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Bricking Proof: Designing Safety-Critical RTL for eFuse Controllers

Bricking Proof: Designing Safety-Critical RTL for eFuse Controllers

An RTL glitch in an eFuse controller can permanently brick costly silicon. This article covers defense-in-depth FSM design, redundant watchdogs, and formal SVA verification.


Class AB vs. Class D: Understanding the Trade-Offs for Piezo Driver Design

Class AB vs. Class D: Understanding the Trade-Offs for Piezo Driver Design

In this article, we explore when to choose a Class AB or Class D output stage for your piezo amplifier design. We'll also examine the Class D stage's power supply requirements.


Design and Performance of the Class D Output Stage for Piezo Drivers

Design and Performance of the Class D Output Stage for Piezo Drivers

In this article, we explore the operation of a Class D stage with a capacitive load and how it can be used in piezo amplifier design.


Evaluating the Class AB Output Stage for Piezo Driver Design

Evaluating the Class AB Output Stage for Piezo Driver Design

We examine the basic requirements of piezoelectric amplifiers and how Class AB operation can meet them.


Constructing a Solar-Powered Snake Robot

Constructing a Solar-Powered Snake Robot

Learn how to create a batteryless crawling robot using basic electronic components and a 3D-printed chassis.


A Cortex-M Microcontroller-Enabled Electronic Timer: A Radio Shack Remix

A Cortex-M Microcontroller-Enabled Electronic Timer: A Radio Shack Remix

In this Radio Shack Classic Circuits Remix, we add modern microcontroller functionality to the vintage Electronic Timer project for the Science Fair 65-in-1 kit.


Projects Sep 15, 2024 by Don Wilcher
Understanding Inductors With Gapped Cores

Understanding Inductors With Gapped Cores

In this article, we explore the advantages of introducing an air gap to the magnetic core of an inductor.


The Wireless Alphabet Flasher: A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

The Wireless Alphabet Flasher: A Radio Shack Classics Circuit Remix

In this project, we mix the old and the new by integrating present-day BLE technology with a vintage Science Fair computer kit.


Projects Jul 21, 2024 by Don Wilcher
Using Permeability to Understand Magnetic Core Saturation

Using Permeability to Understand Magnetic Core Saturation

In this article, we learn about core saturation and why it should be avoided in most applications. We then examine how different ways of defining permeability can help us predict the saturation flux density of a magnetic core.


Understanding How Laminated Cores Reduce Eddy Current Loss

Understanding How Laminated Cores Reduce Eddy Current Loss

Eddy currents are a major loss mechanism in transformer cores. This article provides both in-depth and simplified explanations of how core laminations work to mitigate the effects of eddy currents.


Hysteresis Loss: Estimation, Modeling, and the Steinmetz Equation

Hysteresis Loss: Estimation, Modeling, and the Steinmetz Equation

The hysteresis effect is one of the main sources of loss in ferromagnetic materials. In this article, we learn to calculate the hysteresis loss of a magnetic core and work through some example problems.


Understanding Magnetic Field Energy and Hysteresis Loss in Magnetic Cores

Understanding Magnetic Field Energy and Hysteresis Loss in Magnetic Cores

In this article, we use the concept of magnetic field energy to explore the relationship between a core's hysteresis loss and its B-H curve.


Understanding the Effect of Eddy Currents on the High-Frequency Behavior of Magnetic Cores

Understanding the Effect of Eddy Currents on the High-Frequency Behavior of Magnetic Cores

The formation of eddy currents can cause problems for magnetic cores at high frequencies. To mitigate these undesirable effects, we first need to understand them.


Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic Materials Explained

Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic Materials Explained

This article examines three different types of magnetic materials and how they react to an external magnetic field.


Key Concepts of Magnetic Materials

Key Concepts of Magnetic Materials

This article discusses the following basic concepts related to magnetic materials: the magnetic dipole moment, magnetization vectors, susceptibility, and permeability.


Switching Losses in Bipolar Junction Transistors

Switching Losses in Bipolar Junction Transistors

With the help of SPICE simulations, we examine two types of power dissipation that occur when BJTs are used as switches.


Shake It Off! A Digital Drawing Pad Inspired by the Iconic Etch A Sketch

Shake It Off! A Digital Drawing Pad Inspired by the Iconic Etch A Sketch

In this project, which uses the Arduino IDE, we create and demonstrate a digital drawing pad using an ESP32-based e-paper display dev board, rotary encoders for drawing control, and an accelerometer for shake detection to initiate an erase.


Analyzing a Negative Voltage Charge Pump in LTspice—Source and Load Resistance

Analyzing a Negative Voltage Charge Pump in LTspice—Source and Load Resistance

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


Can Voltage Be Negative? Understanding Negative Voltage

Can Voltage Be Negative? Understanding Negative Voltage

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.


Introduction to MEMS Microphone Technology—Analog vs Digital Microphones

Introduction to MEMS Microphone Technology—Analog vs Digital Microphones

MEMS silicon microphones are in everything from cellphones, hearing aids, smart speakers, computers, and vehicles. Learn the basics of how they work, their use, and what’s available.