Latest Analog Technical Articles

Servo-loop testing allows the determination of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) transfer function. This article will…

Servo-loop testing allows the determination of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) transfer function. This article will describe the basics of servo-loop ADC testing and illustrate several different servo-loop test configurations.

Proper inductor selection is one key to the successful design and implementation of a switching regulator. This article…

Proper inductor selection is one key to the successful design and implementation of a switching regulator. This article will help you understand the relationship between the inductor value and circuit performance.

The Y-factor method simplifies noise figure measurements by allowing the use of variable attenuators in place of a…

The Y-factor method simplifies noise figure measurements by allowing the use of variable attenuators in place of a calibrated power meter. In addition to defining the Y factor, we will discuss noise source uncertainty and fixturing losses that can introduce errors in your noise figure measurements.

Improve your understanding of switch-mode voltage regulators by examining the electrical characteristics of a step-down…

Improve your understanding of switch-mode voltage regulators by examining the electrical characteristics of a step-down converter during the on and off portions of its switching cycle.

This article will analyze in detail the operation of a step-down DC/DC voltage converter. Using SPICE simulations, we…

This article will analyze in detail the operation of a step-down DC/DC voltage converter. Using SPICE simulations, we will investigate the output voltage settling, voltage ripple, and inductor and load currents.

This article presents the design of an unweighted (Z-weighted) audio filter with a flat frequency response from 20 Hz to…

This article presents the design of an unweighted (Z-weighted) audio filter with a flat frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz for the measurement of audio noise.

Switching regulators are an essential circuit for efficiently generating stable supply voltages and for translating…

Switching regulators are an essential circuit for efficiently generating stable supply voltages and for translating voltages up or down.

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.

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.

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.

Learn about using LTspice simulations to provide important insight into the performance of a switched-capacitor…

Learn about using LTspice simulations to provide important insight into the performance of a switched-capacitor voltage-inverting power supply.

Take a closer look at the definition of the RF noise figure and discuss some subtleties to help avoid erroneous…

Take a closer look at the definition of the RF noise figure and discuss some subtleties to help avoid erroneous interpretations of this specification.

Design a wideband analog multimeter to measure AC voltages and currents from 20 Hz to 1 MHz with a selectable sensitivity…

Design a wideband analog multimeter to measure AC voltages and currents from 20 Hz to 1 MHz with a selectable sensitivity from 1 mV to 100 V, while the ammeter has a selectable current sensitivity of 10 mA to 10 A.

Learn about two nonlinearity sources, spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR), and SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) in…

Learn about two nonlinearity sources, spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR), and SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) in analog-to-digital converters (ADCs).

In this project, learn to create a digitally-controlled oscillator or DCO-based audio synthesizer with an Arduino Nano or…

In this project, learn to create a digitally-controlled oscillator or DCO-based audio synthesizer with an Arduino Nano or an Arduino Uno.

In addition to explaining the nature of a negative voltage, this article briefly discusses how negative voltages are…

In addition to explaining the nature of a negative voltage, this article briefly discusses how negative voltages are generated and why they are useful in circuit design.