


News Jun 25, 2018 by Robin Mitchell
Basics of Phase Truncation in Direct Digital Synthesizers

Basics of Phase Truncation in Direct Digital Synthesizers

This article will discuss phase truncation in direct digital synthesizers.


News Brief: RIGOL Releases New Oscilloscope Line and Spectrum Analyzer

News Brief: RIGOL Releases New Oscilloscope Line and Spectrum Analyzer

RIGOL, a Beijing-based company, is celebrating their 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, RIGOL has announced the release of two products: the 7000 range of oscilloscopes and the affordable RSA3000 real-time spectrum analyzer range.


News Jun 14, 2018 by Robin Mitchell
Ultra-Low Jitter: A Programmable Oscillator with Internal EEPROM from Texas Instruments

Ultra-Low Jitter: A Programmable Oscillator with Internal EEPROM from Texas Instruments

The LMK61E07 is an I2C-controlled programmable variable frequency oscillator that can be used as an adjustable frequency source in computer networking, medical imaging, FPGA, and broadcast video applications.


News Jun 14, 2018 by Mark Hughes
Implementing a Binary Parity Generator and Checker with GreenPAK

Implementing a Binary Parity Generator and Checker with GreenPAK

This app note implements a binary parity generator and checker with two data input variants, a parallel data input, and a serial data input. It describes the implemented logic, GreenPAKs implementation, and the obtained results.


Making the Cloud More Powerful: Xilinx FPGAs and Adaptive Workload Acceleration

Making the Cloud More Powerful: Xilinx FPGAs and Adaptive Workload Acceleration

Historically, FPGAs have been challenging to work with. To combat that reputation, Xilinx developed programmable devices that simplify—and accelerate—the implementation of customized hardware development.


Build Your Own Negative Voltage Generator

Build Your Own Negative Voltage Generator

Everyone needs a negative voltage rail eventually, but most only have a single rail supply. This project will show you how to build a negative voltage generator that runs off a single rail supply!


Projects Jun 07, 2018 by Robin Mitchell
Memory Roundup: Resistive RAM for AI, Upcoming DDR5 Specifications, and the Latest on 3D NAND

Memory Roundup: Resistive RAM for AI, Upcoming DDR5 Specifications, and the Latest on 3D NAND

Today’s roundup touches on how resistive RAM could change artificial intelligence applications, what to expect with upcoming DDR5 RAM specifications, and the latest news on 3D NAND flash memory.


News Jun 06, 2018 by Chantelle Dubois
Basics of Digital Down-Conversion in DSP

Basics of Digital Down-Conversion in DSP

This article discusses digital down-conversion which is a digital-signal-processing technique widely used in digital radio receivers.


Hardware Evaluation of a Custom Programmable Wi-Fi Controller: The WiCard

Hardware Evaluation of a Custom Programmable Wi-Fi Controller: The WiCard

This article explores the schematic design and basic features of a smart programmable wireless controller module I designed: the WiCard.


Side-Wettable Flanks Enable AOI on Leadless SMD (DFN) Packages

Side-Wettable Flanks Enable AOI on Leadless SMD (DFN) Packages

Quad flat no-lead and discrete (or dual) flat no-lead packages provide a welcome increase in component density on a PCB area by eliminating leads. However, the solder connection quality cannot be tested by automated optical inspection. This article explores solutions to this often costly problem.


An FPGA in an Arduino? New MKR Vidor 4000 Board Brings FPGA Complexity to Non-EEs

An FPGA in an Arduino? New MKR Vidor 4000 Board Brings FPGA Complexity to Non-EEs

FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays) are undeniably powerful. Now, makers will also have a platform to allow them to harness this technology.


News May 29, 2018 by Robin Mitchell