Latest Technical Articles

This article provides an introduction to the computational number system known as binary-coded decimal or BCD. This…

This article provides an introduction to the computational number system known as binary-coded decimal or BCD. This numeric encoding scheme is historically significant and still advantageous in certain applications.

Understanding PCB material parameters such as relative permittivity and loss tangent allows us to discuss some important…

Understanding PCB material parameters such as relative permittivity and loss tangent allows us to discuss some important considerations for choosing the right material when designing a high-speed/high-frequency application.

Ultra-thin, flexible, and low-power displays support wireless, IoT, and energy-harvesting applications that continue to…

Ultra-thin, flexible, and low-power displays support wireless, IoT, and energy-harvesting applications that continue to bring intelligence to more products. This article examines two of the most popular low-power reflective display technologies—electrochromic and electrophoretic.

Understanding two key Boolean canonical forms, the sum-of-products and the product-of-sums, is important in digital…

Understanding two key Boolean canonical forms, the sum-of-products and the product-of-sums, is important in digital system design and optimization. We will introduce how to generate these forms and provide guidelines on when it is typically best to use each form.

The Y-factor method is a widely used technique for measuring the gain and noise figure (NF) of RF components. This…

The Y-factor method is a widely used technique for measuring the gain and noise figure (NF) of RF components. This article will help you understand the differences between the insertion gain and the available gain, while avoiding potentially significant errors when measuring the noise figure.

This project demonstrates the design and operation of a root-mean-squared (RMS) detector for inclusion in a wideband…

This project demonstrates the design and operation of a root-mean-squared (RMS) detector for inclusion in a wideband voltmeter. The RMS detector is useful for measuring certain signal types, including noise, since it provides an indication of the energy in a signal.

Learn about Bluetooth LE's security features and tools, how to use them, and understand how they keep connections secure.

Learn about Bluetooth LE's security features and tools, how to use them, and understand how they keep connections secure.

In this article, we’ll use LTspice simulations to more thoroughly understand output-voltage ripple and consider…

In this article, we’ll use LTspice simulations to more thoroughly understand output-voltage ripple and consider techniques for mitigating it within a charge pump circuit.

Continuing our in-depth look at a simple SPICE circuit that can generate a negative supply voltage, we’ll consider the…

Continuing our in-depth look at a simple SPICE circuit that can generate a negative supply voltage, we’ll consider the effect of oscillator frequency on the system’s performance parameters.

Explore the seven states of the Bluetooth LE radio, how the link layer state machine manages the LE radio, and the roles…

Explore the seven states of the Bluetooth LE radio, how the link layer state machine manages the LE radio, and the roles of these states in wireless communication.

Indispensable for modern electrical engineering, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) form a diverse group of…

Indispensable for modern electrical engineering, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) form a diverse group of integrated circuits (ICs) that help designers to optimize sophisticated electronic devices.

Learn about measuring the noise figure (NF) using the Y factor method. We'll dive into using this to find the noise…

Learn about measuring the noise figure (NF) using the Y factor method. We'll dive into using this to find the noise factor, how to calibrate for noise temperature, and much more.

Learn about the different Bluetooth low energy (LE) PHY radio modes, their unique characteristics, and how they influence…

Learn about the different Bluetooth low energy (LE) PHY radio modes, their unique characteristics, and how they influence power consumption and range in wireless LE devices. 

In this project, learn how to use a potentiometer's reading on the M5Stack core to control a servo motor.

In this project, learn how to use a potentiometer's reading on the M5Stack core to control a servo motor.

Real-time image processing is a resource-intensive task that often requires specialized hardware. With that in mind,…

Real-time image processing is a resource-intensive task that often requires specialized hardware. With that in mind, let's explore processors that are designed specifically for photo and video applications.

Learn another way to characterize RF noise components using noise temperature and how this concept clears up how noise…

Learn another way to characterize RF noise components using noise temperature and how this concept clears up how noise figure measurement instruments actually work.

In this article, we’ll use SPICE simulations to explore the theory and behavior of negative voltages.

In this article, we’ll use SPICE simulations to explore the theory and behavior of negative voltages.

Learn more about dithering, namely improving the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of an analog-to-digital converter…

Learn more about dithering, namely improving the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that exhibits differential nonlinearity (DNL) errors.

Learn about the RF noise figure (NF), its power gain, lossy components, and cascaded systems.

Learn about the RF noise figure (NF), its power gain, lossy components, and cascaded systems.