Latest Industrial Automation Technical Articles

Assessing Conductor and Dielectric Losses in Transmission Lines

Understanding the causes of attenuation in a transmission line can help us choose the right solutions for our application. In this article, we’ll learn about attenuation caused by conductor loss and dielectric loss.

September 15, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Demystifying the Skin Effect: Insights into AC Current Distribution

This article will demonstrate that the AC current density decreases exponentially into a conductor. It will also explain why we can assume that the total current has a uniform distribution from the surface down to one skin depth of the conductor.

August 06, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

What is an Application-specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)?

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.

June 14, 2023 by Robert Keim

Controlling a Potentiometer-based Servo Motor Using a M5Stack Core

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

June 04, 2023 by Don Wilcher

What is an Image Processor? Turns Out the Answer is Hazy

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.

June 02, 2023 by Robert Keim

Characterize RF Noise Components Using Equivalent Noise Temperature

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

May 28, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Understanding the RF Noise Figure Specification

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

May 07, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Introduction to Impedance Matching Using Transmission Line Elements

Learn about an impedance-matching technique using transmission line elements.

April 23, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Design a Two-element Matching Network Using the ZY Smith Chart

Learn about the immittance Smith chart (ZY Smith chart), the effect of adding series and parallel components, impedance matching, and finding a two-element matching network.

March 31, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Multiphase DC-DC Converter Pros and Cons

This article will help you decide when to consider a multiphase approach to step-down, switch-mode voltage regulation.

March 19, 2023 by Robert Keim

Learn to Build a Photoelectric Sensor System Using an Arduino Uno and OpenPLC

Since photoelectric sensing can be achieved with electrical, electromechanical, and electronic components, learn to build, test, and implement a prototype photoelectric switch using off-the-shelf components with Arduino OpenPLC.

March 12, 2023 by Don Wilcher

Reducing Quantization Distortion Via Subtractive and Non-subtractive Dithering

Learn how dithering can suppress both harmonic and non-harmonic spurs and two different types of dithering systems: subtractive and non-subtractive topologies.

February 24, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Exploring the Basics of Bluetooth Low Energy: A Beginners Guide To BLE

Learn about the Bluetooth low energy (BLE) wireless communication protocol, namely its features, protocol stack, and how it communicates with devices.

February 19, 2023 by Nthatisi Hlapisi

Mismatch Loss Effect on RF Power Measurement and Gain of Cascaded Amplifiers

Using the mismatch loss equations, learn about the effect of mismatch loss on RF power measurement and the gain of cascaded amplifiers.

February 15, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Mismatch Loss and Mismatch Uncertainty in RF Systems

Learn more about RF wave reflection parameters, namely mismatch loss and mismatch uncertainty.

February 10, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

RF Design Basics: VSWR, Return Loss, and Mismatch Loss

Learn about voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), return loss, and mismatch loss, which helps characterize the wave reflections in a radio frequency (RF) design.

February 05, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar