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Ousting 1900s-era Tech? Solid-state Circuit Breakers Extract DC from AC without Magnetics

Extracting DC from AC without any magnetics at all? A new solid-state circuit breaker put forth by Amber Solutions in partnership with Infineon Technologies stands to cause some pretty intense waves by displacing the nearly century-old technology upon which our electrical infrastructure is built.

July 06, 2021 by Kate Smith

Of Slide Switches and Interface Design: Introspection on UX and EEs

A lesser-discussed aspect of electronics design, user experience, can be the difference between a good product and a great one. A new set of slide switches sparks some philosophical contemplation.

April 30, 2021 by Jake Hertz

TDK Sensor Shows How Capacitive MEMS and Low-power IoT Go Hand in Hand

TDK recently announced the so-called "lowest power waterproof MEMS barometric pressure sensor." Why did TDK choose capacitive MEMS as the go-to architecture for low power?

April 15, 2021 by Jake Hertz

New Load Switch Underlines the Place of “True Reverse-current Blocking”

High-voltage electronics cause a number of issues for FETs used as load switches. A new device from Diodes Incorporated aims to tackle the long-standing issue of reverse current.

March 15, 2021 by Jake Hertz

Micro Mirrors Expand Field of View in Intel’s New MEMs LiDAR Camera

LiDAR is cropping up in manifold variants, and for scanning LiDAR, MEMs micro-mirrors are a key factor in determining the field of vision.

March 10, 2021 by Jake Hertz

Simplifying EV Power Design by Overcoming the Gate Driver Power Challenge

Power conversion systems in EVs follow the half-bridge configuration. This article explores the IGBT half-bridge design of a high-voltage side (output stage) of the gate driver.

February 16, 2021 by Charlie Ice, Silicon Labs

New Switch Families Aim to Break Down Complicated Network Infrastructure Walls

Microchip is seeking to cut through the fog of network complexity with two new families—one family of Ethernet switches and one family of PCIe 5.0 switches.

February 05, 2021 by Jake Hertz

ANALOG DEVICES INC. ADG5401F Fault Protection SPST Switch | New Product Brief

This New Product Brief (NPB) is part of a video series highlighting the features, applications, and technical specs of newly-released products.

February 04, 2021 by Mouser Electronics

Panasonic EVP-BB Series Tactile Switches | AAC Digital Datasheet

AAC’s Digital Datasheet video series introduces the specs and applications of components—both new and familiar—straight from their datasheets.

February 04, 2021 by Panasonic

ANALOG DEVICES INC. Si Non-Reflective 44GHz SP4T Switches | New Product Brief

This New Product Brief (NPB) is part of a video series highlighting the features, applications, and technical specs of newly-released products.

December 24, 2020 by Mouser Electronics

TDK’s Newest MEMS Accelerometer Hopes to Address Familiar Sensor Design Woes

TDK's recently-announced single-axis MEMS accelerometer aims to bring a bit more bandwidth to the table in a bandwidth-hungry industry.

December 18, 2020 by Antonio Anzaldua Jr.

PHOENIX CONTACT FL 1000 Unmanaged Switches | New Product Brief

This New Product Brief (NPB) is part of a video series highlighting the features, applications, and technical specs of newly-released products.

November 27, 2020 by Mouser Electronics

Researchers Create Low-Power Method to Control Magnetism With Voltage

New research has unveiled that it’s possible to switch states of magnetism between ON and OFF in a new class of easy-to-fabricate materials containing nitrogen.

November 26, 2020 by Luke James

The Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) as a Switch

This video tutorial demonstrates how a bipolar junction transistor can allow a low-voltage signal to control a high-power load.

November 22, 2020 by Robert Keim

Menlo Micro Claims to Have “Reinvented the Electronic Switch”

Menlo Micro says that it’s reinventing one of the most basic technological innovations: the electric switch. To enable volume production, it has raised $44 million in a Series B funding round led by 40 North Ventures alongside other capital groups.

October 23, 2020 by Luke James

KEMET TRS Thermal Reed Switch | Tech Specs

This episode of Tech Specs is part of a video series highlighting the features, applications, and technical specs of newly-released products.

October 22, 2020 by TTI, Inc

Photorelays: A More Power- and Size-Efficient Alternative to Conventional Relays?

Photorelays are gaining traction. In many cases, these devices outpace their mechanical counterparts in terms of size and power efficiency.

September 14, 2020 by Jake Hertz

The Benefits and Challenges of a GaN-Based, Quasi-Resonant Power Converter

A recently-released reference design for a GaN-based QR adaptor opens a discussion: How do quasi-resonant flyback converters work? And what are the virtues and limitations of designing a GaN-based power converter?

August 13, 2020 by Steve Arar

Reviewing a Subcategory of Hall-Effect Sensors: the Unipolar Hall-Effect Sensor

The unipolar Hall-effect sensor, also known as a unipolar switch, animates a variety of proximity-sensing devices—from gear-shift levers to laptop screens.

July 30, 2020 by Jake Hertz

Reed Relays Can Be the Best Solution for Signal Switching in T&M

Signal switching is vital in test systems, and there are many options to accomplish the task. Here's why reed relay-based switching systems may be your best bet.

July 29, 2020 by Steve Arar