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An Introduction to the CORDIC Algorithm

An Introduction to the CORDIC Algorithm

CORDIC is a hardware-efficient iterative method which uses rotations to calculate a wide range of elementary functions.


High-Speed ESD Protection: A New Line of TVS Diodes from AVX

High-Speed ESD Protection: A New Line of TVS Diodes from AVX

Components such as those in the GiGuard series can help you to protect your circuit from transient events while maintaining high-speed performance.


Design Considerations for Digital VLSI

Design Considerations for Digital VLSI

In this article, we discuss metastability, setup time, and hold time in designing a digital VLSI circuit.


Getting Started with FPGAs: The Development Environment and “Hello World”

Getting Started with FPGAs: The Development Environment and “Hello World”

It’s time to dive into the world of programmable logic. Use this tutorial to get your FPGA development environment setup and understand the tool set and basic development process.


Simplified Power Supervision for Portable Devices: A New Battery Management IC from Maxim

Simplified Power Supervision for Portable Devices: A New Battery Management IC from Maxim

There are many integrated circuits that can help you to optimize the performance of battery-powered devices. In this article we’ll take a look at the MAX17055.


Convenient, High-Efficiency Power: A New Series of DC/DC Converter Modules from Murata

Convenient, High-Efficiency Power: A New Series of DC/DC Converter Modules from Murata

You can’t beat the efficiency of switch-mode power supplies, and you can avoid the design-complexity issue by using DC/DC modules such as those in the OKDx-T/90 series.


A Microcontroller Enthusiast’s First Look at Programmable Logic

A Microcontroller Enthusiast’s First Look at Programmable Logic

The FPGA can be a great addition to your arsenal, but it requires some adjustments to the way a microcontroller jockey thinks.


The AS7261 Color Sensor: Measuring Color in XYZ

The AS7261 Color Sensor: Measuring Color in XYZ

The AS7261 is a highly integrated sensor that provides optical measurements via a digital interface.


Clean Clocking: The New CDCE813-Q1 Clock Synthesizer

Clean Clocking: The New CDCE813-Q1 Clock Synthesizer

The CDCE813-Q1 is a customizable, fairly high-frequency clock generator that is qualified for automotive applications.


Comparing the Electret to MEMS Microphones

Comparing the Electret to MEMS Microphones

This technical brief explains the physical characteristics and the benefits of microphones based on MEMS technology.


Back to Basics: SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface)

Back to Basics: SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface)

The Serial Peripheral Interface Bus enables full-duplex serial data transfer between multiple integrated circuits.


The How and Why of Spread-Spectrum Digital Signals

The How and Why of Spread-Spectrum Digital Signals

This technical brief discusses the use of spread spectrum modulation in digital circuits, particularly clock signals.


Controlling a Stepper Motor with an SIRC TV Remote and a PICAXE: Infrared Capabilities

Controlling a Stepper Motor with an SIRC TV Remote and a PICAXE: Infrared Capabilities

Remote controls for electronics often use IR (infrared) radiation in a very precisely coded sequence for channel surfing, volume adjustments, and more. One of the most popular codes is the SIRC (Sony Infrared Remote Code) which may be used with a PICAXE microcontroller to manage a stepper motor, or most any other electronic or electro-mechanical device.


Testing a Custom IoT Framework by Controlling an LED: RIOT (RealTime Internet of Things)

Testing a Custom IoT Framework by Controlling an LED: RIOT (RealTime Internet of Things)

Using a custom framework (RIOT) to control an LED with a networked computer.


Projects Feb 08, 2017 by Robin Mitchell
An Introductory Project for Software Defined Radio

An Introductory Project for Software Defined Radio

Learn how to listen to frequencies on the air with nothing more than a USB dongle: first FM radio, then voice signals.


Projects Feb 02, 2017 by Christi Durham
UART Baud Rate: How Accurate Does It Need to Be?

UART Baud Rate: How Accurate Does It Need to Be?

This article will help you to determine the maximum acceptable difference between the baud rates of a UART transmitter and receiver.


Designing a Circular-Touch-Sense User Interface

Designing a Circular-Touch-Sense User Interface

This project gives you an example of how a basic user interface can be implemented using only one circular capacitive touch sensor.


Projects Jan 05, 2017 by Robert Keim
The Packet Concept: High-Level Synchronization for Data Links

The Packet Concept: High-Level Synchronization for Data Links

Learn about (for lack of a better term) packetization, a technique that facilitates robust data transfer in optical, RF, and long-distance-digital communication systems.


LVDS: High-Speed, Low-Power, Robust Data Transfer

LVDS: High-Speed, Low-Power, Robust Data Transfer

This technical brief discusses characteristics and advantages of low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS).


How the Boost PFC Converter Circuit Improves Power Quality

How the Boost PFC Converter Circuit Improves Power Quality

A boost power factor correction (PFC) converter can significantly improve both the power factor and the harmonic distortion.