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Inductor Out, Op-Amp In: An Introduction to Second-Order Active Filters

Inductor Out, Op-Amp In: An Introduction to Second-Order Active Filters

In this article, we’ll compare active and passive filters and look at some common second-order active topologies.


Choosing the Right Oscillator for Your Microcontroller

Choosing the Right Oscillator for Your Microcontroller

Internal or external? Quartz or ceramic? Crystal oscillator or silicon oscillator? So many clocking options . . . which one is right for your design?


Easier PCB Design: EAGLE CAD Tips and Tricks Part 2

Easier PCB Design: EAGLE CAD Tips and Tricks Part 2

Most hobbyists and many professionals use EAGLE CAD as a daily tool in designing schematics and laying out PCB. I’m going to share with you more of the most important tips and tricks for using EAGLE CAD, which make my work much easier and faster.


FIR Filter Design by Windowing: Concepts and the Rectangular Window

FIR Filter Design by Windowing: Concepts and the Rectangular Window

In this article, we'll review the basic concepts in digital filter design. We'll also briefly discuss the advantages of FIR filters over IIR designs, e.g. stability and linear-phase response. Finally, we'll go over an introduction to designing FIR filters via the window method.


Choosing the Right LDO: Beyond the Basic Specs

Choosing the Right LDO: Beyond the Basic Specs

Learn about some of those less-than-obvious specifications found in datasheets for linear voltage regulators.


Easier PCB Design: EAGLE CAD Tips and Tricks

Easier PCB Design: EAGLE CAD Tips and Tricks

Most hobbyists and many professionals use EAGLE CAD as a daily tool in designing schematics and laying out PCB. You're going to learn some tips and tricks for using EAGLE CAD, which will make your work much easier and faster.


Characteristics of the Ideal Silicon Diode

Characteristics of the Ideal Silicon Diode

In this article, we will discuss some characteristics of the ideal diode. We'll also learn how to analyze circuits that contain more than one ideal diode in conjunction with resistors and DC power sources.


Classification of Signals used in Electrical Engineering

Classification of Signals used in Electrical Engineering

Classifying signals is a way to organize the signals that surround us. It focuses design, testing requirements, measurement tools, and expected results. There are many ways to classify signals!


Low-Pass Filter a PWM Signal into an Analog Voltage

Low-Pass Filter a PWM Signal into an Analog Voltage

In this article we will take a closer look at how to effectively low-pass filter a PWM signal into an analog voltage.


Characteristics of Operational Amplifiers

Characteristics of Operational Amplifiers

One of the reasons the operation amp (op-amp) is so reputable is because of its versatility. In this article, you will see that almost anything can be done using an op-amp. It is also notable that this integrated circuit has many characteristics that approach those that are considered to be ideal.


How to Buffer an Op-Amp Output for Higher Current, Part 2

How to Buffer an Op-Amp Output for Higher Current, Part 2

In this article, we will look at two variations on the basic BJT current-buffering circuit.


Thermal Design with Linear Voltage Regulators

Thermal Design with Linear Voltage Regulators

Will your linear regulator function properly under all possible operating conditions? To find out, you need to understand power dissipation and thermal resistance.


C-BISCUIT Power: Crowbar Protection Circuit for 5V Regulator

C-BISCUIT Power: Crowbar Protection Circuit for 5V Regulator

Over-voltage and over-current protection circuit for use with the C-BISCUIT platform's main computer, the Wandboard.


Projects Mar 09, 2016 by Patrick Lloyd
Program a PIC Microcontroller as an I2C Slave Device for Custom Sensor and I/O Interfacing

Program a PIC Microcontroller as an I2C Slave Device for Custom Sensor and I/O Interfacing

No I2C interface with that sensor? No problem. Program a PIC chip as an I2C slave device for custom sensor and I/O interfacing. Here, we use three DHT22 sensors on a single I2C interface.


C-BISCUIT: Design Choices and Justification

C-BISCUIT: Design Choices and Justification

While the C-BISCUIT project is far from complete, it's already come a long way, seeing numerous ideas and design goals in the process. This article will discuss some of these.


Projects Feb 10, 2016 by Trevor Gamblin
Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 1: The Circuit

Embedded PID Temperature Control, Part 1: The Circuit

Invoke the power of the PID (proportional–integral–derivative controller)! The key components in this design are an EFM8 microcontroller, a DAC, and the MAX31855 thermocouple-to-digital converter.


Projects Feb 01, 2016 by Robert Keim
Practical FIR Filter Design: Part 2 - Implementing Your Filter

Practical FIR Filter Design: Part 2 - Implementing Your Filter

Implementing a FIR filter designed in Octave or Matlab on an N-bit microprocessor


How to Eliminate Ground Loops with Signal Isolation

How to Eliminate Ground Loops with Signal Isolation

This project explains how to isolate signals to eliminate ground loops in electronic systems.


Projects Jan 29, 2016 by Orrin Bigelow
Using Scilab GUI for RGB and Lux Measurements

Using Scilab GUI for RGB and Lux Measurements

Gather data via USB from a BH1745NUC optical sensor and then display color characteristics and illuminance values.


Projects Jan 28, 2016 by Robert Keim
Practical FIR Filter Design: Part 1 - Design with Octave or Matlab

Practical FIR Filter Design: Part 1 - Design with Octave or Matlab

A simple introduction to designing FIR filters in Octave or Matlab